Before I say more about plotting, how many clichés did you find last time?
Last Clichés:
To go Around in Circles —To keep trying, but getting nowhere. This idea dates back to the time when it was first observed that persons who are lost tend to wander in circles and therefore cannot ever reach their desired destination. Plato use the term (Charmides) for an argument that leads nowhere: “You drag me round and round in a circle.”
Make Out Like a Bandit–Operate very successfully. This slangy term refers not to an outlaw, but to the one-armed bandit of gambling–the slot machine. Slot machines usually win, making out like one is construed as success. Dates from 2nd half of the 1900s.
To Call It a Day–Stop work for the time being. This phrase implies that a full day’s work has been done, whether or not the clock so indicates. J. C. Neal in Charcoal Sketches (1838) spelled this out: “I’ve a great mind to knock off and call it half a day.”
You learned last time about The Hook, Set-Up, Obstacles, and Side Story of plotting.
Next thing is This Changes Everything!– This is the “Oh, No!” moment. Have a giant obstacle or something. This states that the hero is on the wrong track – Raises the stakes.
Lo and Behold, the next plot element will be The Escalation — nearing the climax, it’s time to pick up the pace. You’re now going in the right direction and the story needs to move faster. Use more dialogue and less description. Shorter sentences.
The Climax — This is what your story has been leading up to. Here you’ll find out who did it, confronts the villain — all makes sense.
And, not to be sneezed at, is The Satisfying Ending — This is where the right things happen. Justice is done right. The closing scene ties up the story. You convince the reader — “ah, that makes sense.”
That’s plotting — lock, stock and barrel.
Next time, we’ll get into How to Build Suspense.
Until, then, Keep Writing!!
Julie
