Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Create a story
• Method 2 of 3: Create a storyline
• Method 3 of 3: Prepare a story outline
• Tips
• Warnings

Even if you have a great idea for a story, plotting for it can be tricky. Fortunately, this is not what should stop you! To begin with, sketch out the big picture: what will happen (the main idea), with whom will happen (characters) and where will happen (setting). Then build your storyline using different types of storytelling. Finally, prepare a plan to make it easier for you to write your story.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Create a story

1. 1 Brainstormto come up with ideas for the plot. You need to write down all the thoughts before you start to make a whole picture out of them. Try to just write down everything that comes to mind in free form, or make a list of ideas. Don't worry that they are out of order. Just try to reveal every possible aspect of your story.
   • Brainstorm the overall idea, characters, setting, and location (whichever comes to mind).
   • You can draw a mind map to develop ideas visually.
   SPECIALIST'S ADVICE

   

   Lucy V. Hay

   
   
   Writer Lucy W. Hay is a writer, script editor, and blogger. Helps other writers through workshops, courses and his Bang2Write blog. He is the producer of two British thrillers. Her detective debut, The Other Twin, is currently being filmed by Free @ Last TV, creator of the Emmy-nominated series Agatha Raisin.

   Lucy V. Hay
   The writer

   Your design is the idea that will obey your entire story. Writer and screenwriter Lucy Haye says, “If you want to write a book, the first step is to come up with a concept. Concept is what gets the reader to pick up your book. When you have it, think about what the plot will be. This usually includes the structure of the story and its characters. Think about what will happen to the hero and what will come his way, including the antagonist and the circumstances of the action. "

   
   
2. 2 Describe the idea or summary. Design is the main idea of ​​the story. Write just one sentence to get started, and then develop it until you have a short summary.
   • Example sentence: Two best friends are in a car accident, but only one girl gets out of the car.
   • Short story example: Katya and her best friend Masha are thrilled to be invited to the party of the year. However, on the way there, Katya's car skids on a slippery road, and she crashes into a tree. Waking up in the hospital, Katya learns that Masha was not in the car. Now everyone is sure that Masha ran away with someone, but Katya knows that her friend was with her on the night of the accident.
3. 3 Make a table of major and minor characters. Include a description of each person's physical appearance, personal information, personality traits, and preferences. Create a biography of the main characters. Describe what the character will be like at the beginning of the story, and how he will change in the process.
   • Most importantly, determine what your character is aiming for.
   • The character table can be as long as it is short, it all depends on you. If you are writing a short story, a general sketch of the minor characters is enough.
   • Examples of character tables can be found on the internet.
4. 4 Determine what the conflict is. This conflict should appear early in the story to make the reader feel stressed. As the plot progresses, the conflict will grow and will reach its peak in the climax. At the end of the story, it should be resolved.
   • Internal conflict occurs in the hero's struggle with himself. For example, he knows he’s doing wrong, but he cannot stop.
   • External conflict occurs when the hero interacts with what surrounds him. There are three main types:
     • Man versus man: the protagonist confronts the anti-hero. For example, a girl struggles with her abuser.
     • Man versus nature: the protagonist is faced with natural forces. For example, hikers must survive in the forest during a severe hurricane.
     • Human versus society: The protagonist confronts problems in society or generally accepted norms. For example, a girl shows civil disobedience to change the law.
5. 5 Come up with setting. In other words, when and where the action will take place. The setting is very important to the plot because it determines how the story will look and how it will unfold. For example, society and technology in a story about the 1920s will be very different from society and technology today.
   • If you've chosen an unfamiliar setting or time period, do some research to get more information.
   • It would be nice to study photos of the scene. You can make them yourself or find them on the internet.

