ゆいまる.

Basic Plots

basic ≠ bad

many of these can & will overlap — that’s okay! it only adds more depth and tension to your story

stories should have: a main plot — the central idea, includes initial trigger and primary obstacles, subplots — branch from the main plot; less important but do affect the events of the story, and parallel plots — occur away from the reader’s view but affect the main plot

✶

⤷ adventure

⤑ protagonist sets on a journey through a new world usually filled with constant danger and action; they will endure an evolvement of their understanding of reality

⤷ ascension

⤑ protagonist undergoes successive changes as a result of events; shows the character rising to be a better person or in a higher position

⤷ descension

⤑ protagonist undergoes successive changes as a result of events; shows the character falling to be a worse person or in a lower position

⤷ discovery

⤑ protagonist discovers something important and hidden about themselves or their surroundings

⤷ escape

⤑ protagonist is held against their will and tries to get out

⤷ forbidden love

⤑ protagonist(s) develop romantic feelings for someone they cannot be with due to external factors; may or may not overcome these obstacles

⤷ love

⤑ protagonist(s) develop romantic feelings for someone, overcoming any obstacles that may stand in their way of being together

⤷ maturation

⤑ protagonist evolves from a state of innocence into a state of wisdom; usually refers to childhood into adulthood

⤷ metamorphosis

⤑ protagonist physically evolves into another form; represents their inner changes

⤷ overcoming the monster

⤑ protagonist sets out to defeat the antagonist; will usually be against the odds to win, but the protagonist overcomes these obstacles to eventually be victorious; the monster can be anything really — actual beast, villain, system, circumstance, etc.

⤷ pursuit

⤑ one character chases the other (protagonist pursuing the antagonist or vise versa)

⤷ quest

⤑ protagonist searches for ~something~ which takes them on a journey of wonderment, temptation, and obstacles in order to accomplish their goal; this something can be anything, but it must be profound enough for them to take the risks

⤷ rags to riches

⤑ a generally insignificant person (often maltreated and dejected) undergoes amelioration to become extraordinary; usually through a hidden talent or secret of some sort

⤷ rebirth

⤑ the protagonist is a generally unlikable character who eventually redeems themselves through the course of the story

⤷ rescue

⤑ protagonist searches for someone or something the antagonist has taken; usually the antagonist places obstacles the protagonist must overcome

⤷ revenge

⤑ protagonist retaliates against antagonist

⤷ riddle

⤑ protagonist searches for the hidden meaning of something ambiguous

⤷ rivalry

⤑ protagonist competes against someone who shares their goal; usually these characters will have similar ability levels

⤷ sacrifice

⤑ protagonist tests their limits in order to achieve their goal, losing cherished items, people, or morals along the way

⤷ temptation

⤑ protagonist is persuaded to do something against their moral code

⤷ tradegy

⤑ the protagonist’s downfall is a cause for celebration; typically they will have a fatal character flaw that is ultimately their undoing

⤷ transformation

⤑ protagonist evolves from one character state to another as a result of events

⤷ underdog

⤑ protagonist has a disadvantage and is faced with overwhelming odds while trying to accomplish their goal

⤷ wretched excess

I get this all the time, and it hurts ;-;

I have these characters, these beautiful people I’ve invented with goals and complex thoughts and they feel so real to me. I have this world, this poignant place I’d rather live in than in my own world (unless it’s a death zone ofc haha). I have vibes that I get from it, the tone, the theme, and I have motivation to write???

But…uh, no plot. 

Thanks. Real helpful. 

So basically, if you’re like me and this is something that happens to you, here are some ideas to get your brain working so you can come up with a plot for your story. Not all of these work together, they’re just different ways to do it. 

Start with character wants.

What does your main character want? Do they want to win a competition? Find a missing/kidnapped parent? Stop a zombie apocalypse by finding a cure? Whatever that goal is, it should correspond with their motivation. 

The goal is what they need/want to do. (ex: Win a competition)

The motivation is why. (ex: To prove themselves to their peers)

THEN. What could stop your character from getting that want? (ex. a fellow competitor)

Start with theme.

