Ian Dawson's Blog
December 15, 2025
My Top Three Fiction Books of 2025
It’s list season once again, and I’d like to share with you my three favorite fiction books that I read this past year.
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
I loved this book! It was such a unique and fun love story, and there were so many great twists and surprises that I stayed up way too late reading just to read one more chapter.
Author Casey McQuiston delivers a narrative that will keep readers on the edge of their seats and turning the page to see what happens next. While I don’t often reread books, One Last Stop is on the short list of books I’ll definitely read again.
Duma Key by Stephen King
As always, I read several Stephen King books this past year, and Duma Key was the standout for me. I didn’t read what it was about when I bought it, just grabbed it because I hadn’t read it before, and that made reading it even more exciting.
The one thing I know about King’s works is that you’re always in for a good time filled with mystery, suspense, elements of horror, and plenty of memorable characters and moments. Duma Key hits all of these, with King delivering a story that keeps you mesmerized until the final page.
Where the Red Fern Grows and Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls
One made me cry, the other made me laugh, and both are exceptional books by author Wilson Rawls. Where the Red Fern Grows pops up on middle school reading lists a lot, but Rawls’s second book, Summer of the Monkeys, doesn’t get the praise it rightfully deserves.
Where the Red Fern Grows is the one that made me cry at the end; it takes a special type of story to make me cry, and this was the winner in 2025.
Summer of the Monkeys is much more comedic in tone; the premise alone lends itself to comedy.
Both books are excellent reads and highly recommended for young adults and adults alike.
What are some fiction books you read and enjoyed in 2025? Leave a comment and let me know!
One Last Stop by Casey McQuiston
I loved this book! It was such a unique and fun love story, and there were so many great twists and surprises that I stayed up way too late reading just to read one more chapter.
Author Casey McQuiston delivers a narrative that will keep readers on the edge of their seats and turning the page to see what happens next. While I don’t often reread books, One Last Stop is on the short list of books I’ll definitely read again.
Duma Key by Stephen King
As always, I read several Stephen King books this past year, and Duma Key was the standout for me. I didn’t read what it was about when I bought it, just grabbed it because I hadn’t read it before, and that made reading it even more exciting.
The one thing I know about King’s works is that you’re always in for a good time filled with mystery, suspense, elements of horror, and plenty of memorable characters and moments. Duma Key hits all of these, with King delivering a story that keeps you mesmerized until the final page.
Where the Red Fern Grows and Summer of the Monkeys by Wilson Rawls
One made me cry, the other made me laugh, and both are exceptional books by author Wilson Rawls. Where the Red Fern Grows pops up on middle school reading lists a lot, but Rawls’s second book, Summer of the Monkeys, doesn’t get the praise it rightfully deserves.
Where the Red Fern Grows is the one that made me cry at the end; it takes a special type of story to make me cry, and this was the winner in 2025.
Summer of the Monkeys is much more comedic in tone; the premise alone lends itself to comedy.
Both books are excellent reads and highly recommended for young adults and adults alike.
What are some fiction books you read and enjoyed in 2025? Leave a comment and let me know!
December 14, 2025
Reading Question of the Week: What Are Your Reading Goals for 2026?
It’s that time of year when most people make New Year’s resolutions that are inevitably broken, but when it comes to reading, that’s one goal that can always be kept throughout the whole year.
I always like to craft a reading goal for myself that’s unique for that particular year, and 2026 is no different. This coming year, I am challenging myself to read as many of the long books I have on my bookshelf as possible. Whether fiction or nonfiction, these tomes can be daunting, but I want to challenge myself to stay focused and get at least 12 done this next year.
What are some other reading goals or challenges you can set for yourself?
Pick and Stick
Pick a genre, an author, or a topic, and only focus on books related to that particular category. You could read as many Stephen King or James Patterson books as you can in 2026. There are plenty to pick from.
Perhaps you are interested in history. You could choose a historical event and read books about it, its key players, and the countries involved.
Maybe you’d like to read books by LGBTQ authors. There are dozens to choose from, and you could craft a reading list based on these authors, topics, and stories related to the LGBTQ community.
Switch-Off
This is my standard reading plan if I can’t decide what else to do. I read one fiction book, followed by a nonfiction book, and go back and forth throughout the year. Sometimes, the nonfiction books are focused on a single topic or era, such as the Golden Age of Hollywood.
This is ideal if you like a lot of variety in your reading but want to be focused on a particular area or genre.
Page Count
I’m doing this one this coming year: reading books with a significant page count. But you could do the opposite and see how many short books you can read over the course of 2026.
The key with reading longer books is to keep the reading goal reasonable, so you aren’t attempting to read 50 books over 600 pages in 12 months. While this might be accomplished through audiobooks, if you are busy and reading, it might cause more stress than needed.
Keep the goal manageable; if you meet it early, you can always add more books later.
How Many Books?
If you are new to reading challenges, keep it simple: one book per month. If you like the challenge of reading lots of books during the year, double or triple that number.
My 2025 reading goal was 25 books. I hit that in early November, so I added some short books to my list and hit 32 in December.
The key is to enjoy the challenge and not create unneeded stress or anxiety for yourself. This should be fun. If you’re not having fun, scale back the number of books or change to a reading challenge that you want to do.
Final Thoughts
Reading is one of my favorite things to do. Adding a reading challenge into the mix and giving yourself a fun goal to hit by the end of the year can make the experience even more rewarding and worthwhile.
Take some time to think about what type of reading challenge you’d like to do in 2026, and see where your reading journey takes you!
Happy Reading, and I’ll see you next time!
I always like to craft a reading goal for myself that’s unique for that particular year, and 2026 is no different. This coming year, I am challenging myself to read as many of the long books I have on my bookshelf as possible. Whether fiction or nonfiction, these tomes can be daunting, but I want to challenge myself to stay focused and get at least 12 done this next year.
What are some other reading goals or challenges you can set for yourself?
Pick and Stick
Pick a genre, an author, or a topic, and only focus on books related to that particular category. You could read as many Stephen King or James Patterson books as you can in 2026. There are plenty to pick from.
Perhaps you are interested in history. You could choose a historical event and read books about it, its key players, and the countries involved.
Maybe you’d like to read books by LGBTQ authors. There are dozens to choose from, and you could craft a reading list based on these authors, topics, and stories related to the LGBTQ community.
Switch-Off
This is my standard reading plan if I can’t decide what else to do. I read one fiction book, followed by a nonfiction book, and go back and forth throughout the year. Sometimes, the nonfiction books are focused on a single topic or era, such as the Golden Age of Hollywood.
This is ideal if you like a lot of variety in your reading but want to be focused on a particular area or genre.
Page Count
I’m doing this one this coming year: reading books with a significant page count. But you could do the opposite and see how many short books you can read over the course of 2026.
The key with reading longer books is to keep the reading goal reasonable, so you aren’t attempting to read 50 books over 600 pages in 12 months. While this might be accomplished through audiobooks, if you are busy and reading, it might cause more stress than needed.
Keep the goal manageable; if you meet it early, you can always add more books later.
How Many Books?
If you are new to reading challenges, keep it simple: one book per month. If you like the challenge of reading lots of books during the year, double or triple that number.
My 2025 reading goal was 25 books. I hit that in early November, so I added some short books to my list and hit 32 in December.
The key is to enjoy the challenge and not create unneeded stress or anxiety for yourself. This should be fun. If you’re not having fun, scale back the number of books or change to a reading challenge that you want to do.
Final Thoughts
Reading is one of my favorite things to do. Adding a reading challenge into the mix and giving yourself a fun goal to hit by the end of the year can make the experience even more rewarding and worthwhile.
Take some time to think about what type of reading challenge you’d like to do in 2026, and see where your reading journey takes you!
Happy Reading, and I’ll see you next time!
November 29, 2025
Happy Thanksgiving, Everyone!
I wanted to thank everybody who takes the time to read my blog posts and book reviews, and to listen to my audio blogs. I appreciate your support, and I hope my insights and advice about writing and the creative process have helped you find your creative spark this past year.
Happy Thanksgiving, and have a wonderful holiday!
Happy Thanksgiving, and have a wonderful holiday!
