Plot & Structure (Write Great Fiction)

Plot & Structure is a thorough handbook for writers looking to improve their storytelling. Bell, as many already know is a successful novelist and writing coach. He simplifies complex ideas like plot development and narrative structure into useful advice, practical tactics, and interesting activities that we can all understand.Bell's strategy revolves around the LOCK methodology, which stands for Lead, Objective, Confrontation, and Knockout. Not a new technique at all, this framework is intended to assist authors in crafting captivating story lines that hold readers' attention from start to finish.Bell clearly emphasizes the significance of developing a strong lead character who propels the story forward, a definite aim that guides the plot, a confrontation that adds tension and drama, and a knockout finish that leaves readers happy but wanting more.Clarity and order are two of the book's strongest points. Bell delivers his thoughts in a logical order, beginning with the basics of plot structure and progressing to more sophisticated themes such as subplots, pacing, and thematic depth.Each chapter is illustrated with examples from popular literature and cinema, making theoretical topics more concrete and understandable.This method not only enhances comprehension but also encourages readers to study and appreciate the workmanship behind their favorite stories. But Bell does this in a fun, and still factually correct manner.Bell's writing style is both informative and motivating. He communicates directly to the reader, anticipating their worries and queries and providing encouragement with his advice.His encouraging tone is especially helpful for aspiring authors who may be intimidated by the hurdles of narrative development, I know I was one of those.Bell tells them that, while creating a compelling plot is difficult, it is possible with perseverance, effort, and a willingness to learn from failures.The exercises at the end of each chapter are another standout feature of the book. These are intentionally created to put the concepts covered into practice, encouraging authors to explore various story scenarios, character motives, and narrative structures.By constantly promoting active participation, Bell guarantees that readers not only absorb the material but also apply it.This hands-on approach encourages creativity and experimentation, which are crucial skills for any writer trying to improve their art.He makes the whole process fun to do, which helps one feel involved more than some dreary instructional how-to book that we have all read and forgotten.Furthermore, Bell discusses frequent plotting difficulties and provides solutions to solve them. He addresses difficulties like predictable storylines, uninteresting characters, and drooping middles, offering practical advice on how to increase suspense, deepen character development, and sustain momentum throughout the novel.This problem-solving part of the book is crucial since it provides writers with skills for critically evaluating and improving their work.It dives into the psychological and emotional sides of narrative, recognizing that a successful plot is more than just what occurs, but how it affects the characters and, as a result, the readers. Bell urges writers to explore their characters' emotional journeys, claiming that emotional resonance is critical to producing a memorable and meaningful story.Despite its numerous qualities, the book might have used more diverse examples, such as those from genres outside of Bell's area of expertise, contemporary literature, and indie presses.While the emphasis is mostly on traditional narrative frameworks, some consideration of experimental and non-linear storytelling could have provided a more comprehensive perspective on the art of plotting.Its thorough examination of plot creation, along with practical exercises and insightful suggestions, makes it an invaluable resource for anybody wishing to master the craft of storytelling.Whether you're a new writer struggling with your first plot or an experienced author looking to improve your skills, this book provides the assistance and inspiration you need to create captivating narratives that keep readers engaged from beginning to end. Plus, you will have fun along the way too!

