Ask Your Plot Questions ... And We'll Try To Answer Them!

Character motivation in YA Decision Story 
Question: I have a YA WIP about a 17 y/o who wanted to be a musician and train at Juilliard. However she is diagnosed with a neurological disorder which …

Shallow plot 
Question: I seem to have a very shallow plot. It’s about a thirteen year old artist who gets sent away to an island for the summer by her parents. The …

Ending your plot lines in tandem or apart? 
Question: I have two plot lines. I know which one is major and which one is secondary. Currently they both end more or less in tandem at the end of the …

Two plotlines that don't have much to do together 
Question: I plan to write a pretty long sci-fi fiction story. I spent a lot of years writing but (mostly rewriting) this story, wrote about 400 pages …

Is my plot enough? 
Question: I'm writing a young adult novel about a boy who comes to Italy to study art for the summer and starts falling in love with the son of the host …

Parallel plots, different times  
Question: I am writing a book with two main characters. The novel starts in 2016 with an introduction of both characters (A&B), together, one space, …

High Concept Plot  
Question: How can I come up with a really new and good concept for a very high concept plot that will become a best seller. I need a way to be creative …

Main Character to Have More Than One Goal 
Is it possible for the main character to have more than one goal -- for instance, a small goal in the beginning of the book which gets shelved until the …

Which is the worse ending? 
Question: Which is the worse ending (or the better plot decision): To have a character achieve their goal knowing full well that it will kill them …

The Midpoint in a Romance 
Question: I’m currently writing a dramatic romance. Does the event that marks the midpoint in a romance have to happen to the main character herself? …

Advice on Writing Prologues 
I have just started to write a fantasy novel, but I am in a bit of a jam trying to decide whether to start with a prologue or no prologue. I have a rough …

Is My Novel Overly-Complex? 
Question: I am writing a fantasy story based around war. I'm a fan of the Red Blood series, Harry Potter, and anything concerning dragons. While planning …

Is the slow process of falling in love enough of a plot? 
Question Hello! I’m writing a book about a rape victim and her budding relationship with her neighbor. They had a really rough first impression with …

How to write seasons like "Breaking bad" or "Desperate Housewives", or a soap? 
Question: Can you help me define the story goal, the impact characters and other things, for a "soap" story like Breaking Bad? When Rhona …

Is this concept interesting / cliche and how do I start it?  
Question: I've been a fan of novels and shows similar to Game of Thrones, Red Queen, and Throne of Glass. I've also enjoyed writing short stories in …

Mystery Novel Planning 
Hello, Glen, I thank you for answering my previous question about Mystery Novel Resolution. I've purchased your novel planning workbook and written four …

Mystery Novel Resolution 
Hello, Glen, First of all, thank you for reading my question and providing your valuable suggestions. I wrote around fifty thousand words of my mystery …

How much time should I leave between main events? 
Question: I am writing a love story told from four different perspectives. I have about three main events with several parts to each of them. However, …

How to write sensitive topics? 
Question: I'm worried about how to write sensitive topics. The main theme of my story is trust and distrust, tying in with the theme, my main character …

Following a plot template? 
I'm starting a new book. I've planned out a lot about the main characters, and know the plot I have in mind in pretty good detail. However, I've recently …

How do I create an interesting plot with all this existing stuff? 
Question: So I've got a bit of a problem. I've created a rich, complex world, and unique characters, but there is one problem: I don't have any interesting …

Epic Fantasy Storyform(s) regarding Character Elements 
Question: Hey there! Thanks for all of the wonderful and enlightening information you provide on this site. My question: How do you allocate Character …

Story Goal Should Be...? 
I have an idea for a novel, one I've already written as a short story. But now that I'm thinking I'd like (love, really) to expand on it I'm having trouble …

Trying to Organize a Plot 
Question: I am trying to organize a plot to keep my writing moving from one goal to the next smoothly. I was looking for different methods of doing this …

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Romance in the Past 
I have a question about romance, or romance in the past, rather. I'm only in chapter 5 of my book, I have about 133 pages written so far, if that matters …

