BetiSmarty Pants
asked
Ruta Sepetys:
Hello Ruta, I am thrilled that your new book is out and can't wait to read it. As an English teacher, when I read, I always wonder how authors put their stories together. Do you have any tips or methods that work well for you when you are developing your plot line that you wouldn't mind sharing?
Ruta Sepetys
Hello!
Since my books are historical, I generally allow the historic timeline to serve as the framework. As I'm putting the story together, I use the following questions to bring the elements together. Hope these are helpful for you and your students!
1.) Inciting Incident
What event sets the plot into motion?
2.) The Prize
What is it your character wants?
3.) The Strategy
What does your character decide to do in order to get what he/she wants?
4.) The Conflict
Who are some of the people who are working against your character?
5.) The Stakes
What will be the consequence if the plan does not work?
6.) The Bleakest Moment
What happens to make things look hopeless?
7.) The Lesson
What does your character learn about himself/herself, others or life?
8.) The Decision
What does your character do because of what he/she has learned?
9.) The Hole
In what way does your character need to grow emotionally? (Although probably unknown to him/her)
10.) The Back Story
What is it that is haunting your character as the story begins?
Since my books are historical, I generally allow the historic timeline to serve as the framework. As I'm putting the story together, I use the following questions to bring the elements together. Hope these are helpful for you and your students!
1.) Inciting Incident
What event sets the plot into motion?
2.) The Prize
What is it your character wants?
3.) The Strategy
What does your character decide to do in order to get what he/she wants?
4.) The Conflict
Who are some of the people who are working against your character?
5.) The Stakes
What will be the consequence if the plan does not work?
6.) The Bleakest Moment
What happens to make things look hopeless?
7.) The Lesson
What does your character learn about himself/herself, others or life?
8.) The Decision
What does your character do because of what he/she has learned?
9.) The Hole
In what way does your character need to grow emotionally? (Although probably unknown to him/her)
10.) The Back Story
What is it that is haunting your character as the story begins?
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