Lecture on Plotting and Outlining Stories

Class Structure

• Second week focusing on plot
• Next week is Q&A session for plot-related questions
• Following week: Guest Mary Robinette will discuss short stories

Plot Elements: Promises, Progress, and Payoffs

• Discussed philosophy of these elements last week
• This week: Practical construction of plots and outlines

Outlining vs Discovery Writing

• Outline Writers: Frontload work, produce cleaner first drafts
• Discovery Writers: Offload work to revisions, may write multiple drafts

Outlining Method

• Not as formal as traditional outlines taught in school
• Editors look for summaries, not rigid structures
• Brandon Sanderson's outline methodology:
  • Top-Level Categories: Character, Setting, Plot
  • Character Section: Individual headings for main characters, side characters, arcs
  • Setting Section: Separate headings for physical and cultural settings, technology/magic
  • Plot Section: Key focus on promises, progress, and payoffs
  • Use plot archetypes to structure stories

Plot Archetypes vs Plot Structures

• Archetypes: Types of stories (e.g., heist, master-apprentice, romance)
• Structures: Forms the story takes (e.g., three-act format, Hero’s Journey)
• Heist Example (Mistborn):
  • Ocean’s 11 style: Team-building, explain problem, solving small pieces, final twist
  • Italian Job style: Initial problem-solving plan, unforeseen issues arise, improvisational solutions

Deconstructing Heist Archetypes

• Analyze successful heist stories to understand their structure
• Important elements:
  • Hypercompetent characters
  • Puzzle-solving aspect
  • Rebellion or breaking rules
  • Satisfaction of overcoming the impossible

Applying Plot Archetypes and Structures

• Mystery Plots: Clever detectives, puzzle-solving, reader involvement
• Relationship Plots: Can be in romance or buddy cop stories, human relatability
• Use identifiable archetypes to create stories relatable and engaging for readers

Combining Multiple Plot Archetypes

• For longer, more complex stories
• Example: Mistborn combines heist, master-apprentice, mystery, and romance
• Stormlight Archives: Multiple intricate plots interwoven
• Important to maintain a main plot to anchor the reader

Detailed Example: Creating an Outline

• Start with end goals (e.g., relationship outcomes, major plot events)
• Build backwards with essential bullet points
• Combine multiple archetypes: Ensure they progress naturally

Plot Structures: Hero’s Journey

• Developed by James Campbell
• Monomyth elements:
  • Call to adventure, refusal, crossing threshold
  • Trials, aid from mentors, descent into underworld
  • Atonement, receiving elixir, returning home transformed

Plot Structures: Three-Act Format

• Three main sections with key transitions:
  • Act 1: Setup, character becomes proactive
  • Act 2: Rising action, mid-point twist
  • Act 3: Climax, resolution, denouement
• Example: Star Wars overlaps hero’s journey and three-act format

Discovery Writing

• Example method: Mary Robinette's “Yes, but/No, and”
  • Character does what makes sense to solve initial problem
  • If successful, new problem arises (“Yes, but”)
  • If unsuccessful, stakes escalate (“No, and”)
  • Refine draft for coherence and foreshadowing

Q&A

• Keeping multiple plots engaging without losing reader interest
• Practical brainstorming for plots and scenes
• Adapting traditional structures while maintaining a fresh perspective