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Plotting a novel

Plotting a novel graphic - Imperial typewriter It looks easy when you read a novel with a great plot, but it's a lot harder when you're in the driving seat. It's the same when you hear a great song; easy to pick up and repeat, but you could spend your whole life trying to come up with anything better, or even comparable.

You don't always need a plot, mind; at least, nothing that is too obviously a plot. And this is where novels fall into two broad camps; character-driven stories, or plot-driven stories.

There's an important difference between the two.

Character-driven novels are pretty much as they sound; tales about character and how that character develops through the pages of your book.

Plot-driven novels are less about character development, and more about what happens beyond the character, ideally with all kinds of twists and turns.

Best of all, arguably, are novels that have great character development and a great plot. But these books are rare, and are hard to contrive. In fact, the act of contriving these kind of novels often results in a book that feels contrived, albeit very cleverly.

What's really needed is a contrived book with great plot and character that moves seamlessly through the pages with events and personality changes unfolding naturally and fluidly.

Character-driven stories, meanwhile, begin with (or at least are centred upon) a flawed character. Not necessarily weak. Just flawed. Or "human" if you prefer. Your character needs to have a goal, but is prevented from achieving that goal because of his or her internal conflicts.

Internal and inner conflicts

You might have a lead character (a white man) who needs a blood transfusion to save his life, but refuses to accept the only blood available, which happens to have come from a black man. There can be any number of reasons why the white man doesn't want black blood (or is can be vice versa, of course). It might be pure bigotry, or due to a murder in the family in which a black man (or white man) was the suspect, or because of racial tensions in a small town, or for religious reasons, or anything at all.

The important thing is to show an inner plot conflict, and then work to resolve that conflict in the narrative. There doesn't have to be a lot "happening". The drama might play out on a small "stage". Or the stage might be much larger. But unless your hero's character changes significantly throughout the story, it's not really a character-driven tale.

It may be that many characters change. Think of the film Twelve Angry Men (the original film with Henry Fonda). Here we have a jury charged with deciding the fate of a Puerto Rican boy accused of killing his father. Each of the 12 jurors brings his personal baggage into the jury room, and each character is skilfully disrobed—which changes some, but not all, of the characters as the story progresses.

There is plot too including some very clever twists and turns. But essentially it's a character-driven tale set on a small stage. Theatre plays are usually (by necessity) character driven, whereas blockbuster movies are generally plot driven.

Want to read more?

There are over 25,000 words of writing tips and advice on my website. I've spent months writing these pages, and years refining them. I'm happy to share my professional knowledge with you. But like everyone else, I need to capitalise on my skills and efforts.

For just £1.99 I'll send you my entire MR EDIT'S WRITING ADVICE FOR AUTHORS as a .pdf file. Just follow the link below, or above, and you'll be taken to PayPal. You don't need an account; just a credit card or a debit card.

You'll generally receive my writing guide within an hour. But occasionally technical glitches from PayPal delay this for up to 24 hours.

Either way, you'll receive 25,000 very helpful words that will make you a better writer, will give you fresh insight into your work, and will improve the chances of a literary agent or publisher accepting your manuscript.

Want to read one of my books?

Try THE VALHALLA QUANTUM which is available now on Kindle as a digital download. It's fun and exciting and has something to say about human nature. Expect Viking warriors, a wayward UFO, a political intrigue that goes straight to Downing Street, and an unusual paranormal investigator and his interesting assistant. £2.99

EXCLUSION ZONE. You don't have to be travelling on the London Underground—or any other international subway system—to enjoy this tale of madness and retribution. But you might want to give it a try and see if it adds to the thrill.

£2.99

GROUNDSPEED. Two young and daring microlight pilots rescue two kidnapped children—only to watch the plan unravel in the worst way. This is a high-flying British gangster tale with great characters, sudden twists, colourful language and a great payoff.

£2.99

Mr Edit YouTube videos

Meanwhile, here are some of my You Tube videos that might be of interest to you. Hope you enjoy them.

Mr Edit. Let's talk about dialogue

https://youtu.be/KG0CLm1S9Rs

Mr Edit. Pitching fiction to a literary agent.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yy698w2Ooc8

Mr Edit. 5 Minute Fiction Fix.

https://youtu.be/y6OPUfcDH90

Mr Edit. Let's talk about tautology.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_zhoBLImV6U

Links for writers

Preditors & Editors. Here's where you can check out the credentials of literary agents and publishers. A must for any writer.

http://pred-ed.com

Creative Helps. Helpful resource for the creative community. Articles, links and tips.

http://www.creativehelps.com/products.htm

Nick Daws' Writing Blog. Lots of useful posts on all aspects of writing, both for print and online, plus a guest post for anyone who wants to make a contribution. Check it out.

http://www.mywritingblog.com

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Creative writing

● Writing tips

● Plotting a novel

● Finding a literary agent

● Choosing a literary agent

● Agent query letters

● Inspiration for writers

● Rejection letters

● Manuscript critique

● 5 minute fiction fix

● Proof reading

● Writer's block

● How to get published

● Active & passive voice

Michael O'Neill novels include...

TOUGH GUY

Don Donovan—a shrewd, witty, and womanising London gumshoe—is hired to find a legendary chess set said to carry a compelling secret. Soon he finds himself on a globetrotting hunt and facing various dangerous and interesting antagonists.

Available now on Amazon

£2.99

DIRTY BUSINESS

Unorthodox London-based self-defence teacher is embroiled in a highly toxic industrial pollution intrigue.

Cue an unusual killer and a clutch of East End wide boys.

Available now on Amazon

£2.99

Lifeline

Unorthodox London-based self-defence teacher is embroiled in a highly toxic industrial pollution intrigue.

Cue an unusual killer and a clutch of East End wide boys.

Available now on Amazon

£2.99

S'end for Braden

Southend-on-Sea private detective investigates a suicide that reads like murder and faces a shocking comclusion.

Available now on Amazon

£2.99

The Republic of Moon Land

Astronaut Joe Baxter is suddenly marooned on the moon. On Earth, WW3 is about to break out. Meanwhile, something very mysterious is going on, moon side.

Available now on Amazon

£1.99

The Grace of God

Businessman Peter Archer accidentally kills a man in a motoring accident, and flees the scene. Soon, his respectable world implodes. Cue blackmail, murder, a vicious press campaign, and much more.

Available now on Amazon

£1.99

Murder Story

Ray Brewer, a London-based minder/private eye, becomes embroiled in a domestic murder plot with twists and thrills and hijinks throught.

Available now on Amazon

£2.99

Police Procedural

D I Dennis Dobson is the hardest, rudest, shrewdest copper in the Essex police force. A local suicide causes concern for Dobbo who believes it's murder, but can he prove it?

Available now on Amazon

9/10ths of the Law

Adam Macklin, a London despatch rider returns home to find an empty nest. His wife and kids are gone. A brutal custody battle ensues, and the knives are out...

Available now on Amazon