Hi everyone!
Today, I’m going to be talking about the different kinds of plots you can use when writing a novel. It really comes down to personal preference and the kind of story you’re writing, however, you must always plot.
Do not become a pantser. I am begging you! I’ve written an entire blog about it right here.
#1 Freytag Pyramid (traditional)
The Freytag Pyramid is the typical pyramid you’ve seen throughout school as a child. I hated it too. You start off with the exposition and some basic information like the setting and characters and then you start off straight with the inciting incident which goes into the rising action which is a series of events leading up to the climax. Then after reaching the climax of your story, you wrap things up with the falling action and finish with the resolution.
I don’t like this method personally. I think it’s outdated and a torture device reserved for the public school system.
Of course, if this is your preference, then by all means go ahead. New writers, be warned that this is definitely not the most detailed way to plot. It’s very basic and sticks to the most vital of plot points.
#2 Freytag Pyramid (Bell remix)
This is a bit better and more elaborate than the first on the list. It’s built in the shape of a triangle divided into 5 sections and each chunk of the separated triangle can hold important information on that section of the plot, and each section is weighted according to the triangle shape and its importance. Meaning the climactic events should hold more weight and information than the introduction.
Again, not the best option if you want a more detailed plot.
#3 Interconnected Complications
This is actually something most film schools use, but it’s pretty much relevant for any form of storytelling, so here we are. It focuses on two main issues: progressions and transitions. Usually, about seven circles are drawn out, all of them interconnecting and they are labeled in order: status quo, inciting incident, problem/solution identified, pursuit of solution, struggle, resolution, new status quo or return to old.
I’ve seen this plot structure designed in every fucking way imaginable, but we’re just going to use the basic one for now. Basically, the exposition, characters, and world are introduced in the first act. The inciting incident is also introduced in act one. The second act consists of the rising action and midpoint. This is where the challenged take center stage and the stakes are raised drastically. The final act includes the climax and resolution where the main character can be victorious or they still have work to achieve their goals and you plan to write a sequel.
Again, not really my favorite, but do whatever the hell you want. It’s your book.
Call me a meticulous fucker, but this is my favorite plotting method. In a bulleted list, I write out the rising action and climax of every chapter and correlate that to the rising action and climax of the entire plot.
This method helps me write a lot faster and helps me keep plot points organized. I also usually color code as well to keep subplots organized.
Here, tension is built at a steady rate and it is often referred to as the staircase as that’s its exact drawn form. The climax and resolution are resolved fairly quickly.
That’s all for today!
I know this was a short post, I’ll make up for it in the next one, I promise!
How do you prefer to plot your novels? Let me know by commenting down below.
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