My last book almost killed me. I thought I had things plotted, but it was weak, weak, weak. The thing about a weak plot is that after you get through the first act, it rears its ugly head and refuses to be beaten down until fully addressed. I kept slapping bandages on it. My hero wasn’t alpha enough. Fixed that, and kept writing…hit another wall. Honestly, it was until I only had about two chapters left to write that I figured everything out.
Then I had to go back and fix everything. This is not my preferred way of writing. I like to write linearly. I don’t have to know every detail of what is going to happen, but I do need to clearly understand my characters goals, motivations and conflicts. And for a book to be the easiest to write these have to be strong. A book with a weak conflict is not only a boring book to read, it is a darn hard book to write.
So, today I am plotting what will be my last book in my current contract–book 6 in the Unbound series. I know the hero–he first appears in Dark Crusade. I know the heroine–she also appears in Dark Crusade. Now I just have to nail down what both of them want and what is stopping them from getting it. That is the goal (what the character wants), their motivation (why they want it) and their conflict (what is stopping them from getting it). If they don’t REALLY want something, hopefully NEED something, there is no book. If their reason for wanting this something could easily go away, there may be a book, but it is going to be weak–probably an eye roller. If there is nothing stopping them from getting it–then what is the point? You are just reading a day in the life…or a travelogue. There is nothing compelling about either of those.
So, today I will set down with my stack of paper. I will define what each of these characters want and why. And I will decide who and what is stopping them from getting it–and try to make all as desperate and strong as I can. Then I will start what most people probably think of as plotting. I’ll use my handy dandy form for turning points, and write out ideas for major scenes. Each of these scenes will have to rotate around those goals, motivations and conflict. And I will hit a few walls, so I will take a step back and think some more. Then I will write a very rough synopsis. And then, by Monday hopefully, I will start writing the book.
But this time, I am not going to force myself to keep writing if the GMC (goal, motivation, conflict) and the adversaries are not clear. Because it just isn’t worth it….
Zombie Moon
Best of Luck… Tackle your task!
by Colleen January 29th, 2009 at 11:44 amIt sounds like you have a great plan. Good luck with the book!
by Karin January 29th, 2009 at 5:54 pmWonderful blog post. Have a great weekend and fun starting your new book.
by Bethanne January 30th, 2009 at 9:42 amSo many of your fellow writers out there can sympathize Lori. Though as a reader of your work as well, I am fairly confident that this will all work out and the world will be blessed with another great read.
Sending hugs and luck your way!
by Moira Keith January 30th, 2009 at 5:34 pmWhen I was teaching, it was considered sophisticated to say that plot was the least imortant of a fiction writer’s “tools.” Of far greater importance was style, characterization, ambiguity–don’t lay out your objectives too clearly–murky is better, far more “artistic” to say less not more, have the reader participate in creating the story as he goes along.
Well fads, like hemlines, change and a good plot can’t be underestimated. Who doesn’t love a good story with a clearly defined (and understood) beginning, middle and end. Which is not to say that you Micky Mouse your material, but you give plot its due, so agonizing about making your story arc strong is a good thing, IMHO. Currently I’m trying to bring the third book in my historical series to a close. I’m working on a harrowing childbirth scene so the book ends not with a whimper but a scream. Not the mother, me! Yippe I’ve finished it But now I’m ramblimg . . . .
by jean Harrington January 31st, 2009 at 12:02 pmJean Harrington
THE BAREFOOT QUEEN
soon, too,
IN THE LION’S MOUTH
and then, perhaps,
A WILD COLONIAL GIRL