A recipe for finding your story's plot:
Ingredients:
2 cups of Things that must be in the story (this can be characters, specific scenes, settings, subplots etc.)
1 cup of Vague plot ideas I may not use
1 tbsp of Central Themes
1 tsp of Ending (either happy, tragic, or bitter-sweet)
1 tsp of Protagonist's Primary Motivation
2 lbs of Brick Wall
Time, as needed
Instructions:
In a large bowl, mix Things that must be in the story. Set aside.
In a separate bowl, sift together Vague plot ideas I may not use. Discard the excess and set aside.
Add Themes, Ending, and Motivation to a small jar. Screw lid on tight and shake until mixture becomes Conflict.
Pour Conflict and Vague plot ideas into Things that must be in the story. Blend on medium until Plot Points form.
Taste.
If it is still missing something, smash head against 1 lbs of Brick Wall for one to six hours.
Let marinate for one to 365 days. Add more Things and Vague plot ideas as desired.
Smash head against the rest of the Brick Wall for one to six hours.
Scream.
Repeat steps 5 through 9 as needed.
After sufficient marination, the mixture will form an idea. This will tell you what specific action must happen in order to resolve your story's conflict. Write this down and make appropriate sacrifices to thank whichever deity took pity on you.
Now you have your conflict, climax, and resolution. You just have to figure out how to get there. Good luck with the damn middle section dork!!
