How to construct a great plot?

[Rock]

I'm wondering what methods everyone uses to come up with a new plot, and how you determine if the plot is worth using?

I personally draw everything I write from experiences I have had at one point or another. I really try to write about things that I understand, mostly because I feel that I cannot accurately portray a situation if I have never been there myself. This is slightly limiting to me, but I feel my writing comes out better.

What do you all do?

Rock

[Keira]

I usually get my plots from experiences either I have had, someone else I know has had, or something I've simply heard elsewhere. That's a common thing, I think, but I also think that's one of the marks of an author - subconsciously taking in what's happening around you, or the world, and creating something of your own. I also think that's why a lot of people become authors - because they aren't satisified with what's going on around them and they want to create a world in which they can escape to.

[Nittanylizard]

I think it's become second nature for me to constantly be seeing stories in everything, and some part of my brain filters out the possible good stuff, lol. Sometimes it's a matter of some little thing standing out to me in a different way, something that makes me stop and wonder, hey, what if...

I put a lot of what I know into my stories, but ultimately, I tend to try to become my MC in some way, so that once I put them into a situation that I have never been in, they can react true to themselves rather than the way I think I would react.

Now, I'm not saying I'm creating great plots left and right here ;D, but for me, I find that the plot sometimes doesn't reveal itself until I'm a few chapters into a story. I'll start writing what I think could be a good idea, but have no idea where it's going. Then all of a sudden, wham, it hits me (usually when I'm driving, or in the shower, or washing dishes, etc.), and I understand what the heck the story is really about. I love that feeling.

[Keira]

That's really neat that you can write without a plot in mind, haha. I'm the exact opposite. I have to have some idea of what I want it to be before I'll put any effort into it.

[Tensleep]

I sit down and BAM or I go to sleep and BAM. That's one of the main reasons I should never be driving a car. Seriously, my ideas hit me and I write them.

So I say this - to construct a great plot, just go with it. The ideas know what they want - they just need your fingers.

See ya in the funny papers!!!

Tens

[Tensleep]

You know, I think I am the exact opposite. If I have the end in mind then the story is done for me and I find it hard to write it. Thus three year gaps on a few of my stories that will not be mentioned by name....

But direction...I've always found that if you know your characters (and the ones you're borrowing)...well, they kind of lead me along, as horrible as that is. I want to read what happens to them as much as everyone else not in my head. There's motivation at least!

See ya in the funny papers!!!

Tens

[zevie]

I do a bit of everything with my plots, I think. I love to just let the characters take over and go along for the ride. Especially those characters who like to get into trouble, all by themselves, lol. But, I love having an idea of where it's going too, because it opens up a whole level of the story for little hints and foreshadowing that would otherwise be stuck only in my subconscious. But, I also love giving surprises. So, if I know where I'm going with a story, I like to hint at it subtley (maybe it's not so subtle, lol), but at the same time make the overall plot look like it's going somewhere else...does this make any sense?

A lot of my long term ideas get lost though, lol. Like Tens, I just stop writing them. Not because I get stuck or because I get bored...usually, I'm just lazy and get distracted by life, lol. Haha, three year gaps. I've done that. But, being on the receiving end is *not* fun, so I'm reforming my ways. (By the way, again, *cough* River King *cough* update! Not letting this one go, Tens. You can't start a Tim fic and then drop it. Don't be a meany! )

[Nittanylizard]

zevie said:

But, I love having an idea of where it's going too, because it opens up a whole level of the story for little hints and foreshadowing that would otherwise be stuck only in my subconscious. But, I also love giving surprises. So, if I know where I'm going with a story, I like to hint at it subtley (maybe it's not so subtle, lol), but at the same time make the overall plot look like it's going somewhere else...does this make any sense?

Once I see where my story is going, I do the same thing. I just go back to what's already written and add in the hints and the foreshadowing. This is my biggest reason for only posting finished stories on ffnet. My first run-through goes through so many changes as the story forms under me.

Something that I just recently discovered is that if I have even just a vague idea where I'm going with a story, writing a hook (a blurb about the story, kind of like what's on the back of a book) really keeps me focused, and I keep going back to it to make sure the story itself is as interesting as the hook is. If I come up with a new compelling twist, I change the hook accordingly. So far it's working well for my current work in progress, and helped tremendously when I was revising one of my finished novels. Once I wrote that hook, I knew exactly what needed to be removed from the story and where it needed to be strengthened.

