What’s plot? It’s what makes readers turn pages. Keeps them wanting more. And what’s a better way to learn about plot than the movies? I guess it’s because my friend is a screenwriter and that’s why I use the screenplay method to plot my novels. Also because the Screenwriters Expo happens every year, for only like $58 for all three days, and said friend drug me to the LA Convention Center one year and BOY was I glad she did. I got to hear Aaron Sorkin talk all things West Wing, which I totally got on tape and feel sort of stalkerish when I replay his wise words from time to time. I learned a lot of things. About the 2 minute pitch. About leaving out all of the boring stuff. About formulas.
A screenplay is usually 120 pages long. Works out to be a page for a minute of screen time. And, you know what? I think formulas work.
Here’s the recipe:
4 engaging characters [could be more could be less] with amazing backstories that stay off the page, for the most part
3 conflicts that make the readers’ hearts break, or make readers cling to their boyfriend or girlfriend in utter terror, or laugh so hard they think they might pee [add subplots to taste]
2 important scenes…the Point Of No Return where the main character can’t go back to his/her old life [the beginning of the book] and The Climax where everything is laid on the line [lives, fortunes, worlds]
1 Ending that is surprising yet inevitable [sprinkle with happiness, or sadness as needed; include healthy amounts of ambiguity if desired]
And that’s pretty much it. Here’s a great plot analysis of Raiders of the Lost Arc. I use a variation on this to help plot my stories. I’m not really into outlines, so defining seven key points in my story is really helpful when I begin to write a new story.
Happy plotting. And the best part of Fiction Pie? No calories 🙂 Visit the rest of the Carnis to find out their secret recipes!
WOW… you had me at ‘What’s plot’ !! I might just have to start using your ideas : )
Hee-hee…Plot is such an intimidating word! I like boiling it down into things I can wrap my head around. I’m SO not a planner, so this kinda works for me:) Glad you found something useful here. What’s so amazing is that we all have our own individual ways to get to The End and it’s fascinating how we all get there! Have a great weekend… 🙂
Timequake by Kurt Vonnegut is a book that I swear has no plot. The conflict is that the timequake happened, now it’s over, and everyone is just talking about it.
The plot was everything that happened during the timequake, but now it’s over. The book consists of everyone talking about a plot that has already concluded. And yet somehow, it is so indescribably interesting.
I’m mentioning the flip side of your entry today. c:
Mckenzie,
Wow. Hubby is SUCH a Kurt Vonnegut fan. I’ll have to ask him about this one when he gets back from Portlandia! How interesting. I love books that test the limits of what “works” in fiction. Thanks so much for bringing this up! So true. I guess the masters can get away with anything! Thanks for mentioning the post. Hope you have a great weekend!
Love your “recipe”. Also wanted to tell you that I’m in the middle of 13 ON HALLOWEEN and lovin’ it! I was such a dodo in jr high.
Bryna, Glad you found something to love in my ramblings 🙂 Thanks for your kind words about 13 on Halloween. It’s my first funny book and I hope it makes you laugh a little. SO WAS I! Write what you know, right? hee-hee…damn those peacocks! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Huh! I think it’s really interesting that you use a screenwriting formula to write your books! Just making it a little easier for the screenwriters when you’re approached about a book-to-screen adaptation? 😉
The seven-point outline is actually really cool. You can outline a little, but still be mostly a pantser. 😉 So just curious, why Raiders and not Last Crusade? Because we all know Crusade was the best Indy film ever 😉
Hee-hee…I blame it on living in LA for 23 years…it rubs off on you. I did everything from painting sets in Hollywood to working at E! Entertainment Television to going on junkets and interviewing Quentin Tarantino. I SO want my own theatre to watch movies in like Quentin. He rocks. I lived in Echo Park too, where a lot of the silent film stars had their studios. So screenwriting was in the air.
From your words to Hollywood contracts, my friend! **dreaming big**
Seven points are all that I can keep in my little brain…;) Raiders? Because it has the beginning I want to write in a book one day…the BEST first five minutes of any movie Evah, You are in Media Res and you SO care about Indy. IMHO!! hee-hee Thanks for swinging by Dani!
Wow… sorry. I overdid the winking. Now my post just looks creepy.
ROTFL!!!!! 🙂 😉 😉 I don’t think a post can have two many winks!
Laura, I am so with you! I learned a great deal from my screenwriting I translated into plotting for my books–it’s amazing how seeing a pared down script can show you exactly how to go about putting a novel together… I LOVE it. And I’m jealous about the conference… I have to get me to Cali! Great post!
hee-hee…there is something so ugly about planning and so elegant about a story that works. It’s a mystery how it all works, and it’s been so much fun checking out everyone’s process! Thanks for stopping by 🙂
Great information, Laura! The beauty of collaborating with such great talent is the opportunity for sharing formulas that work. Thanks for your post.
T,
Awww *blushes* TY! I’ve learned so much this week:) very inspired by all our Carnis!
Love this Laura! As a theater teacher I can totally relate to your favoring of the screen writer’s formula. Personally, I’m a sucker for the good old fashioned six point plot mountain! Thanks for sharing this!