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7 Basic Plots Plot Study
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The Writer’s Creed On my honor, I will do my best to create havoc on every page and to leave neither peace nor happiness in my wake; To cause problems at every opportunity; To abuse characters I love, always aspire to the worst, and sleep unburdened at night.
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What This Means Keep characters in the dark Betray characters Be a troublemaker Begrudge happiness Take glee out of humiliation Challenge characters’ beliefs
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Create Trouble on Every Page —Clint Johnson
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Plot Structures
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The One
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Mountain Plot Map
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Mountain Plot Map: FMAB Example Want to get bodies back Find out about big trans. circle Promised Day Get bodies back Life goes on
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W-Plot Map W Trigger Event Setting Up Problem 1 st Turning Point2 nd Turning Point Recovering from Problem 2 nd Triggering Event Resolving Resolution Deepening Problem
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W-Plot Map: FMAB Example W Loss of bodies Search for Philosopher’s Stone Find out stone uses human souls Anti-transmutation circle Search for alternate means; Eastern Alchemy Nationwide transmutation circle Promised Day Get bodies back Don’t know what to do; group is split up
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Conflicts
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Central Conflicts Human vs. Human Human vs. Nature Human vs. God Human vs. Society Human vs. Himself Human vs. Magic Force
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Subplots Add interest Develop minor characters Make smaller points Add to message
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Theme vs. Message Theme General principle of story Can apply to anything Message Example of theme in action Specific to story
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Theme vs. Message Example: FMAB Theme: One is all, all is one (i.e., everything has a place and is connected) Message: One cannot rise above his/her place
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7 Plot Types
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Basics Anticipation Dream Frustration Nightmare Redemption
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The Quest Protagonist & Co. acquire important object or get to a location, facing many obstacles along the way. The CallThe JourneyArrival/FrustrationFinal OrdealsThe Goal
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The Quest Examples: Lord of the Rings One Piece Legend of Zelda Fullmetal Alchemist (beginning)
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Overcoming the Monster Protagonist sets out to challenge the antagonistic force that threatens him/her and/or his/her homeland. The CallInitial SuccessConfrontationFinal Ordeal Miraculous Escape/Monster Death
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Overcoming the Monster Examples: Perseus Fullmetal Alchemist Fate/Stay Night Avatar: the Last Airbender
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Voyage and Return Protagonist goes to a strange land, faces obstacles, and returns with nothing but experience. Anticipation Stage Initial Fascination Frustration Nightmare Stage Escape/Return
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Voyage and Return Examples: Alice in Wonderland Odyssey Spirited Away The Hobbit
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Rags to Riches Protagonist gains power, wealth, etc., loses it all, and gains it back upon growing as a person. WretchednessOut in WorldCrisisIndependenceCompletion
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Rags to Riches Examples: Cinderella Axis Powers: Hetalia (Liechtenstein) Magi: Kingdom of Magic (Alibaba)
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Comedy Light hearted story with a cheerful ending. BeginningMeetings Shadow of Confusion It Gets Worse Confusion is Lifted
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Comedy Examples: Baka and Test Twelfth Night Midsummer Night’s Dream Ouran Highschool Host Club
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Tragedy Protagonist is a villain who falls from grace and whose death is a celebrated event. AnticipationDreamFrustrationNightmare Destruction/Death Wish
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Tragedy Examples: Death Note Macbeth Hamlet Julius Caesar
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Rebirth During the story, events and obstacles force the main character to change his/her ways, often for the better. InfluenceThreat RecedesThreat Returns“Triumph”Redemption/Rebirth
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Rebirth Examples: Despicable Me A Christmas Carol Megamind The Grinch Who Stole Christmas
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Now YOU Try It! …Using the following tips. Believe in yourself.
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Basic Classic Structure ExpositionThreshold Rising Action DepthsClimaxResolution
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Creating One: Exposition Set stage Meet main character(s) Background info Inciting incident/problem arises
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Creating One: Rising Action Main character(s) are off on journey Begin to solve/deal with problem Possibly subplot time Maybe splash around a bit
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Creating One: Challenge 1 Find out that problem is not actually the issue Maybe fight something/encounter immediate issue Usually lose battle/barely come out
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Creating One: More Rising Action Recover from Challenge 1 Go on to continue to fix problem/real issue Pick up new companion More subplot time Prepare for climax
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Creating One: Challenge 2 Characters may or may not be anticipating Can arise from subplot/plot twist Optional
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Creating One: Climax Final fight/showdown Characters usually must give it their all Usually beat villain/main conflict
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Creating One: The Eagles Usually called Resolution May also have “Elixir” before/after All loose ends are tied up Everyone is happy (unless it’s a dark story)
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Classify In the space provided, classify favorite anime plot as one of the seven plot types covered. In the other spaces, identify the plot’s theme and message Sketch a basic plot map in the space provided
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Links More plot type info: http://www.how-to-write-a-book-now.com/seven-basic-plots.html Subplot info: http://allwritefictionadvice.blogspot.com/2011/01/subplots.html More detailed subplot info: http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/7-ways-to-add-great-subplots-to-your-novel Complete plot/story tips: http://www.aaronshep.com/youngauthor/elements.html Planning a plot in 8 steps: http://www.how-to-write-a-book-now.com/plot-outline.html Plot twist help: http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/there-are-no-rules/4-ways-to-write-a-killer-plot-twist Theme vs. Message: http://www.bobmoran.com/1035/the-difference-between-theme-and-message Writer’s Creed http://www.clintjohnsonwrites.com/the-writers-creed.html
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