Plotting

Why Outlining Subplots is Key to Drafting Your Novel

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Why Outlining Subplots is Key to Drafting Your Novel

Have you ever heard a little kid tell a story? Did you pay attention to the way they told it? It was probably not a tale crafted to perfection. Maybe they went off on too many tangents and never got to the point. Maybe they only gave you the bare bones of the tale, revealing nothing exciting.

As a general rule, don’t write the way a child would speak.

When you write, you should give your readers more than the bare bones, but don’t abandon your plot altogether either. It can be tricky to find the middle ground, the happy medium—that’s what subplots are for.

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The Easiest Way to Start Writing Your Plot-Driven Story

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The Easiest Way to Start Writing Your Plot-Driven Story

In general, there are two main types of writers: plotters and pantsers.

I’m definitely an advocate for plotting your novel. If you do the legwork on the front end, you’ll be more organized later—you essentially give yourself a road map when you’re drafting. I’ve already written about balancing action and reaction scenes within your story, but today we’re going to look at the big picture: the overall narrative arc of your book.

When it comes to plot-driven novels, there is very little leeway; you need to know where your story is headed. You need to know how to put this kind of story together so you can build your story arc from the ground up. That’s where this guide comes in.

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The 5 Questions You Need to Create Magic in Fantasy

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The 5 Questions You Need to Create Magic in Fantasy

Every fantasy book I’ve ever read has some element of magic to it. Whether it’s the existence of dragons, the power of witches, or the sentience of trees, magic—an impossible reality—is the cornerstone of the genre. 

Given this, I would be remiss if I didn’t touch on the creation of a magic system. When starting their novels, too many aspiring authors tend to under-develop their ideas. This creates plot holes to patch up (or completely rewrite) later. I’ve fallen victim to under-writing magic myself, so I’ve compiled a list of facets to consider in hopes that you might benefit from my mistakes. By asking yourself a few important questions, you can (almost magically!) stop plot holes in their tracks before they even exist.

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How to Make Sure Your Novel Ebbs and Flows Naturally

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How to Make Sure Your Novel Ebbs and Flows Naturally

Among my friends and family, I make it no secret that I dislike watching action movies.

I don’t hate them, per se, but they’ve never truly interested me. For the longest time, I couldn’t figure out why. It wasn’t until I was watching an Indiana Jones movie—and hating the experience, much to my family’s chagrin—that I recognized the source of my aversion: more often than not, in my experience, the pacing of action movies is severely unbalanced. They’re all action, with little to no reaction, and so on an emotional level they tend to fall flat.

Scenes and Sequels

In general, there are two main types of scene: there are scenes full of action that further the plot, and scenes in which the characters (and reader) pause to regroup and take stock of their emotions. More experienced and renowned writers than I, such as Dwight Swain or Randy Ingermanson, may call these “scenes” and “sequels.” 

I find the name of the thing is less important than its definition and, most important of all, its practical use. As a result, I tend to explain them rather simply. “Scenes” are when things happen—this is when the story flows. “Sequels” are when characters react—this is when the story ebbs, pulling back before flowing forward again.

Even more simply put: there is action, and there is reaction, and a good story has both in not-quite-equal measure.

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