How to fill in the middle of your story with a plot!

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What is wrong with the following plot ideas?

• a historical novel set in a palace in France
• a story that revolves around the relationship between a boy and his dog
• a tale set in a school for gifted children

The answer is NOTHING! But…they are all plot ideas, things that can start your novel. In order to move forward with your story ideas, you need –

1. a character
2. a ‘problem’ that the character must face
3. the ‘problem’ – whatever it may be – is the drive that turns a good creative idea into a story. A story that will capture your reader, and enable them to turn those pages to the end of your story!

So, you want to write a romance set in King Lous X’ court in France. Who is your character? A society lady of the court, one who has her life already plotted out for her? Say she falls in love with a commoner? What does she do then?

All of these ‘problems’ that she faces are the driving forces of your story.

How can love win through in such adversity?

Once you decide WHO your character (or characters) are and then decide on the ‘problem’ they face, then it’s much easier to write your story.

Planning may be tiresome, and many creative writers (myself included!) like to have a vague outline of circumstances, the plot, and then let the ideas flow.

I’ve learned also that its good to have a few plans in place – then its easier to write your story. There’s nothing worse than having an idea fade away and you’re left with the dreaded Writer’s Block!

Tip 1:

Keep a writing pad and pen next to you at all times! Many ideas are thought of in the local restaurant, squash game, or last thing at night – so bear that in mind.

As your plot idea progresses, add another event/circumstance/climax to the plot….then let it flow to the end of your story!

Tip 2:

The best way to learn plot structure (and how another writer ‘fills in the gaps’ of a story)- is to READ! Read as much as you can of your favorite genre, for it will help you write that story. 🙂

Happy creativity everyone!

#writing #amwriting #creativity #plotlines #plot #storytelling

 

 

Happy St David’s day

Its St David’s day in Wales – that is, March 1st, a day when Welsh people send their children to school in traditional Welsh costume, looking as cute as buttons.

The costumes usually consist of (for the girls) : tweedy shawls, high stove hats with frills, long tweed skirts and pinafores with boots, and either have a daffodil or a leek pinned to their lapels. The boys wear Welsh rugby jerseys and sometimes tweedy flat caps ( which I recall get thrown around the playground by lunchtime!)

Its also a day for traditional Welsh fayre! So, with this in mind, I’ve baked a large batch of Welsh cakes (see pic below and my lovely little Welsh doll ).

Happy St David’s day, wherever you are!

On a creative note, I wrote over a 1,000 words of my thesis (due at the end of the year) that has my MC as a witch. Its toodling along nicely, thanks to heaps of reading material around – Ronald Hutton, Antonio Fraser, Tracy Borman – that have helped me get a sense of 16-17 century Europe.

The weather has cooled down considerably, which is fabulous.

Happy creative weekend! 😊 🙌 📚

#stdavidsday #welsh #welshdragon #welshcakes #creativity #witch