A plot is an overall conflict of a story, or a ‘general theme’. Beyond the mood and characters of a story, a novel’s plot is the main conflict and setting; such as searching for murderers.
A plot ‘structure’ is usually complex and makes a story ‘cohesive’. The basic elements include conflict, action and climax as well as an overall resolution, success or failure.
The most important part of a plot is that it gives your novel structure and don’t you forget it. By defining your plot early on, you are deciding who your main characters conflict is with, what the main characters dilemma and goals are and where you are leading your readers.
It is easy to see if your writing is getting off track if you know where the end is. Without knowing where the end of the story lay, you could write for the rest of your life and be walking your main character almost literally in circles.
There are many great resources available to the new and rising author. Here is a collection of some of the more definitive resources on the subject of plots:
Wikipedia: A Plot or Narrative
Then the more conversationally bound bloggers discussing plots
Has great in-depth information on structure and building a solid, strong plot for your novel.
What a Plot IS by Bill Johnson (An Essay)
A well written essay to persuade the everyday writer the importance of a plot, what it does for a writer as well as what its purpose is for the reader.
Plot structure: a Literary Elements Mini-Lesson
While targeted for primary school, Plot Structure is a basic of writing that no one wants to ignore.
Well, I hope this quick overview into what a Plot is and how important it is to the everyday writer, like you and I. Keep an eye out for more concerning character creation, plot structure, planning and organization as we delve deeper into the workings of writing a novel for the first or the tenth time.
Thanks for reading!