November 14, 2025
The Curse of the Productivity Suckers
They can strike without warning. They’re all around you. In your home. At work. In your car. They can drain your time and energy quickly, leaving you panicked and frustrated when you return to reality.
They are Productivity Suckers. A vengeful and insidious curse that seeks to distract you for hours. Hours of scrolling. Hours of liking. Hours of watching. And once they get their hooks into you, it can be a struggle to escape their tentacles of destruction.
Any creative endeavor requires our full attention. Unfortunately, we live in a world where phones, tablets, computers, watches, cars, and in-home assistants like Alexa or Google Home provide endless distractions that can affect our ability as creators to get the work done.
I’ve fallen into this trap more than I care to admit. Still, I want to help myself and anyone else listening to break the cycle and get back to their writing, drawing, designing, or any other creative work they should be doing instead of doomscrolling on their phone watching the world implode.
One method I’ve found that works best for me is unplugging. I turn off my phone and my tablet, remove my watch, and even switch off Wi-Fi on my laptop so I guarantee I have fewer distractions as I sit down to write.
Another is removing technology for some stages of the process completely. I recently bought a roll of butcher paper. I cut it into sections, and use them on my wall to visually outline and work on projects. Using notecards, markers, and Post-its, I can work with my story on a larger scale than a computer screen and see the big picture of what I’m creating on the wall before me. It’s also a great way to escape from in front of the screen and actively add and remove cards as you work on your story.
Piggybacking on the no technology concept, take a few days a week and write with a pen and paper instead of on your computer. This also allows you to be more mobile, enabling you to write anywhere you wish. Maybe there’s a park or hiking spot you enjoy. Taking a journal and pen and writing out in nature is a great way to unplug, unwind, and unstick your creativity.
Technology is a blessing and a curse. And while I understand the need to escape and immerse yourself in a YouTube video on the history of linoleum at 3 AM, it’s also essential to use productivity suckers in moderation and for limited periods.
Your time writing and creating should outweigh any time you spend online, and in the end, you’ll have a piece of creative work that you've crafted and made a reality. And that’s better than any AI Slop the internet can produce.
Happy Creating, and I’ll see you next time!
They are Productivity Suckers. A vengeful and insidious curse that seeks to distract you for hours. Hours of scrolling. Hours of liking. Hours of watching. And once they get their hooks into you, it can be a struggle to escape their tentacles of destruction.
Any creative endeavor requires our full attention. Unfortunately, we live in a world where phones, tablets, computers, watches, cars, and in-home assistants like Alexa or Google Home provide endless distractions that can affect our ability as creators to get the work done.
I’ve fallen into this trap more than I care to admit. Still, I want to help myself and anyone else listening to break the cycle and get back to their writing, drawing, designing, or any other creative work they should be doing instead of doomscrolling on their phone watching the world implode.
One method I’ve found that works best for me is unplugging. I turn off my phone and my tablet, remove my watch, and even switch off Wi-Fi on my laptop so I guarantee I have fewer distractions as I sit down to write.
Another is removing technology for some stages of the process completely. I recently bought a roll of butcher paper. I cut it into sections, and use them on my wall to visually outline and work on projects. Using notecards, markers, and Post-its, I can work with my story on a larger scale than a computer screen and see the big picture of what I’m creating on the wall before me. It’s also a great way to escape from in front of the screen and actively add and remove cards as you work on your story.
Piggybacking on the no technology concept, take a few days a week and write with a pen and paper instead of on your computer. This also allows you to be more mobile, enabling you to write anywhere you wish. Maybe there’s a park or hiking spot you enjoy. Taking a journal and pen and writing out in nature is a great way to unplug, unwind, and unstick your creativity.
Technology is a blessing and a curse. And while I understand the need to escape and immerse yourself in a YouTube video on the history of linoleum at 3 AM, it’s also essential to use productivity suckers in moderation and for limited periods.
Your time writing and creating should outweigh any time you spend online, and in the end, you’ll have a piece of creative work that you've crafted and made a reality. And that’s better than any AI Slop the internet can produce.
Happy Creating, and I’ll see you next time!
Help! My Story Isn’t Working! – Is It the Conflict?
While it’s something most people prefer to avoid, Conflict is an essential ingredient in crafting a compelling story. Without it, a story can feel lifeless and aimless; the Main Character living a life free of problems or worries.
But that’s not why fictional stories exist!
Today, we’ll explore some problems and potential solutions you can apply to ensure your story has enough conflict to keep things moving.
Problem: There’s no place for conflict in my story.
Possible Solution #1: Let’s talk about scalable Conflict.
Often, when people think about conflict, they associate it with action movies, superhero movies, and horror movies. There’s an actual life-and-death threat to the Main Character that has to be stopped for things to go back to normal. While that’s one type of high-level conflict, you should also consider the smaller conflicts a character can encounter every day.
Let’s use a classic TV series as an example: The Andy Griffith Show. There’s an episode where Aunt Bee makes pickles that taste like kerosene, and no one has the heart to tell her that they are awful. Despite Andy, Barney, and Opie's attempts to care for the pickles and prevent Aunt Bee from making more, their efforts are futile.
Here, we have a minor conflict that isn’t life-or-death, but the boys are determined to do whatever they can not to hurt Aunt Bee’s feelings. Again, it’s scalable to the story being told.
Whatever your story, even if you have a character who’s beloved by everyone, there can still be conflict and opposition that they encounter and face that must be overcome to move the story forward. No problems or conflicts lead to a pretty dull and lifeless story.
Possible Solution #2: Conflict doesn’t equal violence.
While that may be how many perceive the word, there are conflicts in the world that don’t result in physical violence. As you think about the conflicts your Main Character will encounter on their way to achieving their goal, think about obstacles you can throw in their way – either human or otherwise – that can cause problems for the Main Character.
Think about arguments or conflicts you’ve had in your own life with family and friends. I would guess most of those didn’t end in a knock-down-drag-out battle to finish. These small conflicts resolve through dialogue or action that doesn’t involve violence, and that’s how you can incorporate conflict into your story without it becoming an action movie.
Possible Solution #3: Conflict = Drama
Audiences love conflict. They love heroes and villains. They want to see a winner and a loser by the end of the story. Conflict – especially when it remains unresolved and the tension builds – keeps readers engaged and turning the page. You can set things up and delay paying them off to keep readers wanting more.
If Romeo sees Juliet, asks her out, she says yes, and they go on a date with no issues, Romeo & Juliet would have been lost to history. The conflict between the families and the denial of Romeo and Juliet’s love for each other heightens the dramatic story and ultimately leads to the tragic conclusion.
Your. Story. Needs. Conflict.
Problem: I don’t think my story needs an Antagonist.
Possible Solution #1: Heck, yeah, you do! And they are as crucial as your Main Character.
A quintessential character in any story is the Antagonist. Also known as the villain, the bad guy, or the opposition, this character exists to prevent your Main Character from achieving their goal.
While many think of Darth Vader, Lex Luthor, or Pennywise the Clown as Antagonists, yours doesn’t have to be as big, bad, and scary as they are. In the film October Sky, the Antagonist is Homer’s father. Homer wants to build rockets, but his dad wants him to work in the coal mines like he does. Homer loves and respects his father, but he wants more out of his life than coal mining. Dad’s opposition to his son’s goal leads to the central conflict in the story.
Who in your story could be a major problem for your Main Character as they set out to achieve their goal? That might be the individual you need to consider naming your story’s Antagonist.
Possible Solution #2: The Antagonist should motivate your Main Character into action.
The Antagonist is preventing your Main Character from getting what they want, and that’s a big deal. In fact, they should be such a major obstacle in the life of your Main Character that it takes all their time, effort, energy, and motivation to stop them so they can reach their goal.
The Antagonist should be an ever-present oppositional force for the Main Character, even if they aren’t together the whole story. That’s why Bond villains have henchmen and beautiful women on hand to cause problems for James Bond as he attempts to complete his mission. The Antagonist drives the conflict and can send people in his place to cause problems for the Main Character.
The Antagonist’s antics should motivate your Main Character to actively pursue their goal and amp up their desire to defeat the Antagonist by the end of the story.
Possible Solution #3: Your Antagonist should be stronger than the Main Character.