Too many love interests? 
I'm writing a love story. Well, it's not really a love story since the woman he ends up with isn't introduced until towards the end. And I may have too …

The ending I want or what my readers want? 
I'm writing a love triangle story, and I'm wondering if I should go with the ending I want or what my readers want? There's this boy who finds himself …

Wondering if my plot is too complicated. 
I'm writing a novel and I'm wondering if my plot is too complicated. The story mostly falls within the chick lit category (however, it's probably not typical …

Double plot structure? 
My story has developed into a miniseries with a double plot structure. It's about a group of young adults in a mental health care centre. They meet in …

Interludes in Second Act 
Hi Glen! Thank you for your priceless posts and advice. My novel begins with a prologue that occurs in the protagonist's past, from her first-person …

Can my story have two goals? 
Question: Can my story have two goals? I ask because I have thought of a story which my protagonist goes on a journey to find his long-lost brother and …

Searching for a female character... 
Question: I am trying to work on a novel, perhaps a series, about a human who becomes a vampire to fulfill a prophecy. My main challenge is that I am …

Three Main Characters. Do I need three Gandalfs/Dumbledores/Obi-Wans? 
Question: I've read on this site that for every main character that you write in the point of view of needs to have his or her own story arc. They each …

Problems with both Plotting and Pantsing. 
Question: I've been having problems with both plotting and pantsing. I have tried to get a Novel written several times now with varying success. With …

Writing the First Three Chapters 
For a project of mine (genre- young adult supernatural) I am writing the first three chapters of a novel. I've only ever been a short story writer and …

Three Main Disasters for my Story? 
Question: I've read various blogs and topics about how I need to figure out at least three main disasters for my story to work. Is that necessary? …

How to make Plot Twists 
Question: How exactly does one make a plot twist? It's my first time to write a story and I'd like to make a plot twist, how can I? Answer: The …

Apply Dramatica to the story of Snow White 
Question: I'm thinking of writing a Snow White retelling and am interested in seeing how Dramatica applies to it, but couldn't find an analysis of either …

The Goal of my Story 
What is the goal of my story? It's set mainly in the present. A group of people have taken over the world billion years ago and our current world is their …

Solidifying my story goal 
I just want your opinion on solidifying my story goal. I'm currently writing a dystopian novel about a group of people living in a totalitarian-like …

The Decision that Determines the Outcome 
Question: I am preparing the climax of my novel. I realize that there is a "moment of truth" before the actual climax where the character makes the decision …

Plotting a Children's Story 
I was wondering how you would go about plotting a children's story. Does it have a simple beginning, middle, and happy ending or is it more complex than …

Stuck on a Chapter 
Question: Help, I'm stuck on a chapter. I'm writing a story about a cop who has to protect his daughter from an obsessed, supernatural stalker. I was …

Revenge/freedom plot 
Question: My heroine wants to get revenge on some people who have mistreated her in the past, one of whom is a tyrannical parent figure whose influence …

Cliche story idea? 
Hi Glen! I would like to get your opinion on a story idea of mine. I don't know if it's unoriginal or cliche or completely nonsense, so any advice would …

Advice on Writing Subplots 
Question: How important is it to have a subplot that runs through much of the story? If an otherwise good story lacks one, would most agents or publishers …

A romance plot or a "defeating the villain" plot? 
Question: I have a story with some characters that I really like, but I haven't developed the main plot. I have the backstory, the character roles, and …

A Question Regarding Character Development and Romance 
A hello from Canada! I'm currently writing a YA novel. I already have the whole plot line listed out, and I've already written eleven chapters. …

Multiple relationship throughlines for multiple impact characters 
Hi Glen! I wanted to start off by thanking you for this website, it's helped me so much already with planning out my novel! I just wanted to ask: if I …

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Synopsis With Two Main Characters 
Hi, Glen, Thank you for your time. After completing the first draft, I started filling plotting workbook. In my romance work, Hero and Heroine share …

