Write Great Fiction--Plot & Structure (36 page)

There are four chords in fiction: action, reaction, setup, and deepening.

Action is the major chord in commercial fiction. It involves a scene objective, conflict, and some sort of outcome — usually bad — for the Lead.

Reaction gives us a character's emotional response. It slows the action down for reflection. A literary novel may specialize in these types of scenes.

Setup can be a short scene or beat, which is used in order to give us the essential material for later scenes.

Deepening is like spice, to be used sparingly since it flavors the story.

Get HIP — hook, intensity, and prompt — to your scene. The hook at the beginning gets the readers interested; there must be some sort of intensity in the scene; the end of the scene must prompt readers to read on.

COMPLEXITY

Add complexity to plots by considering the theme, or meaning, or “take home value” of your story. Use subplots, symbols, and motifs to carry the theme.

Break long plots into units that use a three-act structure, but don't resolve until the end.

A character arc in plot, where the Lead undergoes a major change as a result, is a great way to add complexity and depth.

Look for the ways the plot impacts a character's beliefs, values, dominant attitudes, and opinions.

PLOTTING SYSTEMS

There are two main types of plotters: the no outline person (NOP) and the outline person (OP). But there are variations on both.

The NOP has the advantage of spontaneity, but will need to do a lot of work in revision and spend a lot of time on false tangents.

The OP gains security at the start, but may sacrifice some promising developments because they don't fit the outline.