Thanks for this! I started writing my own fiction story then realized that I hadn't thought much through the plot, world, etc. I went through and wrote out the plots and subplots using the hero's journey for my primary characters. Thank you for confirming that this technique works. I also will consider the relationships with each other.
This actually helped me a lot. I have all of this out and of course it my mind, but it can get so messy. I'm finding these at the right time...thank you for making them.
Wow, I'm so glad I found this. I write for a hobby, normally short stories with one main plot going on. Right now, I want to try writing something longer. Give myself like a whole year or something to work on it. I always get stuck trying not to turn it to a short story. I've planned the layout, storyboard, plot liner. It has rising actions, climax, falling actions and all. But it still was too short. After watching I realized.."yeah, I could give more dimension to my character by adding events that made her into her present self. but w/o over doing it, that is." ..Thanks :)
As a Newbie, aspiring writer I have viewed many good You TUBE videos & resd A dozen GREat Books, but this video is perhaps THE MOST helpful I have seen. T/y for shring
I just realized - Game of Thrones's author George Martin employs all the features of writing you just mentioned. It is no wonder why his writing is so interesting, lively, fresh, organic, and so on, and why he is so popular. Anyway, thank you for the points!
Funny thing, since I posted on here and before I opened my messages that's exactly what I've been doing. Result: something I'm far happier with. Thanks for posting, man.
Hey there! I’m trying my hand at writing a novel again and had no idea where to start with subplots until I watched this. I had my so called light bulb moment, lol. Thank you for sharing this! ❤️
Thank you so much for making this video! I'm currently working on writing a story and these tips and explanations really helped me to device a better plot and also giving my characters a more human presentation. Thank you. :)
I would like to see a demonstration of what a written out plot might look like... is it just a bullet list, a timeline? a grid or chart? I have tried several of these and have not found one way that I like to have an all encompassing major and subplot reference.
Thanks, this was a very informative video. I appreciate your keen insights about character development. It's nice to hear about creating the lives of the characters, because it's true - they've been living likely a lot longer than the main plot takes place in... unless they're a baby. Great work.
@Transplanar I love the videos in part because of the delivery - no frills and right to the point. Never thought the voice was lacking energy either - Your mileage may vary I guess...
Hi, what do you think on the "discovery" writer? vs the "architect" (a planner!) - Shouldn't the discovery writer find this "along the way".. etc., King in his book (on writing) says that his characters make all his decisions. But I imagine he must have some rudimentary plans! What do you say? Could you do a video on these differences on discover vs archiects writer? Cheers for Info !!!
I'm intrigued by your videos, but I think your presentation needs a little work. When you talk it's like you just rolled out of bed and it just seems really monotone and dry. This one seems a little better than your other ones, but I don't think it would hurt to be a little more lively in the future. Just a suggestion.
I'm having some disillusion right now. Every time I sit down, I end up in this funk. Feeling like I'm either: becoming a one trick pony, shilling out the same tone and style; or I'm going through the motions in tried and true, but really boring plots. Plots that are pretty much cliche. I'm a fan old noire and I can't find a way to evoke that spirit without following the trends. Do you have any ideas or exercises on jogging that inspiration when you feel stale?
In my making backstories for each side characters, I see they are tend to end up doing their own things. Like, I made a companion character to follow my protagonist's journey but before they leave, that side character went back to his homeland oversea to attend his own business. I guess he still has intention to help the protagonist but I was like nooo...what is going on? I am bit frustrated in what am I doing wrong. I am worried each side characters are creating their separate stories and competing for becoming a main character himself more than developing the main plot. Your words subplots being integral part of the story seem to give me some hints in what I should do. Before I didn't have a notion of a subplot in my mind in writing. Am I too carried away in making side characters' stories or is it okay to wait for them to come back on their own terms to my main character (which will make the story too long to finish my ever first draft)?
+nabi767 Good question. I'd say go ahead and make up each character's stories but simply don't include it in the final story. If a secondary character has a compelling story, write a story about them, separate from the story you're working on now. Hope that helps!
Make a compelling reason for the side character to stay. if they want to go back home have some challenge or obstacle get in the way that forces them to stay by the hero.