The Antagonist should be a formidable opponent to your Main Character, challenging them to dig deep both internally and externally to overcome the most significant obstacle in the story and achieve their goal. Even if the audience knows in the back of their minds that good will triumph over bad, you always want to leave that sliver of doubt out there as the Main Character goes up against the Antagonist toward the end of the story.
Making them evenly matched shouldn’t be an option. You always want to find ways for the Antagonist to have the upper hand and be a true threat to the stability and normalcy that your Main Character strives to return to. Remember, the Antagonist’s existence in the life of the Main Character is throwing their life off-balance. The only way for them to get back to equilibrium is by defeating this frustrating foe.
As you develop this character, brainstorm ways they can be better than the Main Character and a true threat to their life and well-being. Then, brainstorm possible ways your Main Character and the Antagonist can be pitted against each other during the Climax of the story, and figure out ways that the Main Character can push themselves to their limit and eventually defeat their opposition despite the power imbalance.
Researching Antagonists
While we know some of the best villains by name, thousands of antagonists do their job on a smaller scale that still impact the lives of the Main Characters they taunt and block from their goals.
I encourage you to watch dramas, Hallmark Channel movies, and other films where the antagonist isn’t an evil entity or sci-fi force, but a normal human being with daggers out for the Main Character. How do they function within an everyday world setting? How do they prevent the Main Character from reaching their goal? What conflicts arise as these two primary characters interact and go toe-to-toe?
How can you apply this knowledge and insight to your Antagonist and your story’s Conflict?
Next Time…
You can’t have Conflicts and Antagonists without Stakes, and we’ll explore ways to make those better in the next post!
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
But that’s not why fictional stories exist!
Today, we’ll explore some problems and potential solutions you can apply to ensure your story has enough conflict to keep things moving.
Problem: There’s no place for conflict in my story.
Possible Solution #1: Let’s talk about scalable Conflict.
Often, when people think about conflict, they associate it with action movies, superhero movies, and horror movies. There’s an actual life-and-death threat to the Main Character that has to be stopped for things to go back to normal. While that’s one type of high-level conflict, you should also consider the smaller conflicts a character can encounter every day.
Let’s use a classic TV series as an example: The Andy Griffith Show. There’s an episode where Aunt Bee makes pickles that taste like kerosene, and no one has the heart to tell her that they are awful. Despite Andy, Barney, and Opie's attempts to care for the pickles and prevent Aunt Bee from making more, their efforts are futile.
Here, we have a minor conflict that isn’t life-or-death, but the boys are determined to do whatever they can not to hurt Aunt Bee’s feelings. Again, it’s scalable to the story being told.
Whatever your story, even if you have a character who’s beloved by everyone, there can still be conflict and opposition that they encounter and face that must be overcome to move the story forward. No problems or conflicts lead to a pretty dull and lifeless story.
Possible Solution #2: Conflict doesn’t equal violence.
While that may be how many perceive the word, there are conflicts in the world that don’t result in physical violence. As you think about the conflicts your Main Character will encounter on their way to achieving their goal, think about obstacles you can throw in their way – either human or otherwise – that can cause problems for the Main Character.
Think about arguments or conflicts you’ve had in your own life with family and friends. I would guess most of those didn’t end in a knock-down-drag-out battle to finish. These small conflicts resolve through dialogue or action that doesn’t involve violence, and that’s how you can incorporate conflict into your story without it becoming an action movie.
Possible Solution #3: Conflict = Drama
Audiences love conflict. They love heroes and villains. They want to see a winner and a loser by the end of the story. Conflict – especially when it remains unresolved and the tension builds – keeps readers engaged and turning the page. You can set things up and delay paying them off to keep readers wanting more.
If Romeo sees Juliet, asks her out, she says yes, and they go on a date with no issues, Romeo & Juliet would have been lost to history. The conflict between the families and the denial of Romeo and Juliet’s love for each other heightens the dramatic story and ultimately leads to the tragic conclusion.
Your. Story. Needs. Conflict.
Problem: I don’t think my story needs an Antagonist.
Possible Solution #1: Heck, yeah, you do! And they are as crucial as your Main Character.
A quintessential character in any story is the Antagonist. Also known as the villain, the bad guy, or the opposition, this character exists to prevent your Main Character from achieving their goal.
While many think of Darth Vader, Lex Luthor, or Pennywise the Clown as Antagonists, yours doesn’t have to be as big, bad, and scary as they are. In the film October Sky, the Antagonist is Homer’s father. Homer wants to build rockets, but his dad wants him to work in the coal mines like he does. Homer loves and respects his father, but he wants more out of his life than coal mining. Dad’s opposition to his son’s goal leads to the central conflict in the story.
Who in your story could be a major problem for your Main Character as they set out to achieve their goal? That might be the individual you need to consider naming your story’s Antagonist.
Possible Solution #2: The Antagonist should motivate your Main Character into action.
The Antagonist is preventing your Main Character from getting what they want, and that’s a big deal. In fact, they should be such a major obstacle in the life of your Main Character that it takes all their time, effort, energy, and motivation to stop them so they can reach their goal.
The Antagonist should be an ever-present oppositional force for the Main Character, even if they aren’t together the whole story. That’s why Bond villains have henchmen and beautiful women on hand to cause problems for James Bond as he attempts to complete his mission. The Antagonist drives the conflict and can send people in his place to cause problems for the Main Character.
The Antagonist’s antics should motivate your Main Character to actively pursue their goal and amp up their desire to defeat the Antagonist by the end of the story.
Possible Solution #3: Your Antagonist should be stronger than the Main Character.
The Antagonist should be a formidable opponent to your Main Character, challenging them to dig deep both internally and externally to overcome the most significant obstacle in the story and achieve their goal. Even if the audience knows in the back of their minds that good will triumph over bad, you always want to leave that sliver of doubt out there as the Main Character goes up against the Antagonist toward the end of the story.
Making them evenly matched shouldn’t be an option. You always want to find ways for the Antagonist to have the upper hand and be a true threat to the stability and normalcy that your Main Character strives to return to. Remember, the Antagonist’s existence in the life of the Main Character is throwing their life off-balance. The only way for them to get back to equilibrium is by defeating this frustrating foe.
As you develop this character, brainstorm ways they can be better than the Main Character and a true threat to their life and well-being. Then, brainstorm possible ways your Main Character and the Antagonist can be pitted against each other during the Climax of the story, and figure out ways that the Main Character can push themselves to their limit and eventually defeat their opposition despite the power imbalance.
Researching Antagonists
While we know some of the best villains by name, thousands of antagonists do their job on a smaller scale that still impact the lives of the Main Characters they taunt and block from their goals.
I encourage you to watch dramas, Hallmark Channel movies, and other films where the antagonist isn’t an evil entity or sci-fi force, but a normal human being with daggers out for the Main Character. How do they function within an everyday world setting? How do they prevent the Main Character from reaching their goal? What conflicts arise as these two primary characters interact and go toe-to-toe?
How can you apply this knowledge and insight to your Antagonist and your story’s Conflict?
Next Time…
You can’t have Conflicts and Antagonists without Stakes, and we’ll explore ways to make those better in the next post!
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
October 23, 2025
The Outline: Your Roadmap to Story Success
It’s easy to read a novel, see a movie, or watch a TV show, and get overwhelmed by how much work goes into crafting an idea into a completed project.
While the finished manuscript, screenplay, or teleplay is the primary goal of the writer, it isn’t easy to get to a completed, coherent version without one piece of the creative puzzle: The Story Outline.
Story outlines come in a variety of styles and methodologies, but no matter what type of outline you choose, the goal of each of them is to assist you in getting your story constructed from start to finish.
The outline is where a lot of the heavy lifting is done, where it’s easier to brainstorm and change ideas and plot points before they’re embedded in thousands of words of manuscript.
Whether you prefer to write a simple or detailed outline, it’s an essential tool that will aid you once you sit down to write your novel or screenplay. It’s hard to get writer’s block or get stuck on a story point if it’s all laid out before you in chronological order, allowing you to write a draft with ease instead of dread.
I get it. We all want to dive right into the fun of writing the story. The excitement of delving into description, dialogue, character arcs, and plot twists is what all writers live to do.
