Narrative structure is always something we hear people referring to constantly, but what exactly is plot? Plot is the organization of events that give the story logic. We refer to the sequence of events in a story as the story structure.
While many will argue that character journey is the most important aspect of the narrative, the plot structure is essential to reveal that journey. Its a culmination of events, which gradually rise in pressure, until ultimately revealing the story climax.
The plot structure provides us with the events that challenges the characters, pushing them away from their comfort zones-- to face their fears, and make tough decisions-- and ultimately, forcing them to change. After (or during) the first draft of a novel, it is helpful to have a good examine the plot. The bare bones of the story. I like to consider it as the way you would explain your story to someone else.
Plot analysis could be done by writing down a sentence summarising each scene, one after the next. (Also very handy to have when it comes time to write your synopsis!). When you have your plot in front of you, without the character emotion, without the tension, the humor, the satire, or whatever it may be, you can see clearly if your story works or if it needs more work.
Now you should have 3 or 4 written pages, it is easy to see holes in your storyline. You may see that character 1 should have existed in scene 7 if he were to know what was taking place in scene 15. You might discover that the main character's sister had to be with her husband in scene 20 so she had someone to back her up in scene 28. You might even see that it may not be the most effective option to draw a gun in scene 44, but save it for later in the story - maybe scene 100. Really, it is just a way to zoom out a little, and see the story as a bigger picture.
Once you've analysed your plot, you can cut and paste, or shuffle scenes around to identify what works best-- an enormously helpful timesaver! Then when it is time for the re-write, you can emphasize your writing style knowing that you've already nailed the story structure.
While many will argue that character journey is the most important aspect of the narrative, the plot structure is essential to reveal that journey. Its a culmination of events, which gradually rise in pressure, until ultimately revealing the story climax.
The plot structure provides us with the events that challenges the characters, pushing them away from their comfort zones-- to face their fears, and make tough decisions-- and ultimately, forcing them to change. After (or during) the first draft of a novel, it is helpful to have a good examine the plot. The bare bones of the story. I like to consider it as the way you would explain your story to someone else.
Plot analysis could be done by writing down a sentence summarising each scene, one after the next. (Also very handy to have when it comes time to write your synopsis!). When you have your plot in front of you, without the character emotion, without the tension, the humor, the satire, or whatever it may be, you can see clearly if your story works or if it needs more work.
Now you should have 3 or 4 written pages, it is easy to see holes in your storyline. You may see that character 1 should have existed in scene 7 if he were to know what was taking place in scene 15. You might discover that the main character's sister had to be with her husband in scene 20 so she had someone to back her up in scene 28. You might even see that it may not be the most effective option to draw a gun in scene 44, but save it for later in the story - maybe scene 100. Really, it is just a way to zoom out a little, and see the story as a bigger picture.
Once you've analysed your plot, you can cut and paste, or shuffle scenes around to identify what works best-- an enormously helpful timesaver! Then when it is time for the re-write, you can emphasize your writing style knowing that you've already nailed the story structure.
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