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Okay I have a question
This might be a dumb question
But
How do I plot.
I mean the only way I know to plot is like okayy character A does this and then this happens and then it's solved.
how do we come up with the ...STUFF that happens in between the stuff that's suppose to happen. (Maybe all I have to do is sit down and think but I can't seem to do that)
So, I’ve seen a lot of advice about plotting that basically boils down to “write down the plot of your book” but I’ve always found that to be a bit vague. Plotting really isn’t that intimidating once you figure out a method for it but if you’re starting from scratch, it can definitely be a daunting process.
Now, my personal way of doing this is by making a PowerPoint. I treat it like I’m crafting a presentation for a class. I give lots of historical context to my setting, mention cultural things that might be relevant. Basically, I just make a slideshow that I can refer back to when I’ve lost track of some of my worldbuilding.
Depending on your setting, this process might be more or less extensive. For instance, if you were writing in the present day in whatever setting you live in, you might only need to keep track of the dates and times that your book is taking place in. If you were writing in whatever setting you live in but twenty years ago, it might be a little more extensive, as you would probably want to keep track of things like major events, more local events, what technology was widely available, the cost of things, etc.. This part of plotting is especially useful for any science fiction or fantasy writing, as it can be a great format to keep track of different magic systems and other settings that are useful lore in your setting.
Coming up with characters is definitely most writers’ favorite part of starting a new story. Not only does it usually come pretty naturally, the characters tend to shape the world around them as you build their personalities and backstories up. Don’t let them run away with your world, though. It can be really easy to justify making worldbuilding things that suit your characters really well, but remember, you’re trying to create a convincing setting as well as interesting people within that setting. There are always going to be aspects of the world that work against your characters interests, as well as parts that they just don’t really care about.
Ultimately, I recommend making a folder for each main character you have. Include vignettes written about them/from their perspective. Add drawings and playlists! Have fun with it! As long as you make some kind of documentation of who they are/where they came from/where you think they want to go/where you think their part in the story will be, you’re going to get the hang of writing ABOUT them, which is the point.
A lot of what’s difficult about plotting is that you don’t always know what you want the story to be. Even if you do know what you want to happen, you don’t always know how to make it happen. This is why I format this process like a flow chart or in bullet points. You want to find the “problem” at the center of your plot.
Obviously, in your story, things happen. But what things? And why? But more specifically why here? Why now? Why these characters? Why in this place? It’s important to figure out not only what happens in your book but why that is what MUST happen. There has to be some inescapable force driving your plot forward (the desires of a character, the plans of the antagonist, global events, some sort of deadline) or else it will not feel like it is moving forward on its own, rather you will likely find it is very hard to “make” your characters do what you need them to. (Another piece of advice: if you feel like you’re having to force a scene to fit in a certain place in the plot, that’s because it doesn’t have anything that’s pushing it to happen right there and right then.)
This part does take a lot of writing (more journal style writing, rather than writing vignettes) but it is SO helpful when you actually start your first draft.
If you want, I can totally go more in depth about how to organize a flow chart or how I organize my billet points. I just omitted them because this post is already pretty long. I hope this is helpful! Sorry it took me so long to get to this ask.
Good luck and happy writing!