However, it’s hard to get to any of that if you’re stuck after a few thousand words without a clear path forward for your story and its characters to take.
I encourage everyone who reads this to research the various outlining methods used for their particular project, then experiment and find the outlining strategy that works best for you. While it may take time to get used to this pre-writing process, in the end, you and your story will benefit many times over.
So, the next time you have a great idea that you want to develop and craft into a compelling narrative, take the time to outline it from beginning to end. The final product will be even better than you imagined.
Happy Outlining, and I’ll see you next time!
While the finished manuscript, screenplay, or teleplay is the primary goal of the writer, it isn’t easy to get to a completed, coherent version without one piece of the creative puzzle: The Story Outline.
Story outlines come in a variety of styles and methodologies, but no matter what type of outline you choose, the goal of each of them is to assist you in getting your story constructed from start to finish.
The outline is where a lot of the heavy lifting is done, where it’s easier to brainstorm and change ideas and plot points before they’re embedded in thousands of words of manuscript.
Whether you prefer to write a simple or detailed outline, it’s an essential tool that will aid you once you sit down to write your novel or screenplay. It’s hard to get writer’s block or get stuck on a story point if it’s all laid out before you in chronological order, allowing you to write a draft with ease instead of dread.
I get it. We all want to dive right into the fun of writing the story. The excitement of delving into description, dialogue, character arcs, and plot twists is what all writers live to do.
However, it’s hard to get to any of that if you’re stuck after a few thousand words without a clear path forward for your story and its characters to take.
I encourage everyone who reads this to research the various outlining methods used for their particular project, then experiment and find the outlining strategy that works best for you. While it may take time to get used to this pre-writing process, in the end, you and your story will benefit many times over.
So, the next time you have a great idea that you want to develop and craft into a compelling narrative, take the time to outline it from beginning to end. The final product will be even better than you imagined.
Happy Outlining, and I’ll see you next time!
Help! My Story Isn’t Working! – Thank You
Anyone can write a story. To write one well requires time, passion, energy, and an attention to detail and craft. Over the past series of posts, I intended to give you some tools and tips to apply to problematic elements of your stories to help you move past any roadblocks and achieve your goal of finishing a draft.
Much of the writing process involves trial and error, taking the time to work through problems and trouble spots to find the perfect solution for what ails your narrative.
The problems we discussed in these posts – Story, Plot, Character, Conflict, and Stakes – are all elements that require your complete focus, and should be 100% in place during the Outline phase of your writing project.
It doesn’t mean things won’t change and evolve as you flesh out your story, but having this complete road map at your side as you write will prevent frustration and writer’s block in the future.
If your problem wasn’t covered in one of these posts, please leave a comment at the bottom of this post or on social media. I will address your question or topic in an upcoming post.
Thank you for taking the time to read my Help! My Story Isn’t Working! Series.
Until next time, Happy Writing!
Much of the writing process involves trial and error, taking the time to work through problems and trouble spots to find the perfect solution for what ails your narrative.
The problems we discussed in these posts – Story, Plot, Character, Conflict, and Stakes – are all elements that require your complete focus, and should be 100% in place during the Outline phase of your writing project.
It doesn’t mean things won’t change and evolve as you flesh out your story, but having this complete road map at your side as you write will prevent frustration and writer’s block in the future.
If your problem wasn’t covered in one of these posts, please leave a comment at the bottom of this post or on social media. I will address your question or topic in an upcoming post.
Thank you for taking the time to read my Help! My Story Isn’t Working! Series.
Until next time, Happy Writing!
October 21, 2025
Help! My Story Isn’t Working! – Is It the Stakes?
What will it cost your Main Character if they don’t achieve their goal? How do you keep ramping up the tension and suspense as your story unfolds, making the Main Character’s goal more difficult to attain? Both of these questions involve raising the Stakes of your story, causing the Main Character to fight elevated conflicts and problems as they get closer to their goal.
Often, it can be difficult for writers to pummel their sainted Main Character with conflicts, stakes, an Antagonist, and other factors that beat up the lead in their story. Writers choose their Main Character for a reason, so to see a speck of dirt on them can be akin to treason.
I, however, believe that you should put your Main Character through the wringer, making them fight for what they are after and not letting up throughout the story. Even small victories should have the looming reality that there’s more danger ahead, and that they aren’t out of trouble until they’ve defeated the Antagonist, achieved their goal, and can get back to some semblance of a normal life.
With that in mind, let’s explore a few problems and potential solutions related to Stakes.
Problem: Things are too easy for my Main Character
Possible Solution #1: Re-Evaluate your Main Character’s primary goal.
What does your Main Character want to achieve by the end of the story? If the goal is too easy to reach, then the stakes aren’t high enough. The primary goal should be something that they cannot simply order on Amazon or resolve by making a phone call. It needs to be something that, if they fail, their world comes crashing down.
During the brainstorming and outlining phases, take the time to ensure the goal is a formidable and seemingly insurmountable one for the Main Character.
Possible Solution #2: You may need a stronger Antagonist.
The Antagonist can’t be a pushover or someone you’re Main Character can get rid of easily. This character needs to be a constant problem for your Main Character, a person who will do whatever it takes to prevent them from reaching their goal.
Who have you chosen as your Antagonist? Why? Are they a significant enough obstacle that the only option for your Main Character is to defeat them so they can reach their goal? Are they or their minions a constant presence that reminds the Main Character at every turn that one wrong move will result in failure or worse?
Look at the goal you’ve established for your Main Character. How can the Antagonist do everything possible to prevent them from reaching their goal? How can the Antagonist’s actions raise the stakes for the Main Character as they move closer to their goal?
Possible Solution #3: Obstacles, obstacles, obstacles.
These should be developed in the early phases of the writing process. Throw as many on the table as you can think of. Brainstorm as many as you want and sort through them later.
Next, organize them in a way that causes the maximum amount of trouble for your Main Character. Ensure their primary goal appears impossible as they struggle through the story and its numerous obstacles, ensuring that each obstacle they overcome leads to more trouble and higher stakes.
Problem: I’ve painted my Main Character into a corner and don’t know how to get them out.
Possible Solution #1: Plant a setup for their escape earlier in the story or sequence.
Stories are about setups and payoffs, so it’s always acceptable to have a setup established that can help your Main Character out of a jam later on. Think about James Bond’s gadgets. Q gives them to him with a brief description, then we don’t see them again until Bond is in dire need of an escape. Luckily, the gadgets he’s been given for that particular mission help save the day.
Possible Solution #2: If they have a sidekick, mentor, or love interest, consider using them here.
If the Main Character isn’t on their journey alone, you can have one of the secondary characters come to their aid. It doesn’t make the Main Character weak or passive if they need help in a bad situation.
A good example is from Star Wars: A New Hope. When Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewie are trapped in the Garbage Compactor, it’s C-3PO and R2-D2 that come to the rescue. The hero, Luke, is in a literal jam and needs assistance to escape and keep going on his quest.
Possible Solution #3: Just delete the problem.
If all else fails, cut the scene and write something new and less difficult for the Main Character to get through. It should still be a challenge, but one that you can come up with a plausible escape from.
Possible Solution #4: Work backwards.
What do you see as the scene or chapter right after the one where your Main Character is trapped? The beauty of being a writer is that you can move about in time and plan out all aspects of the sequence backwards, forwards, or from the middle.
Brainstorm ways they can get out of their predicament and see which one works best for your story. You may have to alter elements to get to the chosen outcome, but you’ll be able to unstick them and move to the next part of the story.
Problem: I’ve thrown too many obstacles at my Main Character.
Possible Solution #1: Analyze all stakes and obstacles on a scale of 1 (simple) to 10 (could cause death).
Write all your stakes and obstacles on notecards, then rank them from easiest to overcome to impossible. Organize them in a way that presents your Main Character with a genuine challenge to achieve their goal. You can have some easier-to-beat obstacles here and there, but the 8s, 9s, and 10s should outweigh the 1s, 2s, and 3s.
Possible Solution #2: Go through and cut obstacles or stakes that seem cliché or easy to defeat.