[Rock]

Wow, I have to say I'm very surprised! I thought there would be someone on here who would actually go by an outline of some sort. I honestly thought I was crazy to write without an outline, but I dont...turns out I'm not so odd. YAY!

Anyway, this is good information to know. Now I just have to figure out how y'all finish your stories, because anyone who has read any of my stories (all a year or more old now) knows that I don't ever finish. I know, I know...

Currently my newest developing project has a general outline. I'm trying to get it more specific. Hmm... this will be interesting.

Well, better go before I bore you all. I'm a little loopy right now...so yeah.

Rock

[Laughing]

Heh...I ask my beta.

If any of you have read anything that I've written, you know that I'm great about doing 70 underdeveloped, similarly themed, mini plots, and calling it a plot.

I know that I'm horrible with plots--I prefer characters--and I'll occasionally try an outline (it doesn't work). So, I got myself a beta. She's great. She points it out to me when I try to go off course and do something stupid. So if you can't write plots very well, ask for help. I'm hoping that I can eventually do it on my own without pulling out my hair (because, I swear, everytime I try to think up a plot, or outline it, I immediately have to write that part. 'Pony runs into a pregnant greaser at a gas station, and eventually realizes that everyone places stereotypes on the girls just as much as they do on the boys--the girls just don't kill each over it. Ponyboy tries not to automatically label a greaser girl as a lousy slut.' That produced Liza in "Lies", and definitely did not acheive that effect because I got overexcited.).

[queenjaneapprxmtly]

I sometimes utilize my own experiences, if any of them relate, but mostly I'll be inspired by something I've read or seen somewhere -- or sometimes an idea will just come out of nowhere, but it's usually subconsciously inspired by something else.

For example my latest fic, She's Leaving Home, is about a Soc girl who leaves home and with the help of a nomad friend she meets along the way, becomes a young war correspondent in Vietnam (and it does tie in with The Outsiders eventually). That idea stemmed from the book Message from Nam by Danielle Steel, which is a similar concept, but in many ways mine is completely different.

So there are a lot of my plot ideas that come from things I've read in the past. I read a lot of Vietnam War fiction, as it's of great interest to me, and so most of my fics are centered around that realm -- and they usually turn out pretty decent, because I can't think of anything better, lol. :)

[DarryHasAFutureAndI'mInIt]

You know what? I have a feeling I might suck with plots. Mostly because it took me awhile to distinguish the difference between STORY IDEA/PROMPT and PLOT.
I honestly come up with all my ideas in bed. You know, that time you're still awake but wayy too tired to move? But you still think? Yeah, then... the thing is I never write them down, so the finer points tend to slip away by morning and I'm left with just the starter.
I never know the middle or end of a story until I actually write it down, so that kinda sucks 'cause I don't tend to set anything up. I love stories and authors that do, though.
Sometimes I'll discuss something with my friends if I am REALLY stuck... although admittedly, I am running out of friends willing to talk about the Outsiders...
Whatever. My minnd is fizzled right now... thanks a lot, homework. (Incidentally, I am working on a Outsiders remake movie poster and cannot think of any actors to play anybody. Any Ideas??)

[greasergirlheart14]

My plot has been/is constantly changing.... its always evolving.

I get ideas in dreams, while I'm falling asleep - even in the shower!

Though I only have 6 chapters up... I have it planned even up to and including sequels =) I have my OC's life planned almost to death =D

[Nittanylizard]

Aug 6, 2010 12:46:49 GMT -5 greasergirlheart14 said:

I get ideas in dreams, while I'm falling asleep - even in the shower!

I get some of my best ideas when I'm around water - taking a shower, washing the dishes, even mopping the floor, hahah! Apparently, my muse is a fish.

[greasergirlheart14]

sometimes (though I have been caught a couple times by my mom...) I've found myself ACTING OUT random scenes with my OC in them.... thats one of the ways I get to know her best, become her and let her become me (for a bit only because she is not like me and I could get in trouble acting like Emma Winston all the time)