If not, then i have some tips: If with bad you are refering to boring, then try adding subplots like he said, also adding events that not necessary help the plot, but character develovement, for example in a novel about school you could try to put the characters in a science fair or just a party, etc. If you think your story just doesn't work then solve it by writting what the main plot is or what is your main proposal to the reader, for example, in the Harry Potter series, is a magic school. Then imagine how you want to use that proposal in your novel, what perspective is better to narrate it, and how much the protagonist and the reader will know. Then think how it will start and how it will end, this last part is important because all that happens in the book will get the characters and the reader there. Everything that is between those two will be a concern later.
What I would do is search for alternatives. Brain storm for ten minutes every time you write, brainstorm about: other places in the fictional world you are creating, characters that haven't appeared in your stories before, events that you haven't put in a story before. You may have a good idea of what the fictional world is like but explore further. Imagine yourself as an explorer of that fictional world. Write down what ever ideas you come up with before you judge them. Best of luck.
Thanks for this! I started writing my own fiction story then realized that I hadn't thought much through the plot, world, etc. I went through and wrote out the plots and subplots using the hero's journey for my primary characters. Thank you for confirming that this technique works. I also will consider the relationships with each other.
Just became one of my favorite youtube tutorials. Thanks.
This actually helped me a lot. I have all of this out and of course it my mind, but it can get so messy. I'm finding these at the right time...thank you for making them.
Wow, I'm so glad I found this. I write for a hobby, normally short stories with one main plot going on. Right now, I want to try writing something longer. Give myself like a whole year or something to work on it. I always get stuck trying not to turn it to a short story. I've planned the layout, storyboard, plot liner. It has rising actions, climax, falling actions and all. But it still was too short. After watching I realized.."yeah, I could give more dimension to my character by adding events that made her into her present self. but w/o over doing it, that is." ..Thanks :)
This is helpful! just watching made me think of the holes i have in my fiction story, that i'm writting. :)
Thank you for the deep thoughts and ideas for the authors!
As a Newbie, aspiring writer I have viewed many good You TUBE videos & resd A dozen GREat Books, but this video is perhaps THE MOST helpful I have seen. T/y for shring
Barry Patterson what's with all the weird capitalization? Like "you TUBE" and "Newbie"
lol
I just realized - Game of Thrones's author George Martin employs all the features of writing you just mentioned. It is no wonder why his writing is so interesting, lively, fresh, organic, and so on, and why he is so popular. Anyway, thank you for the points!
Funny thing, since I posted on here and before I opened my messages that's exactly what I've been doing. Result: something I'm far happier with. Thanks for posting, man.
Hey there! I’m trying my hand at writing a novel again and had no idea where to start with subplots until I watched this. I had my so called light bulb moment, lol. Thank you for sharing this! ❤️
Very helpful, I've been writing fiction book and the whole bit about the sub plots and developing the other characters is a big help to me.
Thank you so much for making this video! I'm currently working on writing a story and these tips and explanations really helped me to device a better plot and also giving my characters a more human presentation. Thank you. :)
I would like to see a demonstration of what a written out plot might look like... is it just a bullet list, a timeline? a grid or chart? I have tried several of these and have not found one way that I like to have an all encompassing major and subplot reference.
Thanks I have been struggling with writing my book. This really helped. Please post more about this.
Thanks, this was a very informative video. I appreciate your keen insights about character development. It's nice to hear about creating the lives of the characters, because it's true - they've been living likely a lot longer than the main plot takes place in... unless they're a baby. Great work.
This video was really helpful and informative. Definitely going to help me structure my plot a lot better. Thanks for sharing these tips. 👍🏼
Thanks, I now get why a sub plot is useful! great, will look up your other stuff.
Good tips, I am definitely going to use your videos to help write my first novel!
@Transplanar I love the videos in part because of the delivery - no frills and right to the point. Never thought the voice was lacking energy either - Your mileage may vary I guess...
Thanks a lot for sharing these videos. Great information! I will definitely use these great tips!
My plot confuses me so much.
I have all these plot points I want to include but Idk where to fit them in so that it all makes sense chronology :(
Excellent and concise. Thanks.
