HOW TO PLOT A STORY
by Marie Villarreal

I constantly receive e-mails with the age-old questions: How do I plot a story? How do I plot stories efficiently? Etcetera, Etcetera.

There is really no pat answer that I can give you. I can only tell you to plot your story with a method that is not only comfortable to you but use a system that will best serve your story. Different authors use different outlining methods. Some use none at all and just plow right into their stories relying on their subconscious and past thoughts about the work they wish to do to provide their "outline" as they progress.

I read in a recent edition of the award-winning writers' newsletter, The Flash, from www.awe-struck.net that some writers, while keeping their characters in the back of their minds rely on an outline system represented simply by the letters G, M and C. Each letter successively stands for the Goals the characters will have in the story, what Motivates them to achieve those goals and what Conflict(s)they will encounter in achieving their goals.

Other writers use more complex outlining systems. Professor Ruth Moose at UNC-Chapel Hill, North Carolina recommends writing the letters A, B, C, D, and E across the top of the writer's page to remind him or herself of what every story needs. In Ms. Moose's system:

• A=Action
• B=Background
• C=Characters and conflict
• D=Development
• E=Ending

Ms. Moose also recommends just briefly sketching in the background at the outset to orient the reader to place and time. As the story progresses and the characters move through the setting, you can add more details. Some writers, before beginning to write, do write detailed descriptions of their characters and primary settings while others create them as they write. You might try looking at sample settings for your story at the sites recommended below.

Story Starters (1) by Bob Wilkins
Welcome to Telling Tales - The Wonderful World of Stories!  by © Bob Wilkins 1998

Story Starters for Teens
Story Starters suggested by the Creative Writing for Teens Community

WRITING PROMPTS or STORY STARTERS
KIM'S KORNER FOR TEACHER TALK  © 1997-2001, Kimberly Steele

Story Starters Links (English)
Story Starters Links (Spanish)

Remember that there is no magical way to set up a story except organization and knowing your own story. And no one can tell your story in the way you know it. It's your story.