Writing Exercise 6: Plot Outlines

This is part of my writing exercises workbook, available to subscribers.

Outlining a story involves breaking down its main components into manageable parts. First, start with an introduction or hook that captures readers’ attention and sets the stage for what is to come. Then move onto the rising action section where tension builds up gradually towards a climax. After this comes the climax itself – usually the most intense part of the story where everything comes to a head. Following this should be a resolution or denouement, which resolves any remaining conflicts and provides closure for characters and readers alike. Finally, don’t forget about your conclusion or ending which leaves readers with something memorable or thought-provoking.

For this exercise, we’ll us a simplified plot outline and write a brief narrative for each section.  Let’s look at a simple example first:

Introduction/Hook:

Draft a narrative to open the story and set the stage for the tale.  The details here may change over time, but establishing a strong sense of place and character in a brief narrative will help with the overall outline of your story and set the stage for the conflicts your character will face and overcome.

In the bustling heart of the steam-punk metropolis, Izzy stood alone amidst the cacophony of whistles and gears. Her worn leather boots were stained with grease from countless hours spent tinkering in the master artificer’s workshop, yet she had been dismissed without warning due to a series of unfortunate accidents. As Izzy gazed up at the imposing clock tower that loomed over her humble home, determination flickered within her eyes. This was not an end but merely a beginning; for though the master artificer might have cast her out, she would prove herself worthy in this unforgiving city.

Plot Conflicts; what are the challenges Izzy will face in the story?  

Depending on your planned story length, you may want to pick multiple conflicts to move the plot along. You should decide what the major point of conflict for the overall tale is, even if there will be other conflicts within the story.

Proving herself capable: Izzy must demonstrate her skills and knowledge as an artificer, overcoming any doubts or biases from others who see her as merely a “troublemaker.”Finding a mentor: Without access to the master artificer’s workshop, Izzy will need to find another experienced artisan willing to take her under their wing and help guide her towards earning her own license.  Conflict with the master artificer: Izzy may struggle to prove herself worthy despite being dismissed from the workshop due to accidents. This conflict could lead to tension between them and their former mentor, potentially forcing Izzy to find alternative means of acquiring the skills and knowledge needed to succeed as an artificer.Conflict with other aspiring artisans: As Izzy seeks out new mentors or works to establish themselves in the industry, they may encounter jealousy, rivalry, or sabotage from competing artificers who view them as a threat to their own success.Securing financial support: To open her own shop or workspace, Izzy may require start-up capital which can be difficult for someone starting out in this competitive field.External conflicts: Izzy could face challenges such as limited resources, dangerous working conditions, or political machinations within the guild that threaten their ability to achieve their goals.

These challenges can easily be tailored to different genres as well:

Fantasy: In this genre, Izzy’s story could focus on her quest to find rare materials or lost knowledge needed to create powerful artifacts that could help save her world from an impending threat.Steampunk Romance: The love interest of another artificer could be introduced, leading to a story about their growing relationship while also exploring the challenges they face working together in such a competitive field.Cyberpunk Thriller: With cyborg elements added, Izzy’s story could revolve around her pursuit of justice against corrupt forces within the artificer guild who are using their technology for nefarious purposes.

Climax

This is where and how the major plot conflict is resolved.  Picking you climax before you start writing gives you a solid milestone to write toward.   Once again, draft a narrative describing this climactic scene.

As she stood before the panel of judges, Izzy’s heart pounded with anticipation. The years of hard work and perseverance had led up to this moment – a chance to prove herself as an artist in her own right. With steady hands, she activated the device she had spent countless hours perfecting. It hummed softly beneath her touch, its intricate mechanisms coming alive with graceful precision. The judges watched in silence, their eyes reflecting admiration and respect for the masterpiece before them. As they awarded Izzy her artificer’s license, she glanced towards the door where her former mentor stood watching from a distance. For the first time, he offered her a small nod of approval – a sign that perhaps, just maybe, he had finally come to terms with his own role in her journey.

Conclusion

Make certain you wrap up any loose ends in the tale or set the stage for the next adventure.  Try to focus on what feelings you want your character to express, and what you want your readers to take away from the story.

As she sat in her new workshop, surrounded by tools and parts that had once been denied her, Izzy felt an overwhelming sense of accomplishment. Her artificer’s license now hung proudly on the wall above her workbench – a tangible symbol of her hard-won success. With renewed determination, she turned back to the task at hand: crafting something truly unique and magnificent. The hours melted away as she lost herself in her work, unaware of anything but the intricate dance of gears and cogs beneath her fingers. And though challenges would undoubtedly arise in the future, for now Izzy reveled in this moment: the sweet taste of victory after years spent struggling against adversity.

The key to this exercise is to remain focused on the parts of the plot and not get mired down in expanding the details. Focus on creating the three narratives outlined here: the introduction or hook, the climax (after thinking about the conflicts to be faced), and the conclusion. If you come up with a storyline you want to expand and explore, great! Don’t do that expansion and exploration during the exercise. The writing exercises outlined in this series are intended to help you develop the habit of writing and thinking about various elements in story-telling.

Good luck, and have fun writing.

Follow me on Amazon, GoodReads, or Facebook to get information about upcoming book releases.