Fruster-ation!
The number of novels that I’ve read in my lifetime must be in the several-thousands.
Why, in all that time, did I never read critically? Why can I not put a basic plot together!
Up to now, it’s been easy– I come up with some interesting people, put them together and take their clothes off. What happens is almost always transformative, and certainly always orgasmic…
So, I’m told I write great character-driven fiction. But how far can character drive a novel?
hm. sounds like you need ‘collab-magic’ to me!
nudge nudge.
kiss kiss.
I feel your pain – I’m also very character driven, and plotting is *hard* for me! The best trick I know for plotting is figuring out where the characters are at point A (the beginning) and where I want them to be at the end (point Z), and finally what events are necessary to get them from point A to point Z. For example, if I want a character who is completely opposed to piracy to willingly join a pirate crew, what would have to happen to him to change his outlook and make him decide this was the best choice available to him?
how about …
Just steal a plot from somebody. Pick a story from Greek mythology or the Metro section of the newspaper and try putting your characters in it.
Re: how about …
Raymond Chandler wrote his first novel by copying out the plot of a book that had gripping action but rotten writing and reworking it. It’s a pretty fine trick.
Re: how about …
I just picked up the dollar-edition of “Captain Blood” which strikes me as a good plot to steal.
If you don’t have a plot, don’t let it stop you writing. take your characters and put them places..in shops, in a lft, in a car, anywhere. How do they interact? Write about the scene. Find out what each of the fears and what they want to hide. Invent them a past. If you do this, an idea of plot may come.
For me plot is terribly difficult. All I can really do is its bastard child, story. But one day I’ll work it all out.
I’d agree with all the above and I have to point out that I don’t know what I’m talking about, but someone in Babylon 5 fandom gave me this advice:
When stuck for plot, make a boom!
In other words, get your characters interacting in that lift, car, hammock, whatever, then drop a ten ton weight on them: the lift starts to fall; the car crashes; the hammock catches fire; somebody’s ex walks in; aliens attack Earth… By the time they’ve dealt with that, you have if not a plot, then at least some plot.
Wow, you’re me!
I can’t plot either. Actually what I’m best at is worlds and overall descriptions of species. And porn. But no plots.