\"Writing.Com
*Magnify*
SPONSORED LINKS
BY ONLINE AUTHORS
Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/10942
Action/Adventure: September 15, 2021 Issue [#10942]




 This week: Bingo Card of Plot Points
  Edited by: NaNoNette Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Recently, my noticed that several TV shows use a set of "Bingo Card of Plot Points" as coined by my Second Son. This does not seem to lead to dull storytelling. Instead, it creates a whole new way to experience fiction.


Word from our sponsor

ASIN: B083RZ37SZ
Product Type:
Amazon's Price: Price N/A
Not currently available.


Letter from the editor

Bingo Card of Plot Points


As a writer and hoping to publish my own stories at some point, I have started consuming stories in a different way. Whether in book form or on TV, I can't unsee certain expected story beats. It has come to a point where I will greet a character who walks onto the scene with "There you are." because I knew that his/her character type was an ingredient to a specific type of story.

A while ago, I came across a TV show from France that has three seasons that drew me in. I found three more TV shows with so many similar plot points that my Second Son coined the term "Bingo Card of Plot Points." As we discussed more, we eventually realized that several of those plot points are from David Lynch's "Twin Peaks" series from the 1990s.

With my knowledge and expectations of the plot points in mind, I watched the first three episodes of Twin Peaks. It became a game to call out plot points that I recognized from the French TV shows. For comparison, we then watched the first episode of one of the French shows. It quickly became clear that the French creators had used the whole bingo card from Twin Peaks, but they also added a second card (or a third card) that we haven't been able to track to one specific, iconic show or movie.

Some examples of Bingo Card Plot Points are:
*Bullet* Local police officer deals with the murder of a teen girl who first went missing and then turns up dead.
*Bullet* Higher ranking law officer or agent comes to town to solve the crime.
*Bullet* There is a thick forest between the town and the next town.
*Bullet* In the modern versions, the towns always have terrible (or no) internet.
*Bullet* Someone is missing a limb or fingers.
*Bullet* Children (or teens or young adults) cause trouble in the forest.
*Bullet* There has to be a bear in the story.

As writers here on Writing.Com, we have all at least seen contests that ask for the use of prompts to create a story or poem. For the most part, the prompt requirement will be a phrase, a keyword, or a sentence.

What would it be like if several writers were each given a set of 25 plot elements that have to be included in a story? Would we all write something similar or would we come up with wildly different stories?

I found the TV shows to all give me that familiar, "Here is another element I recognize" feeling. At the same time, the shows were very different in their stories that weren't set beforehand by the preset plot points.


Editor's Picks

 
STATIC
A Forest's Deep Secret Open in new Window. (13+)
Two high school girls go for a hike in the woods, and encountered something unexplainable.
#1780131 by Jeannie Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1684401 by Not Available.

 
STATIC
The Making of a Monster Open in new Window. (13+)
Echid's accident was only the beginning of a new life.
#1708265 by BScholl Author IconMail Icon

 
STATIC
Hostage Crisis Open in new Window. (18+)
In a world of genetic freaks, Abe attempts to rescue two captive children.
#955043 by Bilal Latif Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2251849 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2248491 by Not Available.

STATIC
Throne of Tides Open in new Window. (13+)
Sunpea was fourteen when she saw her first lunatic
#2086282 by Tileira Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#2222974 by Not Available.

 
STATIC
Orchids In Orbit Open in new Window. (13+)
The ascension to sovereignty proved hard for a beetle devoid of flowers.
#2217592 by Laurie Razor Author IconMail Icon

 
Submit an item for consideration in this newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Word from Writing.Com

Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
         https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form

Don't forget to support our sponsor!

ASIN: 0910355479
Amazon's Price: $ 13.99


Ask & Answer

Reply to my last Action/Adventure newsletter "Elements of Adventure Writing" Open in new Window.

Monty Author Icon wrote: A fine news letter pertains to all forms of writing.

Thank you for your comment.

*Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet* Don't Be Shy! Write Into This Newsletter! *Bullet* *Bullet* *Bullet*

This form allows you to submit an item on Writing.Com and feedback, comments or questions to the Writing.Com Newsletter Editors. In some cases, due to the volume of submissions we receive, please understand that all feedback and submissions may not be responded to or listed in a newsletter. Thank you, in advance, for any feedback you can provide!
Writing.Com Item ID To Highlight (Optional):

Send a comment or question to the editor!
Limited to 2,500 characters.
Word from our sponsor
ASIN: B07RKLNKH7
Amazon's Price: $ 0.99

Removal Instructions

To stop receiving this newsletter, click here for your newsletter subscription list. Simply uncheck the box next to any newsletter(s) you wish to cancel and then click to "Submit Changes". You can edit your subscriptions at any time.


Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/10942