It’s really difficult to start a novel. Where do you begin? How many pages should be in a chapter? Should you outline? Should you just go for it? What about chapter titles? Chapter titles or numbers, which should it be?
Eventually these questions turn into extreme procrastinatory measures (if procrastinatory is not a word, consider it invented), such as a search for the perfect quote to put on its own page at the start of the novel, endless adjustment of margins and formatting, and “research” in the form of checking one’s e-mail.
Having worked with many authors in the past, it’s fascinating to see how many different styles there are. You have the planners, who outline every last detail ahead of time and churn out an almost-perfect first draft, and then you have the revisers, who write their way to what the novel is about, figure it out around page 150, and then go back and scrap the first 150 pages and rewrite them.
But in my opinion, there is absolutely one thing every writer should start with before they begin writing. And that’s a plot.
And do you have a plot? No really, do you?
UPDATED 4/27/20
Plot quiz
Multiple choice quiz! Hope you did your homework.
Which one of these is a plot:
- Four women find redemption and love on a trip to Italy
- A young man comes of age in an unpronounceable kingdom
- A man and his video game collection discover the true meaning of love
- Four friends realize they hate each other
The answer: none of the above!
These are not plots. They are themes. (Or at least what I call themes.) So many times when I ask people what’s the plot they tell me what the novel is about. “It’s about a young man who comes of age and discovers the meaning of life!” (note: also not a plot) All of these themes are descriptions of what is happening beneath the surface of the novel. It’s what the novel is about. When I ask for the plot I don’t want to know what the novel is about. I want to know what happens.
So let’s try that again. Spot the plot in these:
- Snakes get loose on a plane
- A cat with a hat arrives to entertain children
- A crazy general is hiding out in the jungle
- The world is going to end when the Mayan calendar runs out in 2012 (because the Mayans were right about EVERYTHING)
Which is the plot?
Also none of the above. (I’m so predictable.)
These are not plots — they are hooks! Or premises! Whichever label you prefer! They are a starting place. Also not a plot. A premise is just that — a starting point. But where does the novel go from there?
What makes a plot
Ok. So. Enough quizzes. What makes a plot?
Think of a book like a really big door, preferably one of those Parisian ones that are thick and heavy and last hundreds of years. Here’s how it breaks down. Bullet point time!
- The premise, or the inciting incident, is what happens to knock the door ajar. Something sets the protagonist’s life out of balance. Preferably something really intriguing or like totally deep man.
- The climax is when the door closes. Maybe the protagonist made it through the door, maybe they didn’t make it through the door but learned a really great lesson about door closing, maybe the door chopped them in half.
- The theme is how the person opening the door changes along the way.
What’s the plot? The plot is what keeps the door open!! Why can’t that person close the door?
So basically, plot is a premise plus a major complication that tests the protagonist. It’s what opens the door plus what’s keeping the door from being closed.
Plot examples
Gilead: An aging man writes a letter to his young son (premise) because he doesn’t think he’ll live long enough for his son to really know him (complication — also don’t you want to cry already?)
The Invention of Hugo Cabret: A young orphan in Paris wants to repair an automaton because he thinks it will give him a letter from his deceased father (premise — also tears), but in order to do so he must avoid the Station Inspector and enlist the help of a mysterious toy store owner (complication).
A good plot starts with an interesting premise and an interesting door-block. A great plot also implies a quest and a resolution, which is what makes the reader want to read more. We don’t like chaos, we want to see order restored, we want an interesting journey along the way, and we want to see the ways a character changes after facing these obstacles.
So when you’re starting a novel, don’t just think of a theme and leave it at that. The complications are everything.
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Art: Tagebucheintrag by August Müller
Yeah, but wow, that was really helpful. And as an English teacher, I give you an A for your definition of dramatic structure.
