On Friday I mentioned that an old idea for a story had resurfaced. It’s a cool idea, although probably not novel-length, and I’m starting to work out some of the details.
The problem is that I need a plot.
I love my characters, and every story I’ve written has started with the people. As I get to know the characters I find their story. For my new concept, the interesting thing about the two main girls is their connection to one another. This connection is the thing I want to explore with the story, although it isn’t really a plot on its own. In Butterflies, in Dragon, even in my short stories, the characters’ problems led to a clear idea of a plot. In this one their connection doesn’t necessarily guarantee conflict or a problem to be resolved.
Perhaps it will just take some fleshing out of their world to find the bigger picture for these two.
Oct 02, 2011 @ 14:47:49
Good luck with your search for plot. I have a similar problem with a short story. Have a great character and situation, but it has not led to a clear plot yet.
Oct 02, 2011 @ 14:58:57
Is you character’s name Delilah?
Very well, then. Here is the Raymond Chandler solution: The story begins this way . . .
“When Delilah turned around, he stood there with a knife in his hand.”
Oct 02, 2011 @ 20:41:54
Sounds like you and I’ve got similar process styles way back at the drawing board. So often I begin with a Who, and am left looking at a big Now What?
It’s a fun way to start a journey. (: