Planning I can understand the importance of planning and plan my story using one of the methods used today.

Why Plan? Planning helps: Make sure you’re on the right track Minimize how much revising you have to do Work out problems before you start writing You set goals Why Plan?

Great for people who don’t like planning and like to see where their story takes them All you do is jot down a few major things that happen in the begging, middle, and end. Beginning – the reader should meet your main character(s), learn the problem or conflict of the book, and get a good feel of the setting. Middle – the reader should see the character succeed and fail as well as seeing the problem progress. End – the reader should see the character almost give up, but then reach his/her goal BME (most basic)

Great for people who need a little more than the bare bones and like to have a better sense of their story without adding all the little details. Fill out a chart that looks like the one at right. Story Plot Chart

Turning Points and Stages Method borrowed from Michael Hauge Great for writers who have thought through their story and know what they want to see happen and how the characters will respond. Vocab: Stages are longer parts of your book in which similar things are happening for the character (ie. they are working on the same type of problem). Turning points are quick moments in your book that make a big impact on your story and your character. Turning Points and Stages

Stage 1 – The set up – this is where we see the character in their life. What are they like? Where do they live? Turning point 1 – Opportunity – your character gets introduced to a change which usually presents a conflict in their life. Stage 2 – New situation – the character either chooses to go with the change (which leads to something different in their life) or decides to fight the change (which also causes some difficulties in their life). TPs and Stages cont.

Turning point 2 – Change of plans – something causes the character to change how they’re reacting to the new situation. Stage 3 – Progress (usually the longest stage in the book) – the character is doing well with their new decision and are seeing a positive change in their life. Turning point 3 – Point of no return – the character must make a decision that they can’t take back. (Usually the midpoint of your story.) Stage 4 – Complications and higher stakes – because of the point of no return, things ratchet up quickly and get harder for the character. TPs and Stages cont.

Turning point 4 – Major setback (also known as the dark moment) – the character believes he/she has lost and will never reach his/her goal. Stage 5 – Final push – something/someone convinces them to try one more time. Turning point 5 – Climax – the character reaches his/her goal and gets what he/she wanted. Stage 6 – Aftermath – what happens after they reach their goal? TPs and Stages cont.

Great for the most in depth people who don’t want to leave anything in the story up to chance and who know what all the major characters are doing at all times. Most advanced method of planning and probably the most time consuming as well. Allows author to see the spread of characters throughout the story easily. Plotting Board

Plotting Board Sitting on couch. Comes over to watch a movie. Runs over to house and changes the channel on the TV Invaded Earth Searches for Matthew, Sue, and Katie Hides in basement with friends Says that they should fight the Flying Pickles Starts planning attack. Makes lunch Finds the house where Matthew, Sue, and Katie are hiding. Screams when flying pickles are outside the window Katie Box = Chapter Sue Matthew Flying Pickles From Another Planet Plotting Board

You Try one method of planning we just learned I have worksheets the Story Plot Chart and Turning Points – Come see me if you would like one.