Nathan, you’ve outdone yourself. Great post, and funny, too! Plot is indeed the pitfall of many beginning writers, which I bitterly experienced myself with my first novels. Now I map out the plot before I start writing, and boy, what a difference!
OK, but what’s that old literary saw about there only being 3 truly original stories? What are they? Quest…what else?
Thanks.
Ah….and have any of you messed around with these software based “plot generators”?
I write thrillers myself, which are inherently plot-driven, so premise and plot are extremely important to me.
It may be long, but it is FABULOUS.
I also just realised how little I actually understand the fine points of writing…
Off to hit the books!
Thanks, Nathan. 😀 So, so helpful.
Long, perhaps, but also extraordinary and arguably necessary; too few writers understand the nuances of plot, and too many cling desperately to the idea of the “plotless” novel. You know, because “real life doesn’t have plots! It’s messy.”
Which always makes my eye twitch.
I always think of plot as a novel’s bones (i.e., it gives structure, balance, and form).
This is a timely post for me! Your second paragraph is a good description of what I’ve been up to lately as I try to work out these plot ideas.
I do like the door analogy. The way you’ve described each of the components is helpful.
The three basic plots are
Man vs. nature
Man vs. man
Man vs. himself
At least that’s what I learned in school way back when…
You could have been an English teacher Nathan, you have a great way with words. You explain things very well(which hopefully we all know and in turn, we’re all hear to ‘investigate’ you before querying). That sounded much better then the English teacher’s of my past.
In university multiple choice quizzes are the plague. One or two words are switched around to make life hell for you. I much prefer essay questions. It gives me shivers thinking about my multiple choice questions off of my exam this past term.
I thought this was a fantastic post. And if you read the Query Shark website, the shark herself has done much tearing apart of her victims lately for exactly that reason.
I don’t think that a plot has to be plotted out from the beginning, though, because some people (like me) aren’t the planning types. If I had to write a structured plot of the novel, I’d be so bored afterwards I’d never write the book. But even when you’re winging it a bit, it is still possible, and very important, to remember this great advice as you go.
Perfect timing, Nathan!
While waiting for comments on the book I’m currently sending to agents, I decided to work on something new and just started plotting today! I’ve been looking at a bunch of different tips, tricks, techniques and tidbits of advice on plotting and, low and behold, you’ve got some too!
Here’s hoping that, by the end of today, I have a premise, a problem, AND a plot! 😀
Hi Nathan,
I’m new to your blog and have been going back and reading the archives for about a week. Everything has been tremendously helpful. But I think your post today tops it all and has solved all my “procrastinatory” problems. (an excellent word I must say)
I have had so many different themes running through my head and only a handful of unrelated scenes actually written. Now I know my problem. I have no plot, and barely have a premise.
I have felt overwhelmed by these nebulous themes and when I sit down to write I try cramming the whole message into the three pages I’m working on. No wonder I get discouraged so easily!
Plot. How could I have missed something so simple?
La Gringa:
Let us not forget…
Man vs. Photocopier
Man vs. Child (“You WILL clean your room”)
Man vs. Significant Other
and of course,
Man vs. DMV.
I don’t write out a plot to begin, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have one in mind when I start. Unless I know my plot, I don’t know my beginning, I don’t know how to keep my middle interesting, and I have no idea when story’s over.
After reading dozens of books on the craft and attending counoltess workshops at various writers conferences I gotta say this is the best explanation of plot that I’ve ever seen.
Thanks.
Um, it’s like you read my mind. THANK YOU for this.
What a great post! It has a hook, a theme, a — well, it doesn’t have a plot because it’s a blog post, but anyway.
Really good.
BULLET POINTS ARE SEXY!!!!!!
ahem. sorry.
Good post on what it takes to create a novel.
Here’s a what if:
A group of archeology students explore the remains of a spaceship sunk in a 1000 year old moor. They want summer credit but the spaceship wants a new crew.