Method 2 of 3: Create a storyline

1. 1 Write down any story ideas that come to your mind. At the moment, it is not necessary to give them any meaning or to arrange them in chronological order. Just put your thoughts on paper. To begin with, you can write out all the exciting stories, and then add more as they appear in your head.
   • Don't force yourself to follow a logical message. The more ideas you write, the easier it will be for you to fill in the gaps in the plot.
2. 2 Come up with an opening scene that engages the reader. In this scene, you must introduce your character and location. Show the reader how the character behaves in everyday life. Add a touch of conflict, forcing the hero to face the corresponding problems.
   • This scene will serve as an introduction if the plot follows a traditional scenario. For example, the story about Kat and Masha, mentioned above, can be started from the moment when they go to a party. The car pulls slightly onto the sidewalk, forcing Katya to regain control of the vehicle.
3. 3 Create a starting scene. The development of the plot begins with her. It can happen at the beginning if you are writing a short story, or after several chapters if it is a whole novel. Make sure there is a conflict in this scene.
   • If the story is very short, you can use the opening scene to grab the reader immediately.
   • In the case of Katya and Masha, this will be the moment when the car crashes into a tree.
4. 4 Build a string to build tension. The plot begins after the opening scene and leads the reader to the climax. The tension should build up gradually as the action progresses. In short stories, this can be packed into one scene, while for long stories, it will take many scenes leading to the denouement.
   • If you are writing a long story, insert small inserts that will help ease the tension so that the reader can rest.
   • For example, a tie in the story of Katya and Masha may appear in the following scenes: Katya wakes up in the hospital, Katya talks to the police, Katya is recovering, Katya contacts her friends to find Masha, Katya studies social networks to track Masha, Katya searches the car and other places in search of Masha's tracks.
5. 5 Describe the climax. The climax is the pinnacle of the story, when the protagonist is confronted with a conflict face to face. This will be the peak of emotional tension that has grown throughout history and reached its limit.
   • For example, the culmination of the story of Katya and Masha may come when Katya finds Masha's phone under the seat in the car, thereby making sure that she was right. Katya steals her father's car and drives to the scene of the accident to find Masha. When the police arrive, Katya hides in the woods in search of a friend. And just about Katya should be caught, when suddenly she notices her wounded friend in the bushes.
6. 6 Determine the scene for the denouement. The denouement comes after the climax. It should be short and lead the reader to a conclusion. It serves to complete the story.
   • For example, in the case of Katya and Masha, the denouement will be the moment when Katya will help Masha, Masha will recover in the hospital, and everyone will apologize for not believing Katya.
7. 7 Come up with a satisfying conclusion for your story. At the end, the reader should not have any questions about the plot. There is no need for a happy ending, as many stories end badly. Nevertheless, the reader should be left with a sense of satisfaction from what he read, and he should endure something for himself.
   • The story of Katya and Masha may end with a small party in honor of Masha's recovery.
8. 8 Fill in the gaps between scenes as needed. Once you build the storyline, you may notice that some of the events are not very well connected. It's OK! At this point, you can come up with inserts that fill in the gaps in the story.
   • If you don't know how to navigate the plot from point A to point B, put a note to return to this point later. Until then, move on. You can fill this gap later.

Method 3 of 3: Prepare a story outline

1. 1 Determine how detailed you want to make plan. Perhaps you just need to describe each scene in one sentence, or you may want to write down everything that happens in each scene. It all depends on you! Both strategies can be effective in creating a good story plan.
   • Remember that you can always add something to the plan, and you don't have to write everything at once.
2. 2 Make up tiered plan to organize information. Layered plans are great for breaking up information into chunks. And this is a very good option for plot coordination. Usually such a plan consists of one or two levels, but if you want to make a more detailed version, you can add more levels. Here is the standard point numbering system:
   • Roman numerals (I, II, III, IV, V) for main points. For example, it might be a sentence that briefly describes a scene.
   • Capital letters (A, B, C) for subitems. For example, you can list each action from a specific scene.
   • Arabic numerals (1, 2, 3) for additional details. For example, what important information needs to be included or what needs to be added about minor characters.
   • Uppercase letters (a, b, c) for minor details. For example, what parameters or images you want to bring into this scene.
3. 3 Start at the beginning of the story and work it through to the end. It should be easy since you already have a storyline built. List the scenes in chronological order.
   • Number each scene in the correct order to complete the plan.
4. 4 Write one short sentence describing each scene. This will allow you to highlight the main points in the plan. Describe each scene in the story.
   • If you spot a gap in the story, fill it in. If you are unsure how you will handle this situation, provide a basic idea of ​​what needs to happen for the plot scenes to link together.
5. 5 Add detailed scene descriptions if desired. If you don’t want to include this in the plan, then you don’t need to. However, it will make it easier for you to write your story later on, depending on your writing style. Here are some details you can add:
   • A list of all the characters involved in this scene.
   • Description of each action in the scene.
   • Important notes on the image, premonitions, passion and so on.

Tips

• If you're writing a story where a villain is involved, come up with a motivation for him. If you think about it, it will be easier for you to develop the plot.
• Put yourself in the character's shoes when deciding what action to take.
• Take your time creating scenes. You need to have a balance between action, drama, and setting.
• Create harmony in your emotions. If you're writing a tragedy, add some humor. And for a fun comedy, a little drama doesn't hurt. If you're writing a novel, be sure to add some tension.
• Make a list of interesting ideas that come to mind. Some of them can fit well into the plot. Save the rest for the next story.
• Remember, the story is about your character's motivation. Before writing any major events in the story, pay attention to creating your character.
• Once you figure out what drives your character, stick with it. If you try to force the hero into the plot, it will seem unnatural to the readers. Believe in your character and use his past to resolve conflict. This will make the story sound better!

Warnings

• Do not hurry. It can take time to complete the story, and if you take your time, you can make it better.