The theme is the lesson you want to teach your readers, so what’s the first plot or second or third or fourth plot that comes to mind when you take your theme?

If the theme is about accepting yourself as you are, then…what series of events might teach an audience (and your characters) that?

Write down basically everything you want to happen. Every scene. 

Got some scenes and random things you want to include? Write ‘em down. Something might come up that sparks your interest. 

What could change your character’s current world?

If you're feeling stuck on your WIP or big writing project, try writing about your WIP. Character boards, playlists, and other inspiration activities are great when motivation is low, but it's easy to use them as a way to procrastinate. Your allotted writing time should be spent primarily writing, even if you aren't writing your WIP.

Here are some prompts to try when the motivation to actually draft your novel dries up:

Write a scene for your WIP that will never be added to the manuscript. Maybe it's one or more of your characters living out a normal day. Maybe it's a happy memory your character has that will be alluded to in the draft but never shown. Maybe it explores your secondary characters independent from the plot. These are all great ways to further explore your characters/world/story in a way that won't fatigue you.

Write your own "fan fiction." Instead of just exploring your canon further like you did in the last prompt, throw your canon out the window this time and write your characters or world in a way that contradicts your WIP. Is Character A the hero while Character B is the villain? Write an AU where their roles are swapped. Is Character A in love with Character B? Write a story exploring a relationship with Character C instead. Explore the what-if scenarios of your characters and plot and see where it takes you!

Write at least 500 words describing one of your characters. You can make this purely physical, or you can also use this time to explore his mental/emotional traits, background, etc.

Write at least 500 words describing a setting from your WIP. Whether it's a planet, city, cul-de-sac, house, or even a single room, describe it using all five senses. Tell us details about it that the characters might not even know. Where did that scratch in the wallpaper come from? When was the house built and by whom? What does the cul-de-sac sound like on a nice summer day? What about a late autumn night? Where are all the best places to eat in the city? What does the terrain look like on the planet? What are its "special" places?

Write your entire WIP in under 5,000 words. What would your novel look like as a short story?

Make them behave slightly different around their crush (but not too different because we don't want to completely change their personality). For example, if they're very extrovert make them act shyer around their crush (and the complete opposite). Or if they're not really in touch with their feelings, make them be more open about them with their crush. If they usually are big brain proud people, make them act kinda stupid with their crush. If they're super tidy people, make them be more chaotic around their crush.

Make them slowly fall in love. Love at first sight is bullsh*t (just look how Romeo and Juliet ended). Readers are going to hook on relationships that take their time to be constructed. How long does it take to fall in love (and not just being physically attracted to someone)? If you want to write a healthy relationship give them scenes (or time) to know each other. I know it sounds weird, but make them live around their crush. Make them be vulnerable together, be real together, be sad, happy, stressed together. Make them talk about their feelings, about their past, about their worries. HOWEVER, this is NOT an excuse to make your characters be the "psychologist" and the "patient". If one of the characters has mental health issues, do not make their love interest to be "in charge" of it. If one of your characters has mental health issues and you want them to get better, make them go to therapy/psychologist/any mental healthcare professional.

Make those two (A and B) interact with other characters. As Passenger once said "Only miss the sun when it starts to snow". This is really simple and helpful because it makes you think "Why does A like B and not C or D?".

This may sound contradictory, but DON'T make them need each other, make them want each other. If they need each other, there's gonna be an attachment red flag. Tbh, I don't know how to explain this, but want > need.

Make them be honest with each other. Please, another red flag is lying, so don't make them lie. A relationship is built on honesty.

Make them have (at least) one thing in common. Could be based on personality, on politics, on taste, on goals... You decide! Maybe make both of your characters be interested in science, or the pursue of happiness, their music taste, an experience they shared...

This is a very personal choice, but try to avoid the enemies to lovers trope (unless you're Jane Austen). I just don't quite like when character A and B hate each other to the core (plus they insult or hit each other) and then it's expected from me to believe that they actually love each other. Maybe this would work with kids that at first hate each other then grow up, become friends and eventually lovers, but not with mature adults.