What great timing! I was grumbling not five minutes ago about my difficulties in coming up with a plot for a story I want to write (and the fact that plot bunnies are biting me with ideas for another story). I have ideas for the characters and themes, but haven’t figured out what they’re going to do yet. This was a very good and interesting breakdown, especially since plot’s been on my mind lately.
WORD UP.
My writing lair is really a procrastinatorium. Also, it’s just my office.
Hey, this is great. Thanks for concretizing it (and if concretizing isn’t a word…).
Question: how much of a given novel’s plot do you want to learn about in a query? Is there — for you (I know it depends, for others) — such a thing as knowing too much in advance?
jes-
Yes, there’s definitely such a thing as too much plot in a query. I just want the essence.
Nathan – You rock! I now feel so much better about my WIP that is in it’s revision stage.
Intriguing premise- Check
Climax- Check
Theme- Check
Of course, I continue to struggle in other matters (example– steering clear of cliches- but really, What isn’t cliche these days? I have to remind myself that it’s not about what’s been done in the past, and what hasn’t- but more, my unique twist and fresh perspective I place on the matter at hand. But I digress.
And having read this blog faithfully, as well as a few others, I feel confident that when my work is (or as close to) agent ready, I will have learned a valuable thing or two beforehand 🙂
Whew. I’m exhausted…what? (just kidding). I wrote two novels in college (that are in boxes) and just kind of wrote. And they changed, the plot changed as I went along and i realized that I had to be flexible with that. And in the process I would be like “ah, THAT’S what this is gonna be about”. (in essence) Same with my other writing classes, they rarely end the way we began them (the plot, that is). as Lamott says, “Bird by Bird”. (how many times have you heard that?) This was long, sorry.
Thank you. If I never see the word “redemption” again, that’ll be just fine. Of course, I’m off to a writers conference on Saturday, so what are the odds?
Been told it over and over, but I’m a slow learner — a plot requires a goal.
Aristotle and the film script is a useful basis.
120 pages. First act, 25%, culminating in “Inciting Incident.” 2nd act 50% with its complications, 3rd act 25% with resolution.
There has to be purpose which is resolved. Not everyone can get away with speculating whether a trip to the lighthouse is worth the effort.
Terrific! Definitely a WOW post!
Nathan, You should write a book. I have shelves sagging under the weight of writing books and nowhere among them have I found such a clear description of plot. You Nailed it, Dude.
Thanks!
You missed your chance to use a (well worn) title. “Got Plot?”
Still, great post.
For me, the reason it’s important to have a plot before I begin writing is that it’s impossible to get to a good plot without knowing the theme, the premise, the characters, their motivations, and the conflict. (Granted, you can know all those things and still come up with a lousy plot.) Well, not impossible of course, but they all are intertwined.
I just realized I plot around my theme and premise, and wonder if perhaps the middle of the book slump would be avoided if I developed theme and premise from the plot instead.
I think higher education (well, seventh grade and up) does this to us. In English class, when a teacher asks “what is this book about?” they mean theme.
Ask any eight year old what a book is about and they will give you plot.
When I’m writing, my kids ask, “What’s your book about?” I give it to them in plot, because that’s what they are interested in. It helps me clarify for myself, too.
Even with my short reading attention span, you had me hooked all the way through this post. Well done!
Heidi, I think that is the most insightful comment I’ve seen on any blog in a long time.
Today, it’s:
Man vs. Blogger since blogger is down for the count.
Brilliant. I’m linking this post in my blog.
Nathan, when I query you (first!), it will start out with a description of a story that is
preferably something really intriguing or like totally deep man.
Bet the totally deep part will be the part to cinch the deal for you and make you wanna sign me on the spot.
lol
All fine and nice, but what I hear over and over again is that it’s about the character: character over plot.
Thank you for the post. Your timing is excellent.