You’ve seen enough movies, TV shows, and read enough books to see clichéd stakes and ways to overcome them. Do your best to ferret these types of obstacles and stakes out of your story. Obviously, specific genres lend themselves to particular kinds of stakes, so you may find a few clichéd elements that you can give a unique spin to.
Also, as you work through your list of possible stakes and obstacles, toss out ones that are ridiculously easy to overcome. The more challenging the better.
Brainstorming & Outlines
Some dread these elements of the writing process, but they are MANDATORY pieces of the creative writing puzzle. Both of these aspects give you the freedom to play around and experiment with your story before you commit to drafting your manuscript.
You’ll be in a much better position when you go into your initial draft with a plan than if you go in blindly with no direction.
Next Time…
We’ll wrap up the series with some parting thoughts!
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
Often, it can be difficult for writers to pummel their sainted Main Character with conflicts, stakes, an Antagonist, and other factors that beat up the lead in their story. Writers choose their Main Character for a reason, so to see a speck of dirt on them can be akin to treason.
I, however, believe that you should put your Main Character through the wringer, making them fight for what they are after and not letting up throughout the story. Even small victories should have the looming reality that there’s more danger ahead, and that they aren’t out of trouble until they’ve defeated the Antagonist, achieved their goal, and can get back to some semblance of a normal life.
With that in mind, let’s explore a few problems and potential solutions related to Stakes.
Problem: Things are too easy for my Main Character
Possible Solution #1: Re-Evaluate your Main Character’s primary goal.
What does your Main Character want to achieve by the end of the story? If the goal is too easy to reach, then the stakes aren’t high enough. The primary goal should be something that they cannot simply order on Amazon or resolve by making a phone call. It needs to be something that, if they fail, their world comes crashing down.
During the brainstorming and outlining phases, take the time to ensure the goal is a formidable and seemingly insurmountable one for the Main Character.
Possible Solution #2: You may need a stronger Antagonist.
The Antagonist can’t be a pushover or someone you’re Main Character can get rid of easily. This character needs to be a constant problem for your Main Character, a person who will do whatever it takes to prevent them from reaching their goal.
Who have you chosen as your Antagonist? Why? Are they a significant enough obstacle that the only option for your Main Character is to defeat them so they can reach their goal? Are they or their minions a constant presence that reminds the Main Character at every turn that one wrong move will result in failure or worse?
Look at the goal you’ve established for your Main Character. How can the Antagonist do everything possible to prevent them from reaching their goal? How can the Antagonist’s actions raise the stakes for the Main Character as they move closer to their goal?
Possible Solution #3: Obstacles, obstacles, obstacles.
These should be developed in the early phases of the writing process. Throw as many on the table as you can think of. Brainstorm as many as you want and sort through them later.
Next, organize them in a way that causes the maximum amount of trouble for your Main Character. Ensure their primary goal appears impossible as they struggle through the story and its numerous obstacles, ensuring that each obstacle they overcome leads to more trouble and higher stakes.
Problem: I’ve painted my Main Character into a corner and don’t know how to get them out.
Possible Solution #1: Plant a setup for their escape earlier in the story or sequence.
Stories are about setups and payoffs, so it’s always acceptable to have a setup established that can help your Main Character out of a jam later on. Think about James Bond’s gadgets. Q gives them to him with a brief description, then we don’t see them again until Bond is in dire need of an escape. Luckily, the gadgets he’s been given for that particular mission help save the day.
Possible Solution #2: If they have a sidekick, mentor, or love interest, consider using them here.
If the Main Character isn’t on their journey alone, you can have one of the secondary characters come to their aid. It doesn’t make the Main Character weak or passive if they need help in a bad situation.
A good example is from Star Wars: A New Hope. When Luke, Leia, Han, and Chewie are trapped in the Garbage Compactor, it’s C-3PO and R2-D2 that come to the rescue. The hero, Luke, is in a literal jam and needs assistance to escape and keep going on his quest.
Possible Solution #3: Just delete the problem.
If all else fails, cut the scene and write something new and less difficult for the Main Character to get through. It should still be a challenge, but one that you can come up with a plausible escape from.
Possible Solution #4: Work backwards.
What do you see as the scene or chapter right after the one where your Main Character is trapped? The beauty of being a writer is that you can move about in time and plan out all aspects of the sequence backwards, forwards, or from the middle.
Brainstorm ways they can get out of their predicament and see which one works best for your story. You may have to alter elements to get to the chosen outcome, but you’ll be able to unstick them and move to the next part of the story.
Problem: I’ve thrown too many obstacles at my Main Character.
Possible Solution #1: Analyze all stakes and obstacles on a scale of 1 (simple) to 10 (could cause death).
Write all your stakes and obstacles on notecards, then rank them from easiest to overcome to impossible. Organize them in a way that presents your Main Character with a genuine challenge to achieve their goal. You can have some easier-to-beat obstacles here and there, but the 8s, 9s, and 10s should outweigh the 1s, 2s, and 3s.
Possible Solution #2: Go through and cut obstacles or stakes that seem cliché or easy to defeat.
You’ve seen enough movies, TV shows, and read enough books to see clichéd stakes and ways to overcome them. Do your best to ferret these types of obstacles and stakes out of your story. Obviously, specific genres lend themselves to particular kinds of stakes, so you may find a few clichéd elements that you can give a unique spin to.
Also, as you work through your list of possible stakes and obstacles, toss out ones that are ridiculously easy to overcome. The more challenging the better.
Brainstorming & Outlines
Some dread these elements of the writing process, but they are MANDATORY pieces of the creative writing puzzle. Both of these aspects give you the freedom to play around and experiment with your story before you commit to drafting your manuscript.
You’ll be in a much better position when you go into your initial draft with a plan than if you go in blindly with no direction.
Next Time…
We’ll wrap up the series with some parting thoughts!
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
September 30, 2025
Help! My Story Isn’t Working! – Is It the Characters?
After a brief break, we’re back and talking about one of the key aspects of any story: the Characters. Think about your favorite movie, TV series, or novel, and it’s the characters populating the story that immediately pop into memory. They are the driving force of any narrative and the primary reason we keep watching.
However, it’s possible to run into challenges when creating and crafting characters for a story. Let’s look at some potential problems and their solutions.
But first…
Who Are These People?
Fictional characters come in all shapes and sizes, but they also have their own assigned roles in a story. Here’s a quick run-down of how you should look at each character that lives in your fictional world:
Main Character: They drive the story forward; without them actively pursuing a goal, the story has nowhere to go.
Antagonist: The person opposing the main character and trying to prevent them from reaching their stated goal.
Secondary Characters: These can include friends, love interests, sidekicks, pets, or anyone who is associated with the main character or antagonist, offering them advice, support, or assistance.
Tertiary Characters: Minor characters your main character meets along their journey. They may be in only one chapter or scene, but the information they provide or the actions they take assist the main character positively or negatively and can contribute to the story’s direction.
Utility Characters: A crowd at a concert. Protesters. Campers. Patrons at a biker bar. These are usually nameless characters that help give a location atmosphere and personality. These are extras (aka background artists) that can be described to enhance the location currently inhabited by your other characters.
Now, let’s dive into a few possible problems you may encounter as you work with your characters.
Problem: My Main Character is boring.
Possible Solution #1: Make sure they have a Character Arc.
Your Main Character should evolve over the course of your story. They should have problems, issues, conflicts, and relationships established at the start that they can then work on and resolve as the story unfolds, develops, and wraps up.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of being afraid to have your Main Character have problems or conflicts. You might be fearful that readers will turn against them or not like them as the Main Character. But flaws add depth to a character and make them more relatable to the audience than being the poster child for perfection.
As you develop your Main Character, focus on how they change over the course of the story. What events take place around them or to characters in their circle that help them change as a person? These are pieces of the puzzle that can give your Main Character more depth and make them less boring.
Possible Solution #2: Consider Recasting
Okay. You’ve taken the first step and admitted your Main Character is dull. What character in the story do you enjoy writing about? What is it about them that makes you excited to get to their chapters? That is who should be helming your story, and it may be time to either cut your original Main Character completely or move them to a secondary role.
No matter what type of story you’re writing, your Main Character needs to be compelling, interesting, and engaging to the reader. Often, we relegate that type of character to the role of second banana, thinking they are too zany to work as the story’s protagonist.
