+Audrey Lee 

Reshared post from +Bianca Lee

#NaNoWriMo #writing  
+Invisa Chonillo  Asked me "How do you plot your novels?"

Typically, I just write, but on November, I do things all proper like, for fun.

I amassed this from Jim Butcher's livejournal. I distilled all his writing advice into a neat little file for myself. This 'arc' has helped me plot out things better than any of my other 'little files.'

I use it as my starting point:

Basics
Story Question: When [something happens] [the protagonist] [pursues a goal]. Will the protagonist succeed when [the antagonist] [provides opposition]?
Protagonist: description, tags, traits, introduction ideas
Antagonist: ditto

Story Arch: Draw a massive arch.
Left side: opening scene
Right side: climax
Top / Big middle: whatever event start the dominoes to falling
Other ticks: events that mark action along the way

Subplots: Draw an arch for each subplot.
Character Profiles: Profile every significant character on its own sheet
If (!interesting), then (fuck off)
Exaggeration: physical, mental, emotional. Take it to the next level. Create a clear anchor.
Exotic position: social, geographic, intellectual, moral. It's unusual or it doesn't play.
Introduction: Clearly, sharply typify who and what the character is. First impression.
Verisimilitude: Tags (physical impressions), Traits (accessories, props, proclivities)
Empathy: comes out during sequels.

Scenes and Sequels: Start with the tick marks. Scene (denied). Sequel (fuck, now what?) Next scene. Repeat until climax.
Scene: Character sets out in pursuit of a specific goal, is setback.

POV Character: always the one with the most at stake.
Goal: active, specific, attainable, important to character

Conflict (scene question): about characters, between characters. Seeking to oppose the POV's character's goal. Will she succeed?

Disaster (scene answer):
1) Yes, but with complications, the more terrible, the better.
2) No. Flat out fail. Use sparingly.
3) No, and furthermore, you've fucked things up more. Best if this worsening is the protagonist's fault. Use most, with creativity.

Sequel (in this order)
React emotionally to a scene's outcome
Review facts and work through options
Ponder probable outcomes to various choices, anticipation
Make a choice / set up for a new goal and next scene

Climax: Answer the story question. Showdown / throwdown / beatdown of the antagonist.
Isolation: Protagonist stands alone.
Confrontation: Lone protagonist confronts antagonist
Dark Moment: Confrontation fail. Genuine jeopardy. Seems certain all is lost.
Choice: acid test, crucible, Exigur. Revelation of character's true self. The choice must be a terrible / hard one. Easy choices are boring.
Dramatic Reversal: Events of the confrontation are changed, causes an outcome that is in harmony with justice.
Resolution: Balance restored. Cool down. Keep it short.

Big Middle: Kicks the story into high gear. High drama. Big money. Shiny prizes. New Shit! New Shit!
Story Arc: get back to main action after this small side adventure
Subplot: bound to the main goal, but not the main goal. creates tension by separating the character from others, allowing for exposition
Character: Flamboyant character who stands our greater than other supporting characters. Short existence, but entertaining and drops a clue to the MC."

Okay, after I've run through that, I go through each of my 'tick marks' or sections and assume 5k words for each section. (Given my past history with scene lengths.) I try to create an outlined prediction of 75k words. That gives me plenty of stuff to cuts / scenes to work with.

The outline is usually a page or two, just one sentence descriptions of what happens next. On November, I start writing. I usually hit 50k by the 15th or earlier.

I write year round, I just use November to create a brand new novel. Then I spend the rest of the year(s) editing and polishing it.