For once, I'll get to the meat right off and leave my personal exposition until the end. :)
Dave Farland recited to us the nine parts of a story, in order. While at first this might seem pretty obvious, it's interesting to actually map out a plot chart using these. I've never physically drawn a plot chart for any of my books, but doing so might show me areas of weakness. Something I should do this week!
Parts of a Story:
1. Setting
2. Character
3. Conflict
4. Theme
5. Inciting incident
6. First try/fail
7. Second try/fail
8. Climax
9. Resolution
Extra notes:
~
In other news, I found out this weekend that an old college roommate of mine (one of the ones I liked!) lives in Moscow! I had no idea she and her husband had moved up there. So, not only will I actually have a friend when I move, but she generously offered to house Husband and I when we go up next week to look for apartments. Hello, I am making her the BIGGEST CAKE EVER.
Dave Farland recited to us the nine parts of a story, in order. While at first this might seem pretty obvious, it's interesting to actually map out a plot chart using these. I've never physically drawn a plot chart for any of my books, but doing so might show me areas of weakness. Something I should do this week!
Photo Credit |
1. Setting
2. Character
3. Conflict
4. Theme
5. Inciting incident
6. First try/fail
7. Second try/fail
8. Climax
9. Resolution
Extra notes:
- Start with what the story is about. (Think of Card's MICE: Milieu, Idea, Character, Events)
- An interesting trick to use with the climax is a reversal: making it look like the good guy has one, but the villain turns the table.
~
In other news, I found out this weekend that an old college roommate of mine (one of the ones I liked!) lives in Moscow! I had no idea she and her husband had moved up there. So, not only will I actually have a friend when I move, but she generously offered to house Husband and I when we go up next week to look for apartments. Hello, I am making her the BIGGEST CAKE EVER.