Life & Writing Tools: The Plot List

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On Nights of Passion this week, Toni Kelly wrote about cognitive impairment in her article Getting Ahead of it All. I know this can happen to anyone and it makes us sad and frustrated. A word eludes us or for a writer, the worst thing is to get lost in your book and can’t remember what came directly before or after. Toni recommended lists and a book by Dr. Peter Attia. I’m getting the book.

Lists and labels are generally helpful to everyone. I know that back in 2019 when I was undergoing IV cancer treatments, I started getting brain fog and could not continue writing the book I was working on. I went to a Facebook group called Writers Helping Writers and told them my problem.

Many offered this solution:

Think grocery list. You can put 1., 2., 3., etc. if you want, but it may not be in order. Write the thought about what happened and what happened next that did come through. Don’t bother about making it a sentence. Later when the fog clears, you can print them out into strips and put them in order. Taping them and cutting off or ignoring the numbers.

That is great! And it works. I dream my books and often the dreams are not in order. So my information is there but has to be rearranged.

I will use my book EverWarm as an example of a plot list.

Maeve, 16, lives in cardboard box in alleyMaeve loves the Nutcracker Christmas display window of a storeMike, 16, loves the same windowMike thinks she is a cute redheadMike gets courage to ask her out for hot cocoaMaeve runs away

What happens next? If I didn’t know I would put it aside until I can get more on it.

Do you see how it’s done? Don’t make complete sentences. Plot lists are action based. Some description can be thrown in there too. Don’t worry about the spelling for now. Making a plot list will help you follow the movement in the storyline and keep track of what the characters are doing. This will prevent you from getting lost in the fog.

Recipes are plot lists for cooks. Almost every hobby has a plot list of how to start, continue step-by-step through the project, and how to finish.

Currently, I’m having brain fog. It could be chemotherapy residue or long covid after-effects. I’m off to make plot lists of the 4 books I’m working on. I will write them on legal pads. They work best for me. The act of writing with a pen also helps me remember.

I will be conferring with my doctor on possible medication, food choices, and supplements to take. I know there is more I can do. If you get brain fog, please, check with your physician.

Enjoy writing or indulging in that wonderful hobby of yours!

Truly,

Susan
Susan Hanniford Crowley
https://susanhannifordcrowley.com
https://www.amazon.com/Susan-Hanniford-Crowley/e/B004YXOGXG

EverNight for ages 13-113 is now available on Kindle and Amazon Paperback.
EverWarm for ages 13-113 is now available on Kindle and Amazon Paperback.
Lady Fallon’s Dragons for ages 13-113 is now available on Kindle and Amazon Paperback, Nook, Kobo, Smashwords, BAM online bookstore sells the paperback, Scribd, and in paperback in the UK at Waterstones, also on Amazon around the world.
The Vampire with a Blanket of Stars, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 3 is available in Amazon Print and Kindle, Nook, Kobo,  Apple, Walmart ebooks & Smashwords.
Vampire King of New York, Arnhem Knights of New York, Book 1 now in Kindle and Print! Walmart Bookstore Online
Vampire in the Basement, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 4 available on Kindle.
Poseidon’s Catch(mythology romance) is available on Kindle.
Mrs. Bright’s Tea Room (steampunk romance) is available on Kindle.
A Vampire for Christmas, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 3 available on Kindle.
The Stormy Love Life of Laura Cordelais, Vampires in Manhattan, Book 2 available in Kindle and Print and Barnes and Noble Print
When Love Survives, Vampires in Manhattan Book 1 is available on Kindle, Nook, Kobo, Smashwords, and iBooks (on Apple devices).

Now we wait
for the return of the princess.