The Inciting Incident (And Everything Else) 
Question: I'm currently outlining my story and I have a somewhat loaded question. My story is a psychosexual religious horror novel (which is a weirdly …

Making the audience NOT feel sympathy for a character? 
I'm writing a webcomic with a novel-esque plot, and this is my first time planning any sort of story. I'd like some advice on making the audience not feel …

Advice on Writing a Series 
Question: I know exactly what I want, I just can't figure out how to it into a book. When I get an idea it plays in my head like a movie so it's never …

Structuring Time in my Novel 
Question: I would very much appreciate your insight on structuring time in my novel before going too far down a rabbit hole. Right now, the novel is …

Three main characters, only one perspective 
Question: I have a great idea for my book. The idea is that there is going to be three main characters, but only one perspective -- I only want to show …

lack of plot and motive 
Question: I currently have an idea I want to explore, but that suffers from a lack of plot and motive. The story involves a married couple. The woman …

Where to End Part 1  
I asked the question re: different POVs for Part 1 and Part 2. On a slightly related note, I'm not absolutely certain where to end Part 1 of the book. …

Lacking clear motive and goal 
Question: My story is about how one man works his way up into society so he can tear it apart from the inside. I feel that's the main "goal" of the story …

I've written myself into a corner. 
Question: I think I've written myself into a corner. I was working on a story where a woman has an affair with a mechanic while being engaged to …

Procrastination Problems. 
Question: Okay, I write a lot. I mean, a lot. I always start my stories off really great. I'll write a whole first chapter, but usually I give up after …

Animated Romance Movie Wall-E 
Question: I have a difficulty analyzing the plot structure for the animated romance movie Wall-E. Can a movie have two different stories with the same …

Pacing Plot Sequences 
I read your novel writing workbook, and came across Plot Sequences. Setup->Complication->Crisis->Resolution. I have some questions about pacing sequences. …

Too common a story goal? 
Question: I'm worried I have too common a story goal. I have the main character who finds out that her and 9 other kids have powers and are going on …

Need outlining help 
Question: I need outlining help. In my story, I have the beginning and end figured out, but I am needing help putting it all together. Try as I may, …

Can a story idea be too simple? 
Can a story idea be too simple? For example, I am making a film. It's going to be a machinima film made with a game engine and I want to make it while …

Every story has been done before. 
Every story has been done before!!! Please help? Sorry for that aggressive start, but I've been having this problem of avoiding cliches and such for …

How my stories should end. 
I usually start my stories off with a scene and then go onto developing the plot and everything. The characters are a big help as when I write they show …

How do I maintain my originality? 
Question: I am trying to write a young-adult, fantasy, romance type of novel. It's first person POV. The girl is the main character who is a vampire. …

In love with the wrong guy 
Question: Hello and thanks for you time. I am currently writing a teenage romance novel and the story goal is for the main character to get the guy …

Do-over Novels 
"In do-over novels, like Before I Fall (Lauren Oliver) and If I Stay (Gayle Forman) authors put their protags through Groundhog-Day-like reruns to measure …

Past Tense vs Present Tense 
Dear Glen, What are the advantages of writing a novel in past vs present tense? I have nearly finished my novel, the first draft anyway (800 words …

How to plot a character-driven story 
Question: I recently found out that I am more of a plot driven story teller. Before, when I think of an idea for a story, I tend to think of the plot …

Deeply pre-produced fantasy plot problems 
Greetings! :) I have a fantasy setting in mind. The world itself is more or less done (meaning there are religions, families, legends, even a different …

Stories being too similiar 
Question: I have an idea for a story about people with powers and the government rounds them up and throws them in these special prisons and kills them. …

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Story Goal: Key To Creating Solid Plot Problem  
Question: I'm having a few problems with plot outlines and such. I was reading about story goals to help solve this problem and am confused about something …

Plot Structure/Outline Issues 
Question: *I'd like to say that this happens to be a bit long because I obviously tend to ramble from nervousness, however I deeply appreciate the effort …

Story Progressing too Fast 
I'm trying to write a book, but I'm worried that the story is progressing too fast. On page six a lot has happened. But the thing is, I can't seem to find …

