PLOT   (only nine plots)

In any good plot, the protagonist has a problem. The plot should have the following elements:

protagonist has a problem

Protagonist tries to solve problem

protagonist fails

problem gets worse

protagonist reaches into self and finds solution

problem solved

validation (make it clear)

Remember, CONFLICT IS ESSENTIAL TO PLOT

The Nine Plots:

a.Character vs. Character (people, individuals)

b.Character vs. Self

- am I crazy? (internal conflict)

- a person has to be able to live with self

c.Character vs. the Gods

- how has man lived? (culturally, historically)

- violation of taboos, etc.

d.Character vs. Machine (impact of technology and mans' effort, etc.).  Classic example: 2001 Space Odyssey.  The question is:  Who comes out on top?

e.Man vs. Fate (Destiny)

- Overcoming a prophecy (can you beat your fate or circumstances you find yourself in)

- coping with a particular (hostile?) environment

f.Character vs. The Unknown

- (Star Trek, go out into the unknown where someone, thing wants to kill you)

- sometimes referred to as a ‘Quest story’

- Protagonist has limited life

- running out of time (DOA - Dennis Quade)

- Who wants to kill me?  and why?

g.Character vs. Society or Culture

- conflict with societal values and societal prejudices

- the willingness of an individual to go against the conventions of society

h.Character vs. Circumstances (Situation)

- something unexpected happens to an individual

- thrown into an unusual set of circumstances

Mixing and Matching Plots

Careful - each genre has its own conventions, and follows a certain category or theme.  Know the conventions of your genre - if you want to SELL what you write.

a.Suspense - Thriller

- sometimes called the "Race against the Clock," e.g., Cinderella, On The Beach, etc.  Andromeda Strain:  Gotta have an antidote within three days (one of the oldest of plots).

b.Solo Objective Plot

- Climax and conclusion can be the same, e.g., the Eagle has Landed.

c.The Daring Escape (Towering Inferno, Poseidon Adventure)

- Build up individual characters and then kill them off

- The element of suspense comes from not knowing who will survive and who will not (keep 'em guessing).

d.The Baffling Incident

- a bizarre event or set of circumstances

- suspense comes from learning the cause.

e.The Earlier Incident Follow-up

- Throughout the novel, the earlier incident is slowly revealed (Sparrow)

- Incident can be motivation for action with the novel

- sometimes called a "Whodunit?"

Examples of well-plotted Novels:

Our Game - John LeCarre  (other novels, too)

Killer in the Rain - Raymond Chandler

Telling of Lies - Timothy Findley

Mortal Stakes - Robert Parker