In the vast ocean of storytelling, your plot is the ship guiding readers through tumultuous waters and calm seas alike. And while inspiration can be as unpredictable as the wind, certain plotting techniques act as our compass, ensuring we don’t lose our way. Today we dive into the art of plotting, drawing insights from Jessica Brody's game-changing guide, Save the Cat! Writes a Novel.
1. The Beat Sheet: At the heart of Brody’s methodology is the "Beat Sheet"—a roadmap of 15 key story moments or “beats” that make a narrative resonate. From the opening image to the finale, these beats help structure your story, ensuring pacing, tension, and character growth are on point.
2. Choose Your Genre: Understanding and choosing among the 10 universal storylines Brody outlines can offer clarity. Be it "Dude with a Problem" or "Superhero", each genre comes with its own set of beats and expectations, offering a clear framework to develop upon.
3. The Transformation Arc: Every memorable story hinges on character transformation. Whether it’s a moral, professional, or personal journey, understanding where your character starts and where they need to end up can guide your plot seamlessly.
4. Stakes & Urgency: Brody emphasizes the need for stakes. What’s at risk? Why now? The urgency and consequences your protagonist faces will dictate the story's pace, ensuring readers are gripped from start to finish.
5. The Midpoint Magic: The middle of your novel need not be a muddled mess. Brody’s guide sheds light on the crucial midpoint shift, where stakes are raised, and the story takes a transformative turn.
Bonus Tip: Play with the “Save the Cat” moment—a scene where the protagonist does something endearing, ensuring readers root for them. This could be as simple as saving a stray cat or a kind gesture towards a secondary character.
Activity: Take a brief story idea you have and try to map it onto the 'Beat Sheet'. Identify key moments like the 'Catalyst', 'Break into Two', and 'Dark Night of the Soul'. Notice how this framework offers a clearer vision of your narrative arc.
Plotting is a dance between intuition and structure. As we gear up for NaNoWriMo, armed with insights from Save the Cat! Writes a Novel, let’s plot stories that are cohesive, compelling, and utterly unforgettable. After all, a well-laid plot not only guides readers but also gives us, the writers, the confidence to venture into uncharted narrative waters.
Write with purpose, chart your course, and may every twist and turn you plot leave an indelible mark on your readers.
-Andrew
The Indie Author Method
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