Two Main Characters? 
So I was indecisive if this would be a more character question or not, but I figured it would affect my plot more so here I am. Sorry before hand if I …

Story similarities 
Obviously I don't have the time to look through every story revolving around alternate universes to see whether my storyline is similar to another, but …

Where, in the story, should i start the book? (or should i make two books) 
Hey Glen, I have a story I have been wanting to write, but I have just one question: at which part of the story should I start the book on, and which …

Help With Creating a Fantasy World 
Hi, I just wanted to start out by saying thank you for this website! It's so helpful and I read it all the time, forever grateful! On to my question. …

First-Person Suicide 
Question: I'm on my second draft, with a main character struggling with emotional and mental health problems. I use the first-person in the past tense. …

Inciting Incident and Catalyst for Book Trilogy... 
Hi Glen, I'm a huge fan of your site. I'm in the process of plotting a trilogy novel and I know it's not an easy process which is why I've been doing …

I jump around during the writing process. Is that bad? 
Question: When I'm plotting out specific scenes that pique my interest at the time, I often freefall or scribble dialogue that happens later in the story, …

How Signposts Become Sequences 
Question: My question is about how signposts become sequences. To quote you... "each signpost is an event that may be subdivided into three or four …

How to plan a realistic course of events. 
Question: My main problem, which makes writing for me almost impossible, is the lack of understanding real-life events. Like how to get person X from …

Too Many Ideas? 
Question I'm thinking of writing story about a homeless girl approximately 15 or 16 years old who has been living on her own for most of her life. She …

forewarnings or costs? 
Question: Thanks so much for all the valuable information on this site. I'm loving every minute I spend here, but as I try to plan out my novel using …

Progressive vs. Static Story Elements in Creating an Outline 
Question: The last time I asked a question, you explained the difference between progressive plot elements and the static plot elements. To follow up …

Is this second POV needed? 
Question: I am writing a story with two main characters that don't really affect each others lives for 90% of the book. The main idea for the story came …

Decision vs Action Driver stories 
Question: I love your thoughtful blog. What advice can you give on writing a decision story? For unity, should you try to make more than one signpost …

Scenes vs Events 
Every time I read about Scenes vs Events I get confused. You talk about building the events with Setup, complication, crisis and resolution. I understand …

Middle-grade novels for girls vs boys 
Question: I have found that the plots of middle-grade novels geared towards girls seem to be less likely to follow the Dramatica model than novels geared …

Plot idea for a spiritual book 
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 …

Adding More to a Plot...? 
Question: My plot is clearly laid out, not in detail, though, so I can still change things about it as long as the goal at the end gets achieved. I was …

Distinguishing the Impact Character from the Relationship Throughline 
Question: Despite reading your very helpful webpage, the questions and answers section, and even other websites I am still having a difficult time distinguishing …

A Sagging Middle 
Question: I've read almost every article here and I still can't seem to get an interesting middle. I have a beginning and end. But have no idea how to …

How do you Outline a Book? 
Question: How do you lay out things to start a book off? Other than just chapters & a title? How do you outline a book? Answer: If you are writing …

Plot a Fantasy novel 
I am a youngster (18 years old) who always enjoyed to write stories. My main inspirations were always drawn from fantasy stories, mainly A Song of Ice …

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The Snowflake Method of Plotting Stories 
Question: Hey I was wondering your opinion on the snowflake method of plotting stories and what it entails? Answer: The snowflake method is essentially …

Character Driven vs Plot Driven? 
Question: What is the difference between character driven vs plot driven vs theme driven stories? Also, can you please give some examples of each? …

Writing Filler Chapters 
Question: What is the right way to do filler material in a story? Lots of the middle of my story would technically be classified as 'filler', being …

The main theme 
Question: I am dealing with the problem of finding the main theme of my writing project. I want to write fantasy (my writing style is a little unsettling …

What my book Means 
Question: My biggest problem is trying to sum up what my book means. ideas, characters dialogue etc is never a problem but the overall take-home message …

