 For Authors: November 20, 2012 Issue [#5371] |
  For Authors
This week: Step two in becoming a better writer Edited by: Vivian  
More Newsletters By This Editor 
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
My last issue I talked about the first step in becoming a better writer - knowing the writing craft including knowing correct grammar, sentence structure, etc. This issue, we go to step 2: Fiction writing needs a plot.
|
| ASIN: 1542722411 |
|
Amazon's Price: $ 12.99
|
|
A Story Requires a Plot
A story without a plot is like bread without yeast: It is flat, a narrative, a scene, or a descriptive essay - not a story. Therefore to have a story (whether short story or novel), a writer needs to have a plot to make the framework of his/her story.
So what is a plot? A plot is the causal sequence of events, the why for things that happen. It can be broken down into four components, all which must be included:
1. Exposition - info needed to understand a story
2. Complication - catalyst that begins major conflict -- MUST have conflict
3. Climax - the turning point in story, complication resolved or solvency attempted
4. Resolution - events that bring the story to a close (and not just writing "The End")
Stories in the past had long paragraphs with detailed expository. Those stories told readers what happened. However, today's readers don't accept such writing. Pages of "telling" bore readers. Authors must grab the reader's attention and keep it throughout.
So how does an author develop a good plot, add leavening for a light, tasty loaf/story? Activity advances and enhances the plot, makes it work. Actions do speak louder than words, and especially in what people read.
A good writer uses/allows characters to "show" the story. No, that doesn't mean writing in first person, although a writer can. Characters showing the story means to write from the character's or characters' perspective. When writing in third person (the narrator is not a character in the story), an author can change perspective from one character to another from one scene or chapter to another.
Action, activity, showing from a character's or characters' perspective with all the components required for a plot builds a better story. Plot means a story that isn't flat.
Character development is directly connected to plot. Character movement and dialogue advance the plot without boring the reader. We will discuss this next time. |
Writings from W.Com
I don't always include any of my writings, but I think this item is appropriate.
|
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: B07YXBT9JT |
Product Type: Kindle Store
|
Amazon's Price: $ 4.99
|
|
| ASIN: B07N36MHWD |
Product Type: Kindle Store
|
Amazon's Price: $ 7.99
|
|
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.
|
This printed copy is for your personal use only. Reproduction
of this work in any other form is not allowed and does violate its copyright. |
View Portfolio
Visit Notebook
Send Gift Points
Awards
Badges
Send Email
