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Plot Whisperer for Writers and Readers
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International plot consultant reflects on the development of plot for writers and achieving maximum reader connection and enjoyment.
I practice with the belief that the more integrated plot in writers' bodies and story structure in reader's p
Recent Posts Tagged With 'character emotional development'
The Importance of Character
A dear, dear friend asked me what I thought of an editor's comments regarding her latest book. Having been told that the book did not have a wide enough appeal to a general audience but rather more valued by family and friends who could fill in t...
How Much Plot is Too Much Plot?
Question: I know the entire story. I'm just not sure how much to tell.Answer:Tell only the parts that show more about: 1) the character emotional development -- this info should come in stages, revealing deeper and deeper layer, the deeper and dee...
Character Transformation
The moment the protagonist is hit with the decision whether to change or remain the same either comes at the:1/2 way point (based on the page or scene count) or3/4 mark or the Crisis In some stories, the character emotional development plot line (CE...
One Plot Strand Stronger than Another
As an addendum to Plot or No Plot, I'd like to clarify the Plotless...When I say literary novels are plotless, what I mean is that the Character Emotional Development plot-line is at the fore and drives the story. Dramatic Action is present, though ...
Day One -- National Plot Writing Month
Welcome!Today begins a month-long opportunity to craft a draft of your writing into a story. First, take time to congratulate yourself! You've done what many have talked and dreamed of doing -- you've written an entire story from beginning to end. Ce...
No-plot, Really No Problem??
I recently received the following:"I've a topic for you. What about the no-plot novel? I've always argued that a novel doesn't need a plot as long as it has a point, also there's the whole "character is plot" argument. The plots in my books are neith...
Do Characters Talk to You?
Hi Martha,Here's a question that I'm almost too embarrassed to ask.My SceneTracker is strong from Chapter 1 Scene 1 through Chapter 3 Scene 7. I have the big scene for Chapter 5 Scene 15.It's the empty 7 scenes between that is making me anxious and d...
Drowning in Meaning
One of the most fascinating aspects of being a plot coach for writers is learning about other writers' writing process. Usually, I find that writers have a preference for communicating their projects through one plotline initially over the other thre...
Subject: Help!!
I have purchased and read your book "Blockbuster plots pure and simple" and I still don't understand. I'm starting with a basic logline for a plot and don't know how you come up with scenes if you don't even know what the story is about. It would s...
Plot Question and Answer
Loads of plot consultations this month. Writers scramble to achieve this year's goals, before it's too late....Haven't had time to debrief here, what with the holidays. But I was just feeling on top of Christmas, had a quiet moment, and decided to ta...
Changing POV
Q: My current story has my two main characters. The P.O.V. shifts from one to another in alternating chapters as the chase continues to a surprising climactic ending. I have written a plot summary (chapter by chapter so I know where it is going) an...
Elements of Plot
The following are questions that came up after the last post. Thought the questions and answers might help other writers so I include them below. Happy plotting...Q: So basically it’s the scene(s) in the climax section that we have to watch out for...
