Hi, Story Nurse! I’ve created a great cast of characters that I have fleshed out and given a great amount of detail and attention to. While I haven’t fleshed it out completely, I’ve also come up with a world and different species and cultures in it. The problem is, I don’t have a plot. I … Continue reading #126: The Five Key Ingredients of Plot
Focus on the opener as the reader's introduction to your world, your characters, your plot, and your style. You want to make an accurate first impression while putting your best foot forward.
Today is the fifth Tuesday of the month, which means that my answer to this heartfelt letter is available exclusively to my Patreon patrons.
What I don't recommend is beginning at the beginning. Since you need an ending to work toward, begin with that ending.
My immediate question is, what do the characters want that isn't sex? I don't mean instead of, but in addition to.
You're not entirely starting from scratch—many of your skills will carry over—but skills aren't methods, and you will have to develop new methods.
When words like "hate" and "agony" come into play, then I do think it's time to consider not doing the thing that makes you feel like that.
Today is the fifth Tuesday of the month, which means that my answer to this heartfelt letter is available exclusively to my Patreon patrons.
Celebrate your glorious ideas rather than treating yourself as a failure because plots are trickier for you.
Romantic tension is one of those things that's often better managed during revisions, because it's all about pacing.
