I am now plotting my third book. Have you honed your method of plotting a new book or are you still juggling thoughts and methods to organize them?
Here is a list of some plotting plans I've explored. I used parts of more than one to plot my books and these work for those who write by the seat of the pants or those who love outlining.
1) Authors Boot Camp Manuel from Seekerville blog
2)
Snowflake method by Randy Ingermanson
3) Carolyn Greene, The Plot Doctor, "Prescription for Plotting"
4) MaryLu Tyndall’s method
4) MaryLu Tyndall’s method
1)
The detailed Authors Boot Camp Manual
can be found at
There are tons of links compiled for every
aspect of plotting and writing a book!
And its all free—the best articles from
some of the best authors.
2)
The Snowflake Method by Randy Ingermanson. Find 10 detailed steps at:
Randy, a former software architect, lists 10 Steps that he compares to a snowflake in building a novel. He has a software program on it and a detailed book you can purchase here Grab your copy here on Amazon. (Kindle or paper)
Here are the first 4 steps briefly which he
covers in detail on his site and in his book.
Step 1 - Take an hour and write a one sentence
summary of your novel idea. This will be your fast pitch to editors and agents.
Ex. “A rogue physicist
travels back in time to kill the Apostle Paul.”
Step 2 - Take another hour and expand that sentence into a full
paragraph describing the story setup, 3 major disasters, and the ending.
Step 3 – Characters: Write a one-page summary for each character telling
their name, their storyline, their motivation, goal, conflict, and
epiphany (Details on site and in book)
Step 4 – Expand each sentence in your
paragraph summary into a full paragraph each. The final paragraph should tell how the book ends.
3) Carolyn Green, the Plot Doctor "Prescription for Plotting" This is a great workbook full of plotting information and forms to fill in. This has been a great help to me. Unfortunately, I don't seem to be able to find a web site for this
workbook, but you can google her name and find some information about her.
4) MaryLu Tyndall’s basic method: (Start with research)
workbook, but you can google her name and find some information about her.
4) MaryLu Tyndall’s basic method: (Start with research)
1) Do detailed main character sketches, add photos and index cards with basics
2) Write synopsis of basic story
line
3) Write the first draft down fast
in creative mode. No editing or research details. Get
the main plot points down.
4) Rewrite/expand adding the polish:
research details, sharpen deep point of view, 5 senses,more conflict, end each
chapter with cliff hanger.
5) Edit for final draft
6) She keeps three docs to pull up
in computer:
a)Chapter by Chapter summary which she puts together with the first
draft
b) A To-Remember Doc which list things she needs to keep track of like how long was someone married, or
deceased. What battles they fought
in. What year did their brother, mother, or dad die, etc.
c) Add-in Doc – lists all the extra ideas that she comes up with while doing other stuff that she wants
to add in later.
MaryLu's writing advice has been a real help to me.
MaryLu's writing advice has been a real help to me.
How do you plot your books? Hope this information has helped you choose a method if you don't have one. Do leave a comment and share this blog.
Blessings on your plotting!
Elva Cobb Martin
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