However, it is worth considering the idea of having them take on that role. Or, you may consider another alternative…
Possible Solution #3: Merge your Main Character with the fun one.
Blend the aspects of the Main Character with those of the fun character and see what new energy and life is injected into your story. Now you have a Main Character with some zip to them, and you can have some fun and let them not be so rigid and boring as they once were.
Problem: My Main Character is too passive.
Possible Solution #1: It’s all about choices.
If your Main Character is passive, this means things are happening to them; they are not making things happen. And while it’s okay for your Main Character to get into situations beyond their control, it’s how they react to those situations that determines if they are being passive or active.
And you definitely want your Main Character to be ACTIVE and MAKING CHOICES that help move the story forward.
All stories are like Choose Your Own Adventure books. As authors, we are the ones making the choices for the reader. We must choose actions that propel the story forward while also putting the Main Character in control of the action. Even if their choices are wrong and lead to tragedy, they must be at the center of those choices and actions.
As you work through your story, think about your Main Character’s choices. Their choices reveal aspects of their personality to the reader. If they are passive and allow others to make decisions for them, the reader will lose interest.
Possible Solution #2: Do they have a strong goal?
Your Main Character needs a reason to exist. That reason is a GOAL they need to achieve by the end of the story. The goal can be a person, a location, or an object. It’s whatever exists at the end of the journey that motivates the Main Character to keep going.
It also has to be on a scale where if they fail to achieve their goal, there are literal or figurative life-or-death consequences associated with it. This means the goal you pick for your Main Character should motivate them into action, which should eliminate any passive tendencies they may have.
Throw in a ticking clock, where they only have a limited amount of time to reach their goal, and it adds another layer of suspense to help drive the Main Character into being active in their pursuit of the goal.
Possible Solution #3: Who’s the opposition?
There needs to be someone in your story trying to prevent your Main Character from reaching their goal. Your Main Character must be willing to confront this person to achieve that goal, and the only way to do that is by being active.
It’s important that the opposition – also known as the Antagonist – has a direct link to the Main Character in some way, and that their defeat is crucial as part of reaching the goal at the end of the story. This defeat can be literal or figurative, but it’s crucial that it takes place as part of your Main Character’s journey.
The need to defeat the Antagonist and reach the final goal must motivate your Main Character to take action and propel their arc and the storyline forward. These elements should leave no room for your Main Character to be passive during their quest.
Problem: I keep losing track of all my characters.
Possible Solution #1: More characters = More problems
If you’re writing your first novel, I highly recommend that you limit the number of characters that populate your story. This will not only make your writing life easier, but it will also help keep the story on track and focus your attention on the main storyline and its characters.
While novels can have dozens of characters, it should be noted that each character should exist to serve the story. If they’re just there, they need to go. It’s as simple as that.
Plus, once they are introduced and named, they need a description, a link to the Main Character or the overall storyline, and are now another person you have to keep track of as you write.
Don’t stress; streamline instead. Merge characters. Cut characters who add nothing to the story. Eliminate subplots that have no value to what’s happening in the main narrative.
Possible Solution #2: Make a spreadsheet
Of course, if you must have a lot of characters, it’s time to do the technical work and create a spreadsheet. This will provide a visual breakdown of each character, their relationship to the Main Character, their purpose in the story, and a brief description.
Now you don’t have to remember if Bob is Dave’s cousin or Dale’s, and if he was the tall cousin or the short one. You have a reference guide to help you as you write.
Possible Solution #3: Outline, Outline, Outline.
Before you sit down to write a single chapter, I strongly advise you to outline your story so you know all the ins and outs of what’s going to happen, which characters are where, and how everything fits together. This will prevent headaches down the line as you are knee deep in the manuscript. It’s a lot easier to track where a character is in an outline than in a 100,000-word document.
I recommend outlining any story you want to write so you have a complete picture available before you begin writing. You can always alter the outline, but you’ll have access to how everything unfolds and evolves in your story before things become too difficult to fix.
Just the Tip of the Iceberg
There are so many aspects to character that we didn’t cover here, but I hope these tips give you a starting point to get your Main Character back on the right track. There are hundreds of books available that delve even deeper into the world of character development, so if you are interested in exploring this topic further, I highly recommend seeking those out.
Next Time…
We briefly talked about the story’s Antagonist, and with an Antagonist comes Conflict! We’ll talk about that in the next post!
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
However, it’s possible to run into challenges when creating and crafting characters for a story. Let’s look at some potential problems and their solutions.
But first…
Who Are These People?
Fictional characters come in all shapes and sizes, but they also have their own assigned roles in a story. Here’s a quick run-down of how you should look at each character that lives in your fictional world:
Main Character: They drive the story forward; without them actively pursuing a goal, the story has nowhere to go.
Antagonist: The person opposing the main character and trying to prevent them from reaching their stated goal.
Secondary Characters: These can include friends, love interests, sidekicks, pets, or anyone who is associated with the main character or antagonist, offering them advice, support, or assistance.
Tertiary Characters: Minor characters your main character meets along their journey. They may be in only one chapter or scene, but the information they provide or the actions they take assist the main character positively or negatively and can contribute to the story’s direction.
Utility Characters: A crowd at a concert. Protesters. Campers. Patrons at a biker bar. These are usually nameless characters that help give a location atmosphere and personality. These are extras (aka background artists) that can be described to enhance the location currently inhabited by your other characters.
Now, let’s dive into a few possible problems you may encounter as you work with your characters.
Problem: My Main Character is boring.
Possible Solution #1: Make sure they have a Character Arc.
Your Main Character should evolve over the course of your story. They should have problems, issues, conflicts, and relationships established at the start that they can then work on and resolve as the story unfolds, develops, and wraps up.
It’s easy to fall into the trap of being afraid to have your Main Character have problems or conflicts. You might be fearful that readers will turn against them or not like them as the Main Character. But flaws add depth to a character and make them more relatable to the audience than being the poster child for perfection.
As you develop your Main Character, focus on how they change over the course of the story. What events take place around them or to characters in their circle that help them change as a person? These are pieces of the puzzle that can give your Main Character more depth and make them less boring.
Possible Solution #2: Consider Recasting
Okay. You’ve taken the first step and admitted your Main Character is dull. What character in the story do you enjoy writing about? What is it about them that makes you excited to get to their chapters? That is who should be helming your story, and it may be time to either cut your original Main Character completely or move them to a secondary role.
No matter what type of story you’re writing, your Main Character needs to be compelling, interesting, and engaging to the reader. Often, we relegate that type of character to the role of second banana, thinking they are too zany to work as the story’s protagonist.
However, it is worth considering the idea of having them take on that role. Or, you may consider another alternative…
Possible Solution #3: Merge your Main Character with the fun one.
Blend the aspects of the Main Character with those of the fun character and see what new energy and life is injected into your story. Now you have a Main Character with some zip to them, and you can have some fun and let them not be so rigid and boring as they once were.
Problem: My Main Character is too passive.
Possible Solution #1: It’s all about choices.
If your Main Character is passive, this means things are happening to them; they are not making things happen. And while it’s okay for your Main Character to get into situations beyond their control, it’s how they react to those situations that determines if they are being passive or active.
And you definitely want your Main Character to be ACTIVE and MAKING CHOICES that help move the story forward.
All stories are like Choose Your Own Adventure books. As authors, we are the ones making the choices for the reader. We must choose actions that propel the story forward while also putting the Main Character in control of the action. Even if their choices are wrong and lead to tragedy, they must be at the center of those choices and actions.
As you work through your story, think about your Main Character’s choices. Their choices reveal aspects of their personality to the reader. If they are passive and allow others to make decisions for them, the reader will lose interest.
Possible Solution #2: Do they have a strong goal?
Your Main Character needs a reason to exist. That reason is a GOAL they need to achieve by the end of the story. The goal can be a person, a location, or an object. It’s whatever exists at the end of the journey that motivates the Main Character to keep going.
It also has to be on a scale where if they fail to achieve their goal, there are literal or figurative life-or-death consequences associated with it. This means the goal you pick for your Main Character should motivate them into action, which should eliminate any passive tendencies they may have.