An Original Story?  
Hi, Just wondering what is an 'original plot' as I have heard of it a number of times in writing articles. And could you tell me what elements comprise …

Domain Explanation Please? 
Question: I read through the Harry Potter SignPost Explanation you gave elsewhere. Can you explain the concept of the domains: Situation (external …

A Conundrum of Sorts Regarding Flashbacks 
Question: The theme of my story is how history is being reenacted, and I have this idea to tell the story in a sequence of present day and past scenes. …

Repeating events in each Throughline 
Question: First of all, this is a brilliant resource so thank you! I have gone through all of the steps and tried my best to follow them through. But, …

Character/relationship throughlines 
Hi, I've writing a murder mystery and this site has been fantastic for getting my plot together, so thanks! It all feels almost ready to go - but trying …

Coming of Age Story 
Hello! I have a story idea of 4 (sometimes 5) characters who are coming of age that are each "running away" (in a sense) from their current lives. …

Figuring out the plot 
Question: When starting to write your story/novel, should you already have the entire story (including the ending and any plot twists) planned out before …

Writing Trilogies: Episodes, Books or Chapters? 
Question: I have been afraid to ask this question for fear that it would be too convoluted, so I will take a cleansing breath real quick and then attempt …

Love Triangle Questions 
Question: So in my story, the love triangle is a major player in the plot to reach the turning point in the story. But my problem is, every time I try …

How to develop my plot 
I've read your articles but I am still confused about how to develop my plot... and since I am not good in English I hope you understand. My story is …

Plan Your Book Chapter by Chapter 
Question: How do you plan your book chapter by chapter? Answer: You will probably have some planning to do before you worry about chapters. You …

Turning the 8 easy steps into 8 meaningful signposts 
Hello Mr. Strathy and everybody (seems this family is growing more and more): I don't know how to handle the following problem: once you have followed …

Fleshing my story out. 
Question: Ok, so I have the very basic plot down, but I'm having trouble fleshing out my story. Right now, it's like, "The main character does this …

Happy Ending that is Snatched Away 
Question: So I have an ending for my book where everything is wrapped up nicely, except that in the last chapter, the happy ending is snatched away. …

Christmas Novel 
Question I've always been passionate about Christmas and holiday themes, and I think I'd enjoy writing a Christmas novel more than anything. I hesitate …

8 Plot Points for a Basic Outline 
On this site, you talk about the 8 Plot Points for a basic outline, Throughlines and Signposts, choosing your Main and Impact characters, and how Dramatica …

Plotting a Comic Book Series 
Question: Hey there I'm a comic/manga writer interested in plotting a comic book series. I would like to know how do I create something like a chart …

Predictable Plot: Nay or Yay? 
Question: I just read another question about when and where to place a plot twist. It got me wondering about whether or not it is necessary to throw …

Better understanding of the 8 Plot Outline steps Please! 
Question: So I loved how you were really a BIG help on my last question so I have some more! But these will kind of all be about your 8 steps to …

Personal Conflict and the Climax 
Question: My question is about the relationship between a character's personal conflict and the climax. In the plot outline provided by your site it …

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When should the rising action begin  
Question: I have thirteen thousand words and my rising action happened three thousand words ago and I want to write a seventy to eighty thousand word …

Two plots in one story  
After heavy modifications, I now have two plots in one story. The two plotlines affect each other so...much...that I can't figure out which one is the …

More than four signposts in your story?  
Question: Would having more than four signposts in your story (overall throughline) or elsewhere be okay? There could be one more thing that pushes …

Novel Structured Like an Essay 
Question: Can you make a novel structured like an essay, i.e. intro, body, conclusion, with the body being the storyline? Response: A nonfiction …

Can I Switch Main Characters After Three chapters? 
Question: Here´s another question that´s been eating my insides. Can I switch MCs after three chapters, and would that require 2 plots? I am confident …

A Story Goal that Becomes a Different Goal 
I´m having major problems with my novel outline, specifically a story goal that becomes a different goal part-way through. Hope you can help. My story …