Hi, what do you think on the "discovery" writer? vs the "architect" (a planner!) - Shouldn't the discovery writer find this "along the way".. etc., King in his book (on writing) says that his characters make all his decisions. But I imagine he must have some rudimentary plans! What do you say? Could you do a video on these differences on discover vs archiects writer? Cheers for Info !!!
Thank you Cy... Looking forward for more of your videos. Also, if possible, please do share your knowledge about creating a zig-zag story model.....
Thanks Cy! I'm currently starting a novel, but any tips are welcome. I'd like to look at your website, and other videos. :-)
thanks, very constructive cy, what about the board behind you, how to use, where to buy? thanks.
I'm intrigued by your videos, but I think your presentation needs a little work. When you talk it's like you just rolled out of bed and it just seems really monotone and dry. This one seems a little better than your other ones, but I don't think it would hurt to be a little more lively in the future.
Just a suggestion.
Transplanar, this is your issue, not his.
Your info is good. Don’t let other people’s hang-ups hold you back! I learned from this video. Thanks.
I'm almost done with my first novel, my novel resembles that of hunger games format, but different genre.
Good luck finishing it.
This has been very insightful...i had hit a wall early on and felt helpless. Thanks.
Great suggestion, I will certainly make a video about this!
I'm having some disillusion right now. Every time I sit down, I end up in this funk. Feeling like I'm either: becoming a one trick pony, shilling out the same tone and style; or I'm going through the motions in tried and true, but really boring plots. Plots that are pretty much cliche. I'm a fan old noire and I can't find a way to evoke that spirit without following the trends. Do you have any ideas or exercises on jogging that inspiration when you feel stale?
make a character web too maybe?
In my making backstories for each side characters, I see they are tend to end up doing their own things. Like, I made a companion character to follow my protagonist's journey but before they leave, that side character went back to his homeland oversea to attend his own business. I guess he still has intention to help the protagonist but I was like nooo...what is going on? I am bit frustrated in what am I doing wrong. I am worried each side characters are creating their separate stories and competing for becoming a main character himself more than developing the main plot. Your words subplots being integral part of the story seem to give me some hints in what I should do. Before I didn't have a notion of a subplot in my mind in writing. Am I too carried away in making side characters' stories or is it okay to wait for them to come back on their own terms to my main character (which will make the story too long to finish my ever first draft)?
+nabi767 Good question. I'd say go ahead and make up each character's stories but simply don't include it in the final story. If a secondary character has a compelling story, write a story about them, separate from the story you're working on now. Hope that helps!
+Cy Porter Thanks for sharing your insight! That gives a lot of help and encouragement :)
Make a compelling reason for the side character to stay. if they want to go back home have some challenge or obstacle get in the way that forces them to stay by the hero.
+Jace Boster (Ghosty) That is really a great advice I can put into my work! Thanks a lot.
You kind of remind me of Ian Hawke (David Cross) from Alvin and the Chipmunks. :)
Very helpful! Thank you!
thanks, you were really helpful
im writting this stiry but I think its kinda bad and could use alot of help SOS
Could you give more information?
If not, then i have some tips:
If with bad you are refering to boring, then try adding subplots like he said, also adding events that not necessary help the plot, but character develovement, for example in a novel about school you could try to put the characters in a science fair or just a party, etc.
If you think your story just doesn't work then solve it by writting what the main plot is or what is your main proposal to the reader, for example, in the Harry Potter series, is a magic school. Then imagine how you want to use that proposal in your novel, what perspective is better to narrate it, and how much the protagonist and the reader will know. Then think how it will start and how it will end, this last part is important because all that happens in the book will get the characters and the reader there. Everything that is between those two will be a concern later.
What I would do is search for alternatives. Brain storm for ten minutes every time you write, brainstorm about: other places in the fictional world you are creating, characters that haven't appeared in your stories before, events that you haven't put in a story before. You may have a good idea of what the fictional world is like but explore further. Imagine yourself as an explorer of that fictional world. Write down what ever ideas you come up with before you judge them. Best of luck.
Good stuff
Really helpful, thanks :)
good tips.
Thaks bro
awesome
Forget the genre and write something raw and you.
Write about what you love.
helpful
I've got a plot for a story but it has a big hole In it!😂
Gremlinz
I call thoughs doughnuts
i see what you did there :)