Just Be There Blog

5 steps for a successful plotted story

First off, I don't traditionally rely on outlining when I write. I am a spontaneous, freewriter by nature. However, with my continual slump where that spontaneity is elusive, I have used the outline format to 'force' the story out. I do this when I must meet a deadline and I have writer's block. My writer's block consists of no words flowing--rarely do I have idea lapses. I generally always know where I want my story to go and what my character(s) must do to achieve a happy or sad ending. I just don't always have the joy of having the words flow which will paint the story portrait as I envision it. So I've learned to turn to the Plotted Story outline--

Plotted Story: A Complete Definition

1) A plotted story consists of a situation that is problematic.

2) There are attempts to alleviate the situation or get rid of it, which

3) usually fail and makes the probem worse.

4)There is a crisis where all seems lost.

5) Then there is the final solution that resolves the problem and changes the situation.


Step one is introduced in the Beginning of the story; The Middle of the story is about steps 2 & 3 with the beginning of step 4 at the end of the middle. The end of the story winds up step 4 and completes step 5.

One could effectively outline a plotted story in five Major listings with the second and third listings being the bulk of your story. For instance:
The outline:

I State the Major problematic situation
         A Introduce main character who will be most affected by the problem
                   1) Introduce 1st subplot and 1st secondary character
                   2) Before the end of Beginning have Main Character resolve subplot with
                   hints of how this resolution complicates the resolution of main plot.
         B Introduce secondary character(s)
                   1) with their roles concerning how they may
                   2) assist or
                   3) interfere with the Main character.
         C Optional to introduce the villian/antagonist toward the end of the Beginning

II Setup the first and subsequent attempts of resolving the Major problematic situation--this is the Beginning of the Middle story.
         A Show main character's internal struggles as the result of failing to resolve the
         problem
                   1) Second subplot which interferes with main plot resolution--with
                   {secondary characters playing their roles of help or hinder
                   2) Third subplot which interferes with main plot resolution--with
                   secondary characters playing their roles of help or hinder
         B Main character confused or puzzeled by increasing struggle and hinderances
                   to resolve main situation.
                   1) subplot four
                             a) secondary character assisting antagonist found out and
                             dispatched
                             b) antagonist actions/reactions
                   2) subplot five
                             a) secondary character assisting antagonist found out and
                             dispatched
                             b) antagonist actions/reactions
III Setup the subsequent and final attempts of resolving the Major problematic situation--this is the middle and ending of the Middle story.
         A Continuing main character's internal struggles
                   1) subplot six
                             a) secondary character assisting protagonist, but for their own
                             agenda--either defeated by protagonist's resolution or benefiting
                             from protagonist's resolution.
                             b) antagonist actions/reactions
                   2) final barrier to the main problem is resolved at a devasting cost to
                   the main character and
                             a) a secondary character assisting pays for the failure
                             b) antagonist actions/reactions
IV Setup the Climax for resolving the Major problematic situation--ending of the Middle story.
         A Show main character's struggles as the result of failure
         B Show Emboldened antagonist--set up for final confrontation
                   1) Final subplot which interferes with main plot resolution--
                   2) Cost of resolving this final subplot
V Resolution of the Climax--the End story.
         A Show Antagonist final confrontation--antagonist can only win
         B Show main character's final decision and willingness to die fighting the
         impossible odds--
                   1) Final Antagonist actions and fate
                   2) The final cost and reward (if any) to the protagonist
                   3) Show how the main situation as well as the main character have
                   changed