Plot idea for a spiritual book
by Akber
(Bangalore, kar, India)
Question: A parable set in the contemporary world opening in the present-day social milieu in India, then moving on to exotic Indian locations, to uncharted places centred on nature like bio-diversity hotspots; dramatically desolate landscapes of the Indian deserts; meeting obscure mystics who seem to be characters from traditional Indian folklore etc. It may be called a "creative non-fiction.”
So the protagonist is disillusioned with his present life…and seeking answers to big questions; not just the meaning of life but seeking truth itself. Thus disenchanted with life’s vicissitudes, paradoxes and mysteries he leaves his busy city life and, following a new awareness gained through daunting, adventurous travels and focused single-minded seeking, he comes to live an authentic life with a heightened sense of self.
The aim of the book is to convey this wisdom to the reader through a parable designed to pluck at their heartstrings.
I need specifics to add meat to this outline. Any ideas?
Answer: The specifics are your job to develop. (They are what will make your story uniquely yours.) On this site, we only offer help on structure or general writing techniques.
The archetype for this type of story is the Quest. The basic pattern is...
Act 1. The main character, stuck in an unsatisfying
Act 2. He sets out on the journey, and makes some initial progress; has some adventures; acquires friends; faces enemies, temptations, and challenges; gains some rewards; and generally feels encouraged.
Act 3. Past the point of no return, he discovers the task is not as easy as he hoped. The difficulties increase until they appear too great for him to overcome, given his psychological limitations. He is caught in a dilemma. Should he hold fast to his approach or way of being, or change and do/become something totally new and different? He has no idea which choice is the right one, and the wrong one will cost him everything.
Act 4. He is forced into a final confrontation or challenge on which everything depends. At the critical moment, he makes the right choice, and receives all the rewards (the authentic life he has been seeking). In a non-spiritual Quest, he usually finds true love with a woman. In a spiritual Quest, the reward is union with life, the universe, God, etc. and he may be left in a position to help the next seeker.
Best of luck.
- Home
- Plot Questions
- Plot idea for a spiritual book
Search this site...
|
||
| site search by freefind |
100% Human Generated Content!
All
articles on this website were written by a human being -- one possessed of flaws and limitations, but also with a personal perspective and a desire to help fellow
writers. No article on this site was written by or with the aid of artificial intelligence (AI).
Popular Articles
Mini-Course
Never be stuck for a great story idea again! This online mini-course will show you how to create simple ideas for original characters and build a plot around each character that contains the essential elements needed for a compelling story.
Recent Postings
-
Writing thoughts and diary entries.
Question: This is my first time trying to write, I constantly imagine fictional scenarios, so I decided to write a novel with them, but in my idea, we -
Synopsis Format
Question: Hello! Thank you for answering my question about how many characters to add in a synopsis! I should have included this question with my last -
How many characters to include in a synopsis
Question: Hello! I'm new to your site, and I love it! I didn't see a question and answer page for synopsis writing, so I wasn't sure where to post this
"I've read more than fifty books on writing, writing novels, etc., but your website has the most useful and practical guidance. Now that I understand how a novel is structured, I will rewrite mine, confident that it will be a more interesting novel." - Lloyd Edwards
"Thanks to your "Create a Plot Outline in 8 Easy Steps," I was able to take a story that I simply just fooled around with and went willy nilly all over, into a clearly defined, intriguing battle where two characters fight to keep their relationship intact, and try to find a balance in control of themselves and their lives. Thanks to you, I'm not ashamed of the poor organization of my writing." - Nommanic Ragus
"I am so glad I found your site. It has helped me in so many ways, and has given me more confidence about myself and my work. Thank you for making this valuable resource, for me and my fellow writers. Perhaps you'll hear about me someday...I'll owe it to you." - Ruth, Milton, U.S.A.
"I never knew what to do with all the characters in my head, but since discovering Dramatica I am writing again in my spare time. Thank you for making this available. Yes, it is a bit complex, and it does take time, but I love it because it works." - Colin Shoeman
"I came across your website by chance. It is a plethora of
knowledge, written in a simplistic way to help aspiring writers. I
truly appreciate all of the information you have provided to help me
successfully (relative term) write my novel. Thank you very much!" - Leo T. Rollins
"I
can honestly say that this is the first website that is really helpful.
You manage to answer complex questions in relatively short articles and
with really intelligent answers. Thank you for taking the time to write
these articles and sharing them so generously." - Chrystelle Nash
"...had no idea that a simple click would give me such a wealth of valuable information. The site not only offered extremely clear and helpful instructions but was a very enjoyable read as well. The education from your wonderful site has made me a better writer and your words have inspired me to get back to work on my novel. I wish to give you a heartfelt thanks for How to Write a Book Now, sir." -- Mike Chiero