Plotting is Hard and Other Tidbits I'm still Discovering

Happy Friday, all!

October has been my time to start a new book. The very best part of writing in my opinion--second only to "The End". LOL!

I don't know if this happens to you, but every time I start a new story I almost forget what I did to plot for my previous stories and then I get a little nervous.
How do I do this again?
Why isn't this coming together?
Did I do a character sheet before?
I mean, I've written stories, had a few published, and, well, good grief...

YOU'D THINK PLOTTING WOULD GET EASIER!!!!

*sigh* It doesn't. At least not for me. Which is why I am ever so thankful and completely indebted to one of my critique partners for pointing me the way to The Plot Whisperer.

Have you heard of her?

Martha Alderson from Blockbuster Plots for writers has a great series of Youtube Plot Videos breaking down the fine points of plotting and things to consider when plotting. I've gone through a number of them the last few days (up to Step 9 so far) and it's already spun my writing wheels.


Two things that she talked about that really stuck out in my mind are:
1) Character Flaws. Who is your character in the beginning and who is your character at the end?

2) Climax/Ending. What is your character able to do now that they weren't able to do in the beginning of the story?

Concentrating on these things have really worked for me as far as making the story click in my mind and I feel it coming together much clearer.

Maybe these videos will help you, too.
Come prepared with a pencil and paper!

Writers: Is plotting always consistent for you or are you still discovering new writing tidbits? Any good plotting techniques or links you'd like to share?