Thanks for returning to delve deeper into plot with me. Visit here for the first part of Up A Tree With Plot: http://www.childrensbookacademy.com/blogettes/up-a-tree-with-plot-part-1-by-marsha-diane-arnold Plot structure has evolved over hundreds of years of storytelling and writing. Most stories have a three-act structure: Act I, Act II and Act III. I’ll briefly explain what traditionally happens in each act, along with an example or two. In Act I, the writer introduces the main character and setting. Then comes the inciting incident, which leads us into Act II, the middle. That incident takes the character in a new direction and leads to rising action and eventually, the climax, the moment of greatest tension, the most exciting part of the story. In my upcoming picture book, Lost. Found., the inciting incident is Bear losing his soft red scarf. Another wonderful example of rising tension is shown in Janet Stevens, My Big Dog. The arrival of a silly puppy upsets the balance in a cat’s home. As the intrusion into Cat’s life grows bigger, the cat is forced to leave. Tension rises as the cat is taken from one new home after another, but finds himself in more and more uncomfortable situations. Here comes the climax! The balloon has stretched to the popping point until “POP”. Cat can’t take it any longer. That’s when Violet, the dog, comes to the rescue and takes Cat home. Lost. Found.’s climax is when all the animals, except Bear, see the scarf at once. Mayhem immediately follows as they fight over the scarf, tearing it to shreds. After the climax, the story moves into falling action, which includes the events that happen as a result of the climax. The falling action in Lost. Found. is when Bear carries the threads of Red Scarf to his home and all the animals follow. The falling action leads to Act III and the resolution, where the main problem is solved and we see how the character/characters feels. You'll have to wait until Lost. Found's pub. date in early November to see its complete resolution (sorry for the tease :) ), but Swim! Swim! by James Proimos also ends with a lovely solution/resolution. “I’m lonely,” Lerch, the goldfish, announces. Off he goes to find a friend, talking to pebbles, a plastic diver, and bubbles. The tension escalates as it becomes clear that none of these work as a friend. The climax arrives when the fish meets a cat, who thinks the fish’s name is Lunch, not Lerch. Oh, oh! More trouble? The ending is a happy one when the cat introduces Lunch…I mean Lerch, to Dinner…I mean Dinah. A friend is found at last. Three acts is the traditional way a story is told, but there are many ways to tell a story. It’s probably best for you to stick with the frame successful storytellers have used for centuries before starting out on your own, though. And because it’s September and many students are beginning the school year, I have two activities for you too. Lucky you! THINKING ABOUT COMPLICATIONS and OBSTACLES, in other words, PLOT! 1) Create a character. Then think of a complication for your character. Brainstorm more complications, things that will create rising action. With each complication, the action should grow stronger and more intense. Write the complications on 3 x 5 index cards. There won’t be many for a picture book, but writing them down on separate pieces of paper that can be manipulated will help you envision your story. Organize these complications into a plot or structure, moving the index cards around as best suits your story. 2) Perhaps you’re a person who hasn’t had many obstacles in life or who doesn’t like to think about trouble. If so, you might have difficulty coming up with obstacles. Get a daily newspaper and look through it. From it, make a list of the obstacles people face in their lives. You’ll have obstacles aplenty, and hopefully, lots of fun!
7 Comments
7/15/2017 11:29:39 am
Well, I am thinking about your plot and you sketch the good plot. I am not the drama writer and I have no sense about this field but at least I have some knowledge about these things. Your working is so good and I like it so much.
Reply
1/24/2022 11:04:42 pm
So, I'm thinking about your storyline, and you've drawn a nice one. I am not a theatre writer and have no experience in this sector, but I do have some understanding of the subject. Your work is excellent, and I admire it greatly.
Reply
9/6/2023 05:02:35 am
Discover the art of personalization with our exclusive Custom Chenille Patches. Meticulously crafted to enhance your clothing and accessories, these patches add a unique touch to your style. Make a statement that's authentically yours and stand out from the crowd with our bespoke Custom Chenille Patches, designed for the fashion-forward individual.
Reply
9/6/2023 08:18:09 am
Step into the world of individuality with our Custom PVC Patches. Designed to be a canvas for your creativity, these patches empower you to craft distinct emblems for your belongings or brand. Fabricated from sturdy PVC material, they promise durability and standout style. Make your mark today with Custom PVC Patches – the art of personalization.
Reply
9/7/2023 04:00:54 am
Revitalize your style quotient with our Leather Jackets collection. Each jacket is a masterpiece, meticulously fashioned from top-notch materials, striking the perfect balance between timeless fashion and enduring strength. Whether you're exploring city streets or embracing nature's beauty, our Leather Jackets will redefine your wardrobe, ensuring both sophistication and coziness. Discover the essence of authenticity today.
Reply
9/13/2023 05:13:18 pm
Elevate your digital presence with our experienced Digital Marketing Agency. We specialize in optimizing visibility, attracting targeted audiences, and driving exceptional conversion rates. Our innovative strategies propel your business to thrive in the competitive digital domain, ensuring long-lasting success in the world of online marketing.
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Meet the Friday Blogonauts
First Fridays will feature Bryan Patrick Avery, published writer , man of mystery, and professional magician among other things.
Second Fridays will feature awesome multi-award winning author Marsha Diane Arnold who will be writing about character-driven and/or nature-based books and/or anything she likes :) Third Fridays will feature independent Aladdin/Simon & Shuster editor Emma Sector who has helped bring many books into the world. Fourth Fridays will feature the great Christine Taylor-Butler who has published over 70 award-winning fiction and non-fiction and nonfiction books including the acclaimed new middle grade series - The Lost Tribes. Fifth Fridays will feature the fabulous Carl Angel award-winning multi-published Illustrator and graphic designer. Join our Tribe
and receive 7 Steps to Creative Happiness, access to free webinars, and lots more!
Your email addresses are always safe and respected with us. Follow our Blog!
Archives
January 2019
Categories
All
|