My Writing Tips

How-To: Plot

I'm not very good a planning out a plot, but if you are- kudos to you!

If not- that's why I made this chapter.

I'm not good a planning a plot, yes, but I am good at gathering and hording ideas. I tend to stockpile my plot pieces then try and string them together until all of them flow from one event to another with as few hiccups as possible (ideally none). Keep in mind when using this method though- some scenes may change slightly or could be removed altogether. It just depends on how you link one plot piece to another. And don't worry- this happens all the time. It's part of editing your work. (It kinds sucks though when you had a really great or comedic scene all planned out and it didn't go how you might think it would.)

Some ways I gather ideas are through pictures (or fanart if you're doing a fanfiction), reading other works, listening to music that fits a particular scene or mood, and sometimes I straight up daydream to think up a plot. (You don't have to use my methods, but you're more than welcome to use them!)

It's always fun to play the "What If-?" game when making up a plot.

What if that character didn't do the thing? Or what if they had to go through this trial? What would happen if so-and-so didn't do that task? (I hope my phrasing makes sense, it kinda sounds weird but oh well.)

One thing that's always good to have in mind is a point A (your beginning), a point B (the stuff that goes on in the middle) and a point C (your ending). This can work for your overarching story and you can even use it for smaller scenes within your story.

For example, your MC becomes a hero- that's your point A. Next for point B is your turning point- something happens, causing a change in your MC's daily life or maybe a collision with an archenemy, then you end on point C- your MC defeats their enemy and save the day!

For a smaller scene it might look something like this: MC stops by a coffee shop to get a drink. (A) They order and maybe chat with the barista while their order is being made (B). MC takes the drink and leaves the café (C). It's the same concept just on a smaller scale.

Good luck writing! ^⌣^