Ten Questions to Ask Yourself for an Airtight Plot
1. What are your character's wants vs. needs
This same primary question lies at the core of every story. It serves to guide not only the narrative and underlying themes but also to make sure your characters are active players in your story rather than solely passive participants. For instance, I created a hero who is wrongfully convicted and must sneak onto a transport vessel as a way out of prison.
Yet what he truly needs is acceptance and direction in an insane world. All his choices throughout the novel express the tension between those two desires, thus propelling the plot forward.
2. What is your character doing RIGHT NOW and why are they doing it?
Sometimes we invented scenes for our characters to take part in just because they were cool. But then when we stepped back and thought about it, we realized that the character's involvement in the scene made little sense considering what we'd already written about them.
It's essential that you consider why a character may not be doing the most logical thing in a dire situation—such as fleeing the scene, turning to the police, or steering clear of a strange basement. Until you can explain their decision without resorting to contrived reasoning, you still have some writing to do.
3. What is the problem you THINK you are solving?
It's very easy to become stuck in one way of writing a particular element of your plot. You've assumed what transpires, but if something doesn't feel right, give yourself the freedom to alter your expectations.
In one scene of our book, the hero initially proposed a solution to outwit his adversaries, but I concluded a different character would be more likely to possess that crucial knowledge, so I changed my assumptions and made the sidekick say it instead. You also need to think about what additional issues you could create by changing a section of the plot. Everything should have an impact, good or bad.
4. Is this the worst that can happen?
If you find yourself tired of the plot of your story, chances are that your characters have faced too few challenges. You may fear putting them in precarious situations because you want nothing bad to happen to them. If they seem to progress too easily, consider what the worst outcome could be and go for it. This will keep things interesting for both you as the author and your reader.
5. Is it logical?
If a plot point seems off to you, it could be because it doesn't fit into the story. If there's a convenient coincidence, a plot development not supported by an earlier narrative, or if characters act strangely, readers will sense its falseness. This means the writer failed to invest enough time and energy to create something better. If something makes little sense, replace it or cut it.
6. What does this simple action add to the scene, to the character, and to the overall story?
You must ask yourself if something should be in your story just because you find it enjoyable. It's fascinating, it's wily, and it's captivating. Perhaps you want to let everyone know about all the research that you have done. However, if they are not needed, extra information or sequences can become tiresome. In my tale, I removed a few intriguing facts regarding life on board a vessel, since they were slowing down the story. Hours of research ended up getting filed away and not used. Perhaps in a future story.
7. What if?
When you need inspiration, this tried-and-true method will help. Generate a list of ten potential solutions and you'll be pushing yourself to explore all options as you work your way out of a pickle. The sheer number of ideas will force you to access your creative side and find solutions that may have otherwise gone unnoticed.
8. Is this the simplest way?
I noticed I was cluttering the narrative with too many ideas, making it practically impossible to follow. This resulted in a confused reader who did not know where the story was going. By simplifying and organizing your story, you can keep your readers on the edge of their seats waiting for more.
9. Why will the reader care?
Writing a story can be overwhelming; the amount of detail you need to consider can run away with you. For example, I could have spent hours researching the exact cost of transporting a horse, but in the end, no one will even notice. So instead, I decided it was simpler just to mention that the hero had to pay a shipping fee - without specifying how much.
10. Does your hero solve their own problems?
For a happy ending, the hero or heroine should not need external help to solve their problem. Instead, they should be able to make progress through wit, strength of will, and courage. It’s essential to examine whether your protagonist has control over the events in your story or if they are controlled by them. If the climax results from the protagonist's actions, readers will be satisfied with the experience of your book and yearn for more.
Eric Myers
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