I have never tried to hide the fact that plot and I do not have a loving relationship. It is not my strong point but I continue to try to learn how to harness the power of plot in order to improve my story.
This Wednesday’s writing tip is a pointer to The Plot Whisperer, Martha Alderson. Her blog and her website are both filled with lots of juicy tips on plot. She even has a test you can take to find out what your strength is, plot or character.
Every month Martha interviews authors about their views and methods of dealing with plot. This month she interviewed me! You can read more about my love/hate affair with plot here.
I ordered Martha Alderson’s Blockbuster Plot DVD. I haven’t had a chance to watch it yet though. Plot is def hard.
I hope the DVD helps you! Me, I need all the help I can get with plot.
Man, if only others found following my characters around as fascinating as I do…sigh. Great link, Susan — and great interview! I am definitely another character-driven writer.
Oh boy, don’t I hear you on that! Though lately even I don’t find my characters all that interesting. 🙂
I’m planning to do a combo of Martha’s plotting technique and your writing of scenes on this YA (as long as I can stand it without the plotting!) I’m going to do a basic scene tracker of what I know, just to get it on paper, then I’m going to pick some scenes that call to me and see what grows in my brain as I write those.
Wish me luck!
Luck! I tried linking all my random scenes and got garbage. Now I have to go back and study transitions. I can’t move anyone around without it sounding like at third-grader’s story.
Great interview, Susan! I’m usually drawn to plot and struggle more with characterization, but in my newest project, I don’t have a firm handle on either and I’m freaking out. Freaking. Out. I’ve never done the random scenes thing before, but as I feel lots of freewriting coming my way, I think I’ll be giving that a try!
LOL on Freaking. Out. But it is LOL with sympathy because after working on my stuff this week I’m ready to throw in the towel and just do WFH for the rest of my life.
Or dig worms.
Or something easier.
Oh no. It’s true, just about *anything* is easier, sometimes. Hang in there…