As for writing and finding a plot- usually the idea comes first and then I try to find a way to spin the tale past page 2. Or, as I think of it, why the MC can’t shoot the problem and move on with their life. The door block in your analogy. If I can’t find a reason why a gun or violence won’t solve the problem the story probably isn’t going to go anywhere.
Along the same lines, somebody (E.M. Forster?) gave this example of what is and is not a plot: “The king died and then the queen died” is not a plot; “The king died and then the queen died of grief” is a plot.
When I was in grad school, getting us highbrow literary folk to recognize that our efforts were not exempt from the necessity of a plot was a real chore for our instructors. We couldn’t believe we didn’t get a pass simply because of our high intentions and pretty sentences. When an instructor led us through some avant garde, seemingly plotless works–“Ulysses,” the Beckett trilogy–to show us that even Joyce and Beckett paid attention to plot, it started to click. Sitting in a Rolls Royce and looking out the window is nice. For a while. But pretty soon you want somebody to start it up and hit the road.
I have a date with my plot board this evening, so thanks for your timely (and awesome) post!
My plot is to build a giant clothes dryer that will give the world a terrible case of static cling. Then, when everyone is distracted, I will seize the mechanisms of power and …
… wait, that’s a plot to take over the world, not a plot for a novel.
Seriously, I have the plot. It took me a page to write the synopsis, but I have a plot. But I also have the characterizations, recurring themes, and power/control graphs. All that’s left to do is write it. Hahahahahaha!
Thanks – I am about to start on a major rewrite of my book (I am definately the 150 page type!) so this post is definately timely for me.
THANKS!
Thanks. That was a very helpful comment. Not in terms of my writing–my nearly complete WIP certainly has a plot and complications–but in terms of not giving a wrong answer when pitching my book, and an agent asks me what the plot is.
-Joe Iriarte
Your example of Premise and Complication for the Gilead doesn’t match your Premise and Complication for the Invention of Hugo Cabret. In the former, you list the character’s motivation for the premise as the complication in the former but list the character’s motivation for the premise as part of the premise in the latter.
I think I see where you were going, but I find your second example to be more accurate.
Premise:
When an eccentric scientist figures out how to clone dinosaurs back to life from mosquito blood trapped in fossilzed amber, he creates a unique theme park on a remote island which proves to be beyond difficult to manage.
Plot: A renowned paleontologist is called upon by an eccentric geneticist to travel to a remote island off the coast of Central America. Only after they arrive are they told the name of the attraction: Jurrasic park, and the living wonders to be found there.
Nathan, this post couldn’t have come at a better time for me. While I’m at the editing stage of my novel, I’ve been having the most difficult time defining the plot in mere words. I hope you don’t mind, I’ve bookmarked this post.
Thanks so much!
I’m so glad this blog comes straight to my email. I’m a plotter… What do I do if my plot goes from A to B containing all necessary parts then during revisions jumps B and goes to C? That’s my problem.
I’ve decided to write a choose your own adventure Romantic Suspense.
That may be the answer to all my problems.
Joseph-
I intentionally used two very different books to show it applies to both literary fiction and genre fiction. With literary fiction the obstacle is that he’s too old for his son to really know him. It’s not an external obstacle, but it’s still what drives the plot.
Wow, Nathan, Thank you!
I mean it! You are a very good guy!
I thought the three basic plots were chocolate, brandy old-fashioneds and cheesecake.
No wait, that’s the three basic food groups.
Nathan, that was an extremely sharp and hip exposition of plotitude. I did not read it in my usual Internet skim mode, but closer to word-savoring novel mode, and found it really made me think about what’s going on within my WIP.
What seems to work for me is plotting out major crises, turning points and outcomes, then winging it in between to keep some mystery for myself. At that point, the characters start doing their own things anyway.
Thanks for another of the most cogent writing blogs anywhere.
That was great post. Thank you for all the wisdom and insight you provide. You should be knighted or have your own parking space or perhaps Ben & Jerry’s could name an ice cream after you.
You deserve something.