Whether you're just starting as a writer or looking for additional tips on the craft, Writing Is Hard serves as a collection of advice and tricks learned while writing here on Wattpad. Everything from reads to general grammar tips, this novel will h...
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PLOTTING
Whether you're a plotter, a pantser, or something in between, plotting is a technique that you'll want to have at least heard of. Even if you abhor the idea of plotting, you'll want to ensure that your novel or piece has some type of structure. And why is that?
Why It's Important
Without some type of plot or structure to your piece, especially as you're writing, you'll find you're mostly wandering through that first draft. Though it may not be obvious, you'll discover readers enjoy and come to expect structure to the books they read. Not only that, but if you're wandering through your story, you can best bet that your readers are as well. And as much as we want readers to get lost in our novels, we'll want to make sure they at least have a tour guide to show them the way. Your plot is that tour guide. Without it, you risk losing your readers, literally and figuratively.
Why It's Also Okay Not To Have It (In Detail)
At this point, my pantser friends are probably trying to shoot me through the screen. Plotting IS important, no matter what kind of writer you are. But for those of us who dislike the idea of planning everything out, fear not. You do not have to worry about ensuring everything is carefully analyzed, arranged, and in place in your first draft. Your first draft is where you tell yourself the story—whether it's plotted out or not. Remember, anything can be edited and adjusted. However, for those of us who prefer to simply dive right into the novel, know that there is a way to write without plotting everything out. And for goodness sake, don't let yourself use plotting as an excuse not to get that first draft going.
What Do I Need To Know?
Whether you've been imagining your story for the last 8 years, or the last 8 minutes, there are a few key items or concepts that you'll need to know before you get going: character, goal, and conflict.
Character: If anyone can point me to a fiction book without a single character, I would applaud you. Every single fiction book has a character moving throughout the story. Your job as the author is to know this character. It is okay to know every detail of this character before you begin, and it's also okay to only know the basics. But no matter what, you'll need to know who the story is about. Who is driving this story? Who's journey are we following?
Goal: Once we have that, we'll need to know what their goal is. What do they want? What do they need? What are they striving for? A reader isn't going to want to read about Rachel, a girl who lives her day to day. A reader is going to want to read about Rachel, a girl who's trying to find a way to pay for her mother's heart transplant, while living her day to day. Rachel's writer gave Rachel a goal. Be like Rachel's writer.
Conflict: Now that we have a goal, we'll need a conflict. It's sad that Rachel's mother needs a heart transplant, but if three chapters in, Rachel already has the money and a donor, then why are we still reading? What's stopping Rachel from getting that money and that donor? What is in the character's way? Your conflict is important to know in that it will be the tool in which you'll be able to add suspense, up the tension, and, most importantly, keep your readers reading.
Character, Goal, Conflict. Got It. Now What?
In addition to a character, a goal, and a conflict, there's a general story structure that you'll want to be cognizant of. Some writers meticulously prep and plan their story structure. Others keep the idea in their head and see where the story takes them.
So what is this story structure? It's the three Acts, and it's a structure that you've no doubt seen in numerous books and movies.
BEHOLD: The Three Act Structure
Act One: This is the Act in which your reader is introduced to your world, to the character, and to the journey they're about to embark on. This is the Act in which the reader learns about the character's life, what their goal is, and what is in their way. Act One often ends after what is the "inciting incident." That being, the incident that changes the main character's life, or spurs the main character into action.
Act Two: This is the longest Act. Our hero is now in motion or has been spurred into action because of the inciting incident. This is also where we're introduced to the supporting characters, the love interest and an antagonist. For our friend Rachel mentioned earlier, this is the Act in which she's found out that her mother has a debt with a local gang who's come to collect their dues. It's also the Act in which she meets our dashing love interest, a young biker from the local gang (and oh look, he just moved in next door. Convenient!). This is the act where most of the movement lies, which is why you'll often find it to be the longest and also the hardest. When writers talk about the dreaded middle, this is the Act they're referring to. Now that our hero has had their inciting incident and there are new characters and conflict around them, your reader will want to see how the hero deals with the new surroundings, the new world, and how they slowly change and grow as a character. This is where our friend Rachel comes to terms with her mother borrowing money from the local gang and also when she begins to see the gang in a different light because of our cute love interest. This is also where Rachel learns more about her mother's past, and discovers that her mother tried to keep her daughter away from the biker gang life she grew up in.
Near the end of Act Two, the bad guys usually close in. Where the gang finds Rachel's carefully saved funds and steals the money for themselves. This is the Act where all is lost. Where Rachel realizes that she has no money, no donor, and no way to save her mother who is only days from her last breaths.
Act Three: This is the beginning of the end or where the story slowly winds down. It's also where our hero has their epiphany moment. This is where the hero discovers what they must do, and how they can make things right. For our friend Rachel, this is when all her friends come together to raise money for her mother. It's also when a mysterious donor makes themselves known. Rachel gets her money, a donor, and her mother back. Act Three is also the act in which the reader sees the hero has learned something different than they had at the beginning. The bad guys are taken care of, the hero has grown as a character, and now the hero is exactly where they need to be. And look, they're doing much better than they were at the beginning of the novel! Act Three often closes with one final image of who the hero is now and gives the reader an idea of the hero's ending.
Now, keep in mind that this structure is a guide. It is not a secret that other stories have been told outside this structure. But you'll find this structure works nicely in ensuring your character is growing while also keeping your readers right there with you. And that's what we really want!
Tying It All Together
Whether you're utilizing the Three Act Structure outlined above and making notes before you begin your draft, or just keeping this concept in the back of your mind as you go, it's important to note that you are plotting. Good job writer! Your readers will thank you.
