Developing Plots in Fiction
By Jeannette De Beauvoir
Some novels are character-driven: the author develops a protagonist and other secondary
and tertiary characters, and allows them to guide the storyline. These authors never know in
advance how their novel will end, which can be rather... exciting, to say the least.
What's in a plot?
Other novels are plot-driven, and while there are obviously variations on a theme, there
are certain elements that enable a plot to move forward. Here's one possible progression through
a plot-driven novel:
• state an obvious problem
• discover a hidden need for the protagonist
• create an inciting situation
• introduce complications
• cause characters to lose hope
• enable protagonist to reach a decision
• bring situation to a resolution
That's all very stark, of course, and writing is not usually that tidy. But essentially
your protagonist needs to want something ("solving a problem" is another way of saying that)
and the reader needs to have a sense of why the character wants it. For example, in a typical
mystery novel, the protagonist needs to solve the robbery, murder, abduction, etc.-the initial
problem is clear. But there needs to be something beyond that problem to truly engage readers.
Why does this crime resonate so much with this detective? Is something from their past resurfacing?
Is solving it in some way a favor to a friend or loved one? Providing that secondary, hidden
motivation is where your novel becomes both more complex and more appealing.
The story arc
Plots traditionally - and for good reason - follow what's known as a "story arc." There's
a reason it's called an arc: the plot begins at point A, moves more and more quickly to the
top of the arc at Point B, and then a dénouement moves it into some sort of resolution back
down at Point C. The building up of tension, suspense, and conflict, which occurs between A
and B, is really the main focus of the arc; once resolution comes, the story should end. No
one really wants to know what happens after the protagonists ride off together into the sunset:
happy characters and situations make for dull reading.
The story arc doesn't just fall down into your lap from the heavens: it's built, one
step at a time, scene by scene, chapter by chapter. Even if you're more focused on the characters
and less on the plot, you still need to have a sense of what Point C will look like. That can
change, and often does; but you need to at least have something at which to aim.
Merging plot development with character development
Just as you create a story arc, you must also create character arcs. If your protagonist
is the same at the end of the book as they were at the beginning, then they've failed to be
interesting, evolving... human. You're not the same person at the end of the book that you
were when you started writing it, and neither is your character. Allow them to grow, to change,
to make mistakes, to experience joy... all the things that make them into a real person who
can then participate fully in the story arc.
Keep it moving
Whatever your plot, it needs to catch and hold the reader's interest, which won't happen
unless what is happening now is more interesting than what happened a few pages back. This
is known in fiction as forward movement, and it's your first, middle, and last responsibility.
No plot will work if it isn't compelling; no character will work unless the reader can't wait
to see what happens to them next. Make sure that your plots and your characters work together
to keep the reader turning pages, and one day you'll receive the best accolade of all: "I couldn't
put it down!"
Want help developing your plots? Jeannette de Beauvoir works with writers from conception
to publication as an editor, writing coach, book shepherd and publishing consultant. Contact
her at jeannettedebeauvoir@gmail.com.
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