Throw in a ticking clock, where they only have a limited amount of time to reach their goal, and it adds another layer of suspense to help drive the Main Character into being active in their pursuit of the goal.
Possible Solution #3: Who’s the opposition?
There needs to be someone in your story trying to prevent your Main Character from reaching their goal. Your Main Character must be willing to confront this person to achieve that goal, and the only way to do that is by being active.
It’s important that the opposition – also known as the Antagonist – has a direct link to the Main Character in some way, and that their defeat is crucial as part of reaching the goal at the end of the story. This defeat can be literal or figurative, but it’s crucial that it takes place as part of your Main Character’s journey.
The need to defeat the Antagonist and reach the final goal must motivate your Main Character to take action and propel their arc and the storyline forward. These elements should leave no room for your Main Character to be passive during their quest.
Problem: I keep losing track of all my characters.
Possible Solution #1: More characters = More problems
If you’re writing your first novel, I highly recommend that you limit the number of characters that populate your story. This will not only make your writing life easier, but it will also help keep the story on track and focus your attention on the main storyline and its characters.
While novels can have dozens of characters, it should be noted that each character should exist to serve the story. If they’re just there, they need to go. It’s as simple as that.
Plus, once they are introduced and named, they need a description, a link to the Main Character or the overall storyline, and are now another person you have to keep track of as you write.
Don’t stress; streamline instead. Merge characters. Cut characters who add nothing to the story. Eliminate subplots that have no value to what’s happening in the main narrative.
Possible Solution #2: Make a spreadsheet
Of course, if you must have a lot of characters, it’s time to do the technical work and create a spreadsheet. This will provide a visual breakdown of each character, their relationship to the Main Character, their purpose in the story, and a brief description.
Now you don’t have to remember if Bob is Dave’s cousin or Dale’s, and if he was the tall cousin or the short one. You have a reference guide to help you as you write.
Possible Solution #3: Outline, Outline, Outline.
Before you sit down to write a single chapter, I strongly advise you to outline your story so you know all the ins and outs of what’s going to happen, which characters are where, and how everything fits together. This will prevent headaches down the line as you are knee deep in the manuscript. It’s a lot easier to track where a character is in an outline than in a 100,000-word document.
I recommend outlining any story you want to write so you have a complete picture available before you begin writing. You can always alter the outline, but you’ll have access to how everything unfolds and evolves in your story before things become too difficult to fix.
Just the Tip of the Iceberg
There are so many aspects to character that we didn’t cover here, but I hope these tips give you a starting point to get your Main Character back on the right track. There are hundreds of books available that delve even deeper into the world of character development, so if you are interested in exploring this topic further, I highly recommend seeking those out.
Next Time…
We briefly talked about the story’s Antagonist, and with an Antagonist comes Conflict! We’ll talk about that in the next post!
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
August 26, 2025
Help! My Story Isn’t Working! – Is It the Plot?
Last time, we explored ways to make a lackluster story stronger and more interesting for both yourself as a writer and for your future readers. Today, we’ll explore ways to strengthen your story’s plot.
But wait, you may be saying. Aren’t story and plot the same thing? While they are directly related, they both serve different functions. Think of the story as the overarching concept of what happens in your narrative, while the plot is all the moments and events that happen to get us from beginning to end.
For example, National Lampoon’s Vacation is about the Griswold family’s trip from Chicago to Walley World in California. That’s the story. The plot includes all the wacky misadventures, disasters, ups, and downs that plague the family during their travels. While it’s essential to start with a strong story, a strong plot is the key to keeping readers turning the page, wanting to know what happens next.
Plotting the Plot
Many writing tools and templates exist that break down the key plot elements that can help you craft your narrative from start to finish before you sit down to write your first draft. I like to think of these as the can’t-miss stops along your story’s journey.
Here’s a breakdown of the fundamental plot elements that should be present in your story:
ACT ONE
Inciting Incident: “a single event that either happens directly to the protagonist or is caused by the protagonist” (McKee 190).
Plot Point/Stunning Surprise 1: “the arrival of some event or dramatic reversal that creates a moment of shock for the Hero and drops the curtain on the first act – while immediately raising is again on the second act” (Edson 118).
ACT TWO
Mid-Point: “The Hero reaches a Point of No Return beyond which turning back is no longer an option…Conflict with the Adversary becomes deeply personal…A ‘ticking clock’ time limit is set in motion…An unmasking takes place, literally or figuratively, and an inner truth gets revealed” (Edson 219-220).
Plot Point/Stunning Surprise 2: “comes out of the blue and changes everything. It signals the end of Act Two and the beginning of Act Three…frequently the primary additional punch of Stunning Surprise #2 is that it completely destroys the Hero’s plan for victory and announces that sweeping improvisation will now be required for the Hero to have any chance of besting the Adversary” (Edson 129).
ACT THREE
Climax/Obligatory Scene: “third-act final showdown between Hero and Adversary that resolves the main plot question once and for all” (Edson 137).
Denouement: “wraps up the plot loose ends and relationships” (Edson 137).
With these concepts in mind, let’s explore some possible problems and potential solutions to help you improve your plot.
Problem: I have a great idea, and I jumped right into writing it, but I have no idea where I’m going with the story, and I’m ready to walk away.
Possible Solution #1: Stop writing the manuscript and start writing your outline.
It’s a story I heard in all my writing classes: A person has an idea. That person jumps headfirst into writing the story based on the concept. They then lose focus, eventually stopping writing and forgetting what they were once so excited about.
Now, if you’re in the same boat, take a step back and plan out where your story is headed. Break things down and really work on what the key plot elements are before you jump back into the manuscript phase. This will be helpful for two reasons: 1) You now have a roadmap for where the story is going; and 2) You don’t have to guess where the story is headed, it’s already mapped out.
Possible Solution #2: Figure out where things fell off, and build from there.
How far did you get before the story fizzled? Did you have a solid inciting incident that got things moving? If you did, figure out what made it such a solid event for your story to launch from, then brainstorm ways to escalate the conflict to hit the next major plot point forward.
Again, step back from the drafting process and stick with the fundamentals: the outline. I know it can be hard to sit down and work these things out, but once you’re embedded in the world of the story, you’re definitely going to want your outline by your side.
Problem: The outline I’ve written isn’t working for me. My plot isn’t exciting or interesting.
Possible Solution #1: Toss and reset.
When in doubt, throw it out. No rule says you can’t chuck a plot point that isn’t working or doesn’t help add momentum to your storyline. That’s the beauty of starting with an outline; you can brainstorm, experiment, and play around with things before there are thousands of words and choices made that would now have to be scrapped.
All novels are Choose Your Own Adventure books for the author, but we get to make the final decision of where the reader goes in the final plotting of the story. If your plot isn’t making you want to write and see what happens next, it’s time to try something new.
Possible Solution #2: What would make it interesting to you?
As I said in the first post about Story, you are the first audience for your work. If you aren’t into it, the audience will have just as hard a time, if not harder, getting into what you’ve written.
If you were reading this book, what plot elements, twists, and turns would keep you reading? What can you do to increase the energy, the stakes, and the problems faced by the main character to keep yourself and readers engaged and focused on each page?
Possible Solution #3: When in doubt, brainstorm it out.
Taking the time to brainstorm and come up with multiple ideas for each major plot element will give you a variety of options to pick from to craft the most compelling plot you can.
Nothing is set in stone until you want it to be, and you have the power and control over the story and plot to make decisions that will prevent what you’re writing from becoming dull and uninteresting.
Problem: My plot is too predictable.
Possible Solution #1: Predictable to whom?
If you’ve lived with a story and plot inside your head for a while, it can feel like what you’re working on is predictable and all your twists are easy for a reader to see coming a mile away. However, this may not be the case. Since you’ve lived in your fictional world for so long, you know what’s going to happen, but other people don’t.
While you may prefer people read your novel and not an outline, take the time to craft a complete outline of your story, then have a trusted person read it and give you honest feedback. If they tell you they figured out who the killer was as soon as the character was introduced, that’s a clear sign that others may find the story too predictable.
However, if they don’t figure it out and are glued to the outline, you may be overthinking the predictability concern, and should keep moving forward with the outline and book.
Possible Solution #2: Why zig, when you can zag?
