We all tackle plotting differently. How you plot will be individual to you, as it is with every writer.

Below is an outline of what can go into a plot. How much you choose to develop each point is entirely up to you.

So some basic questions to ask are…

1.Briefly what your story is about

2.The theme?

3.Main Characters

a.For main characters it’s best to write a full biography of them.

4.Secondary Characters

a.Who are they?

b.What will their role be?

c.What is their relationship with main character?

5.Beginning of story

a.Viewpoint – who will be telling story?

b.Setting – where will story take place?

c.How will you introduce main character?

d.How will you introduce other characters?

e.How will story begin?

f.What will happen in beginning?

g.What is conflict?

h.What is character’s goal?

i.How will conflict prevent character from reaching his goal?

j.What’s motivating character?

6.Middle of story

a.What will happen in beginning section, of middle of your story?

b.How will this be tied to beginning of your story?

c.What will happen in middle section, of middle of your story?

d.What will happen in end section, of middle of your story?

What a plot is and what a story is can be sometimes confusing. If you think they are same… They are not. A plot is outline of your story. The story is everything included.

I will illustrate difference by asking you to visualize two pictures…

1.Visualize a skeleton.

Then

2.Visualize a body.

The skeleton is your plot. It’s outline of your story. It won’t be visible when we flesh it out but it will still be there, holding your story together.

The body is your story. It’s everything, which our story will contain, including plot. The story is plot fleshed out.

What does it mean to ‘flesh it out?’

Let me show you.

I’ll take a brief plot…

A man meets a woman and they fall in love. They encounter great difficulties because their family are against relationship.