Each chapter offered valuable information. I can't praise it enough. It's simply one of the best books that I have read about writing. I have learned plenty, and I will apply it to my new novel that I'm working on right now!Buy it! Read it! It works wonders! It's invaluable to my collection. If you're building your collection, make sure this book finds a place in your home. I have outlined so much. I have taken so many notes. I memorized elements of the structure. The author didn't take any break. He didn't stop surprising me toward the end.Great work! OVERVIEWThe author talks about the LOCK system for your novel.L --You need to have a gripping Lead with whom readers can identify with. You need sympathy, likability, and inner conflict. You need to build an arc of your character breaking into his layers, so the lead changes by the end of the novel. You need to show it through action and show the moment of change.O-- Objective, a goal your lead wants to achieve. You need to create a strong opposition, and put that opposition close to the lead. It might be a physical location, moral duty, professional obligation, life or death situation, obsession, etc.C--Confrontation or simply said conflict that grows; stakes are raised higher leading to the climax of the story.K--Knockout--final fight against oppositionYou need three ACT structure:Beginning (Act 1) , Middle(Act 2), Ending (Act 3)Beginnings- You need to reveal the lead; hook the reader; create sympathy through those things that I have mentioned earlier. You need to create disturbance in his life that will move the Lead to Act 2 which is the middle, no return.Middles- Raise the stakes; scenes are more tense; create more conflict and have a death hanging over your Lead (emotional death, physical, or professional, etc.) The customer is nearing the black moment. The Lead enters another door of no return.Endings-Battle--tie those lose endings (some might contain sacrifice) 1. A final choice or 2. A final battleAdd a twist if possible.If you follow the above and create a back cover blurb, you can go ahead and write your novel knowing it will not fail. Create an arc of the character that concentrates on the internal part of the character.I like to create also two charts. One is for the Lead showing how the character is changing internally.Another one, characters who play the parts in your novel divided into following categories:Character, Description, Objective, Role, Secret, and Emotion Evoked.You can add as much as you want in your never ending list.Scenes- HIP- Hook, Keep it Intense, Prompt to another sceneStretch tension! You need show instead of tell.ARM- Action, Reaction, and More ActionSoap Opera-- don't resolve anything until the end, and you might want to end the scene with a secret revealed or a cliff hanging moment.Complex Plots--Play with symbols or motifs; create subplots and integrate them into the main plot, or use parallel plots used so much in romance novels.Or divide into sections; each section to contain the LOCK system and three act structure.Some other things that I found valuable:Flashbacks -- keep them short; create scenes out of them; use one HAD.If your middle doesn't play well, do something unexpected like throwing a guy with a gun.Unanticipate-- avoid cliches, create unpredictiable scenes, endingsIf you present something in the story, make sure you use it later in your novel. If you mention the riffle on the wall, make sure it will play out in the future scene. You need to work backwards. You need to plant things, so the future scenes will make sense.The author talked about SHUTDOWN. I have experienced it myself just after the conference. It happens when the writer is overwhelmed and can't produce. It's a phase that passes. I did have it for two weeks. I was just simply exhausted and overwhelmed. I took a break, and the passion came back.

This book is now chalked full of highlighting and tabs with dozens and dozens of helpful sections that I need to keep readily available.I have been working on my first novel for way longer than I am comfortable to admit and after reading Plot & Structure I am so much more motivated and ready to get this first draft finished.

Excelente libro para iniciarse en este arte.

This book teaches different angles to get the plotting done. The excersices are well thought and will for sure increase your plotting ability.

小説の書き方の本だが、プロットとは何かから始まり「私は自分の小説で次に何が起きるのか、自分が驚きたいのだ」という大作家の意見も紹介し、そういうタイプの人でも使えるように作ってある。とある大物ハードボイルド作家の「行き詰まったら、銃を持った男を場面に放り込む」という解決の仕方には笑ったし、文章も面白くて読みやすい。プロットの研究のための「ドリル方法」も、もしかしたら有名なのかもしれないが、非常に役に立つ。第一稿を書いたあとの、手直しの方法も詳しく、「あーっっっっっ！」というあの気分が蘇る。書き始めから、最終稿までをカバーした、なかなかの良書。また、著者自身が売れっ子らしいし、創作教室で教えてもいるということで、詳しいだけでなく、共感的。批評家の書く創作論でたまにある「って言っても、書いたことないあんたにはわからないだろうよ」という気分にはならない。ただ難を言うと、アリストテレスの三幕説をこの本のように高く評価している本は、今時あまりないかもしれない。こき下ろされているのは、先日読んだ。

I absolutely very strongly recommend this book to any and all aspiring writers. Mr. Bell has a way of explaining initially-seemingly abstract concepts in a way that anybody can understand. Right from the beginning, he assumes that you have the story inside you, and have no idea how to get it out, and over the course of the book, gives you very real, practical techniques you can use to get ideas on paper right now. The chapters on how to organize parallel plots and on how to organize individual scenes (on their own and within chapters) are already worth the cost of the book itself. He also manages to keep the book fun and lighthearted, which I would never have expected from a book on how to construct a story. I would actually recommend pairing this together with the book "Make a Scene" by Jordan Rosenfeld, and if you put in the personal effort, all in all, you should be able to get your book, at the very least, drafted almost entirely from those two titles. Highly recommended!!