Think about it. In real life, the person that's bottling up all their emotions is not the one that's brooding in the corner and snaps at you for trying to befriend them. More often than not, it's that friendly person in your circle who makes easy conversation with you, laughs with you, and listens and gives advice whenever you're upset. But you never see them upset, in fact they seem to have endless patience for you and everything around them—and so you call them their friend, you trust them. And only after months of telling them all your secrets do you realize…

“Just open up. For once.”

“Oh my god, just grow up!”

“Don’t tell me to calm down!”

“Stop it, you’re being childish!”

“I told you I’m fine, stop asking.”

“Shut up! Shut up! Just shut up!”

“What the hell is wrong with you?”

“Don’t you owe me an explanation?”

“Why don’t you ever listen to anyone?”

“I’m so tired of listening to you lie, lie lie!”

“Stop, I don’t want to argue. Just let it go.”

“Stop talking down to me. I’ve had enough.”

“Why are you sneaking around here like that?”

“What made you think that any of this was ok?”

“Why… why would you say something like that?”

“Don’t tell me you’re happy. I can see you’re not.”

“You’ve got a lot of explaining to do. Start talking.”

“You’re not perfect! Stop pretending that you are!”

“Why does everything have to be a fight with you?”

“Have you ever told the truth about anything, ever?”

“Talk to me. That’s all I want. Just talk to me, please!”

“Just keep your mouth shut for one second. Just one.”

“Why are you acting like this? What’s gotten into you?”

“You expect me to believe you? After all you’ve done?”

“Can’t you just give it to me straight, for once in your life?”

“Tell me what’s been going on. I deserve that much from you.”

“Why are you always trying to stick your nose in my business?”

“You can’t keep secrets from everyone and expect them to trust you.”

these are a mixture of quotes from people and various forms of media. feel free to change the pronouns or anything else. requested by anon.

“most of all, i hate you because i think of you. often. it’s disgusting, and i can’t stop.”

“i was raised in hatred, [name]. i could never be your lover, only your killer.”

“i still love you so much that i hate you for it.”

“let me get on my knees and beg you in my own way for a chance with you.”

“i want you. i wanted you then. and that hasn’t changed.”

“nothing incites and feeds a passion better than a mutual resistance to attraction.”

“don’t worry, i’m still not going to kiss you.”

“you destroy me and then you kiss me. you give me a reason to hate you and then you give me a reason to love you. is this a lie or the truth? is this a ploy or your heart reaching for me?”

“someone like me cares about others, but i guess you wouldn’t know anything about that.”

“are you happy now, you terrible excuse for a rival?”

“you like it. you like that nickname.”

“i’d set fire to the world around me but never let a flame touch you.”

“just because you couldn’t save everyone doesn’t mean you didn’t save anyone.”

“i’ve loved you from the first hour of our meeting. i loved you and despaired. before i die, i want you to know that.”

“i wish there were some middle ground.”

“i’ll take anything over days of silence.”

“we’re trapped together in a small, dark space. for the moment, we’re getting on as well as could possibly be expected. i don’t think this is the time to remind me of my many valid reasons to resent your presence and despise everything you stand for.”

“try an ounce of patience, [name].  not even asking for an average amount. an ounce.”

“you frustrate me incredibly.”

“we can be enemies or lovers. we can suffer, or we can rule.”

“enemies make the best lovers.”

“i’ve seen the way you look at me.”

“i need you, asshole.”

“i am not the type of person someone falls in love with.”

“the problem is, if i kissed you, i don’t think i’d be able to stop.”

“you are the love that came without warning; you had my heart before i could say no.”

“i suck at apologies, so unfuck you, or whatever.”

“i shouldn’t be jealous; you aren’t even mine.”

“you make me feel… you make me feel, and i don’t like it. i want it to stop. now.“

“i believe in annoyed at first sight.”

“i broke my rules for you.”

“that’s the problem! you don’t think you deserve something so you ruin it!“

“why am i so fascinated by you?”

“you can’t just touch my soul and leave.”