The opening sequence to the movie, The Other Guys, is a perfect example of this concept. Two cops, played by The Rock and Samuel L. Jackson, are in pursuit of a gang of robbery suspects. The duo chase them onto a roof, where the robbers escape using a zipline. Our two cocky cops decide to “aim for the bushes,” fist bump, and jump off the building, only to fall to their deaths. It comes out of left field, is unpredictable, and is one of those moments that you can’t believe just happened.
https://youtu.be/MvkN3003iU4?si=-ra-r...
As you work on revising your plot outline, ask yourself what the opposite of what you have written down happened instead? How would that impact your story? What direction would things go? Would it take things in a direction that readers would never see coming? Experiment with this idea of trying the opposite of what you would typically think of doing.
Hey, it worked for George Costanza!
https://youtu.be/CizwH_T7pjg?si=7RISv...
It’s All Part of the Process
It’s okay to get frustrated and feel stuck as you work through crafting a solid set of plot points to get your story and its characters from Point A to Point Z. It’s just how the creative process is. In the end, you’ll have a stronger finished product having taken the time to work on and develop a solid plot for your story.
The above problems and suggested solutions are provided as a guide to help you make your creative writing project the best it can be.
Next Time...
We’ve tackled story and plot; now it’s time to see what problems can arise with your characters.
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
Check out my blog post on Plot by clicking HERE!
Sources:
Edson, Eric. The Story Solution. Michael Wiese Productions, 2011.
McKee, Robert. Story. Harper Collins, 1997.
But wait, you may be saying. Aren’t story and plot the same thing? While they are directly related, they both serve different functions. Think of the story as the overarching concept of what happens in your narrative, while the plot is all the moments and events that happen to get us from beginning to end.
For example, National Lampoon’s Vacation is about the Griswold family’s trip from Chicago to Walley World in California. That’s the story. The plot includes all the wacky misadventures, disasters, ups, and downs that plague the family during their travels. While it’s essential to start with a strong story, a strong plot is the key to keeping readers turning the page, wanting to know what happens next.
Plotting the Plot
Many writing tools and templates exist that break down the key plot elements that can help you craft your narrative from start to finish before you sit down to write your first draft. I like to think of these as the can’t-miss stops along your story’s journey.
Here’s a breakdown of the fundamental plot elements that should be present in your story:
ACT ONE
Inciting Incident: “a single event that either happens directly to the protagonist or is caused by the protagonist” (McKee 190).
Plot Point/Stunning Surprise 1: “the arrival of some event or dramatic reversal that creates a moment of shock for the Hero and drops the curtain on the first act – while immediately raising is again on the second act” (Edson 118).
ACT TWO
Mid-Point: “The Hero reaches a Point of No Return beyond which turning back is no longer an option…Conflict with the Adversary becomes deeply personal…A ‘ticking clock’ time limit is set in motion…An unmasking takes place, literally or figuratively, and an inner truth gets revealed” (Edson 219-220).
Plot Point/Stunning Surprise 2: “comes out of the blue and changes everything. It signals the end of Act Two and the beginning of Act Three…frequently the primary additional punch of Stunning Surprise #2 is that it completely destroys the Hero’s plan for victory and announces that sweeping improvisation will now be required for the Hero to have any chance of besting the Adversary” (Edson 129).
ACT THREE
Climax/Obligatory Scene: “third-act final showdown between Hero and Adversary that resolves the main plot question once and for all” (Edson 137).
Denouement: “wraps up the plot loose ends and relationships” (Edson 137).
With these concepts in mind, let’s explore some possible problems and potential solutions to help you improve your plot.
Problem: I have a great idea, and I jumped right into writing it, but I have no idea where I’m going with the story, and I’m ready to walk away.
Possible Solution #1: Stop writing the manuscript and start writing your outline.
It’s a story I heard in all my writing classes: A person has an idea. That person jumps headfirst into writing the story based on the concept. They then lose focus, eventually stopping writing and forgetting what they were once so excited about.
Now, if you’re in the same boat, take a step back and plan out where your story is headed. Break things down and really work on what the key plot elements are before you jump back into the manuscript phase. This will be helpful for two reasons: 1) You now have a roadmap for where the story is going; and 2) You don’t have to guess where the story is headed, it’s already mapped out.
Possible Solution #2: Figure out where things fell off, and build from there.
How far did you get before the story fizzled? Did you have a solid inciting incident that got things moving? If you did, figure out what made it such a solid event for your story to launch from, then brainstorm ways to escalate the conflict to hit the next major plot point forward.
Again, step back from the drafting process and stick with the fundamentals: the outline. I know it can be hard to sit down and work these things out, but once you’re embedded in the world of the story, you’re definitely going to want your outline by your side.
Problem: The outline I’ve written isn’t working for me. My plot isn’t exciting or interesting.
Possible Solution #1: Toss and reset.
When in doubt, throw it out. No rule says you can’t chuck a plot point that isn’t working or doesn’t help add momentum to your storyline. That’s the beauty of starting with an outline; you can brainstorm, experiment, and play around with things before there are thousands of words and choices made that would now have to be scrapped.
All novels are Choose Your Own Adventure books for the author, but we get to make the final decision of where the reader goes in the final plotting of the story. If your plot isn’t making you want to write and see what happens next, it’s time to try something new.
Possible Solution #2: What would make it interesting to you?
As I said in the first post about Story, you are the first audience for your work. If you aren’t into it, the audience will have just as hard a time, if not harder, getting into what you’ve written.
If you were reading this book, what plot elements, twists, and turns would keep you reading? What can you do to increase the energy, the stakes, and the problems faced by the main character to keep yourself and readers engaged and focused on each page?
Possible Solution #3: When in doubt, brainstorm it out.
Taking the time to brainstorm and come up with multiple ideas for each major plot element will give you a variety of options to pick from to craft the most compelling plot you can.
Nothing is set in stone until you want it to be, and you have the power and control over the story and plot to make decisions that will prevent what you’re writing from becoming dull and uninteresting.
Problem: My plot is too predictable.
Possible Solution #1: Predictable to whom?
If you’ve lived with a story and plot inside your head for a while, it can feel like what you’re working on is predictable and all your twists are easy for a reader to see coming a mile away. However, this may not be the case. Since you’ve lived in your fictional world for so long, you know what’s going to happen, but other people don’t.
While you may prefer people read your novel and not an outline, take the time to craft a complete outline of your story, then have a trusted person read it and give you honest feedback. If they tell you they figured out who the killer was as soon as the character was introduced, that’s a clear sign that others may find the story too predictable.
However, if they don’t figure it out and are glued to the outline, you may be overthinking the predictability concern, and should keep moving forward with the outline and book.
Possible Solution #2: Why zig, when you can zag?
The opening sequence to the movie, The Other Guys, is a perfect example of this concept. Two cops, played by The Rock and Samuel L. Jackson, are in pursuit of a gang of robbery suspects. The duo chase them onto a roof, where the robbers escape using a zipline. Our two cocky cops decide to “aim for the bushes,” fist bump, and jump off the building, only to fall to their deaths. It comes out of left field, is unpredictable, and is one of those moments that you can’t believe just happened.
https://youtu.be/MvkN3003iU4?si=-ra-r...
As you work on revising your plot outline, ask yourself what the opposite of what you have written down happened instead? How would that impact your story? What direction would things go? Would it take things in a direction that readers would never see coming? Experiment with this idea of trying the opposite of what you would typically think of doing.
Hey, it worked for George Costanza!
https://youtu.be/CizwH_T7pjg?si=7RISv...
It’s All Part of the Process
It’s okay to get frustrated and feel stuck as you work through crafting a solid set of plot points to get your story and its characters from Point A to Point Z. It’s just how the creative process is. In the end, you’ll have a stronger finished product having taken the time to work on and develop a solid plot for your story.
The above problems and suggested solutions are provided as a guide to help you make your creative writing project the best it can be.
Next Time...
We’ve tackled story and plot; now it’s time to see what problems can arise with your characters.
Happy Writing, and I’ll see you next time!
Check out my blog post on Plot by clicking HERE!
Sources:
Edson, Eric. The Story Solution. Michael Wiese Productions, 2011.
McKee, Robert. Story. Harper Collins, 1997.
