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Category Archives: Plot
Throughlines and How to Use Them!
Some time ago I write an article that described the difference between the two basic forms of story structure with the following phrase: You spin a tale, but you weave a story. The common expression “spinning a yarn” conjures up … Continue reading
Posted in Novel Writing, Plot, Writing Tip of the Day
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How to Structure Your Story’s Signposts
First let me define what signposts are in stories and then provide a few hints on how to structure them. Signposts are the markers that separate one act from another. Think about any well structured story you’ve read or seen … Continue reading
Posted in Signposts & Journeys
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Structuring Your Story’s Limit
In order to create tension in your audience, you will want to establish a limit to the story. This limit will indicate to the audience what will bring the story to a moment of truth, either running out of time … Continue reading
Posted in Plot Dynamics
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What Chases Your Characters?
A goal is what the characters chase, but what chases the characters? Answer: the Consequences. Consequences double the dramatic tension in a story by providing a negative result if the goal is not achieved. Consequences may be emotional or logistic, but … Continue reading
Posted in Plot Points
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Be Clear About the Requirements for your Story Goal
The achievement or failure to achieve the goal is an important but short moment at the end of the story. So how is interest maintained over the course of the story? By the progress of the quest toward the goal. … Continue reading
Posted in Plot Points
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Never Be Stuck for a Plot Again!
A writer asked today: Dear Melanie, Could you please tell me where can I find some material on western genre plot building. Let me make it much clearer. I have a character Marshal, A saloon girl, Rancher, Preacher, Blacksmith and … Continue reading
Posted in Creative Writing, Featured Articles, Plot, Writing Tip of the Day
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The Structure of “Collective Goals”
Some novice writers become so wrapped up in interesting events and bits of action that they forget to have a central unifying goal that gives purpose to all the other events that take place. This creates a plot without a … Continue reading
Posted in Novel Writing, Plot Points, Story Development, Writing Tip of the Day
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Introducing Your Characters in Act 1
Some stories introduce characters as people and then let the reader/audience discover their roles and relationships afterward. This tends to help an audience identify with the characters. Other stories put roles first, so that we know about the person by … Continue reading
Posted in Acts, Building Characters, Novel Writing, Writing Tip of the Day
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Revealing Your Story’s Personality
Your story’s genre is its overall personality. As with the people that you meet, first impressions are very important. In act one, you introduce your story to your reader/audience. The selection of elements you choose to initially employ will set … Continue reading
Posted in Plot, Storytelling, Storytelling Tips, Storyweaving Tips, Writing Tip of the Day
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How to Reveal Your Goal
While the structural nature of a story’s goal is crucial to developing a plot that makes sense, the storytelling manner in which the goal is revealed can determine whether a plot seems clever or pedestrian. In this tip, we’ll explore … Continue reading
Posted in Novel Writing, Plot, Practical Tips, Writing Tip of the Day
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