Effective Ways of Foreshadowing 
Question: I am currently working on a fantasy novel of my own. However, I am having problems with foreshadowing. How do authors foreshadow? What are …

Writing Sequels to a Book  
Question: I was wondering about writers who might write up to four or even eight books. How do they go about writing sequels to a book they have written? …

To begin the story. 
Question: I have tried and tried to begin the story and just can’t seem to get it right because the beginning is everything in my opinion. I want to …

An ending open to interpretation 
I've written about a quarter of my novel and have changed the ending a little in my mind. So, right now, I'm toying with two ideas. One is an ending open …

Putting more than one signpost in a scene 
Hello. I've been using your article "Writing an Outline of Your Novel" to further develop my already existing structure of a novel. It was tremendously …

Converting the 16 signposts into sequences 
Question Actually, my main character isn't the protagonist so the main character, the impact character and the relationship thoroughline are important …

Truth as the Story Goal 
Question: I'm kinda planning a series ahead of time, myself. But only the general information about it - such as the goal and consequence. Specifics …

Predictable plot in romance. 
Question: Some people have mentioned that my ending is predictable although still quite satisfying. Well, it's a love story and ends the way one would …

What makes a climax anticlimactic?  
Question What makes a climax anticlimactic? I've finally reached the climax of my novel. Your website has helped me a lot. However, I'm worried that …

Is This A good Idea for a Plot? 
Question: I'm not too good at writing, so bear with me. :D Okay, there's a 16-year-old girl named Ivy, who has a secret that causes her a lot of trouble: …

Dramatica Requirements 
Question: I've always had a lot of trouble working out the Requirements bit of my stories. I understand how it might work for stories where the goal …

A good ending for a zombie novel 
Question: I'm trying to find a good ending for a zombie novel I'm writing. It's from a first-person perspective. I was in the middle of writing the …

Character Throughlines and Main Story Throughline 
Question: My problem is that I have two primary characters in my story. One of them is most definitely the "Main Character" because the major signpost …

Too many plotlines? 
Question: I'm worried my novel may too many plotlines. My plot outline (or synopsis, not sure which) is this: A college student nabs a spot on a prestigious …

Developing Backstory/World 
Question: I'm rewriting a sci-fi story of mine and running into serious problems with developing the backstory and world gradually. Many books featuring …

Putting Cliffhangers at the end of Chapters 
I used to write on the internet, so each 'chapter' or 'part' was only about 600 - 1000 words. I had a habit of putting cliffhangers at the end of chapters. …

Multiple Climaxes in a Story 
Question: Can you have multiple climaxes in a story? Let me explain and add a few other questions... In my story (I haven't finished writing it yet …

Create Different Throughlines and Signposts 
Question: I can't see the difference between Overall Throughline and the others. I don't know how I can create different throughlines and signposts following …

Inciting Event and Plot Believability In Book Series 
Question: I'm writing a book series (the first of four books) and the inciting event is a minor character's death that the main character uses as an …

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Problem Introducing Characters 
Question: I am struggling with coming up with a solid first chapter because I really want to throw the readers into the action. I have a problem introducing …

A Plot with a Fresh Twist 
I've been trying to finalize the outline of my novel, however I'm skeptical and critical of every plot outline I've come up with. I'm to the point where …

Every character around the main character changes 
Question: As I build my outline (using your INCREDIBLY helpful articles here on this site. THANK you!) I have easily found an overall main character …

Beginning a Story with a Typical Day. 
Question: I need major help with this series I'm writing. In particular, I would like feedback on beginning the story with a typical day in the main …

Creating Story Events 
Question: One of the questions I find most important is creating story events. I can imagine an event but when I look at it I don't find it connected …

Writing Transitions Between Scenes 
Question: What are the smoothest ways to write a transition from one scene to another scene in an entirely different location within the same chapter? …

Plot Outline vs. Synopsis: What's the Difference 
Question: what is the difference between a plot outline and a synopsis? Answer: You may find some people use these terms interchangeably, and some …