Status Updates From Plot & Structure: Technique...

Chapter on Plotting Systems. There are two kinds of writers: those who start writing without an outline and those who write an outline and then start writing. Pantsers and Plotters in other words. Choose the method that suits you. If you're an anal plotter then the Big Outline would suit you. Basically that means following all the advice in this book.

Chapter about the Character Arc. It's important that characters change over the course of the novel. The prime example is Scrooge in A Christmas Carol - 'nuff said.

Chapter on how to put complexity into plots. The options are: weave a theme into a subplot - something the character needs to learn; use symbols and motifs (but gently); write a long novel with different places/times/challenges (for each part use the same 3 act structure and LOCK (Lead/Objective/Confrontation/Knockout) schema; introduce a parallel plot then switch between them as you go; or make the story non-linear.

Chapter on how to write scenes. Again, great advice from the author on how to pace a scene to give the reader intense action to titillate their palette / keep their interest, interspersed with scenes that are slower to give the reader a rest from emotional turmoil. The latter provide small cliffhangers (prompts) to keep readers reading. Use HIP: Hook, Intensity, Prompt. Author's snippets indicate he is a poor writer.

Chapter on endings. Solid, actionable advice. This is the book that I'm going to be checking my endings against when I get to that point. I get the feeling that, despite all the great examples given, how to craft a good ending is rather a mystery to this author. Sure, there are hints and tips aplenty, but nothing definitive.

Chapter about the middle of a novel - the second act. This is the one where the lead is fighting against the antagonist (either a person or a .. something else (a creature or a disembodied force or an internal aspect of the lead). The lead must win/lose but all the time get closer to their goal - overcoming the problems facing them. Give them hell. Keep asking 'what's the worse that can happen to them?' And write it.

A chapter on how to write the beginning of a story. There's a good (for me) section on how to write a character that a reader can identify with. Most of the characters I have written so far are not sympathetic enough; they are not such that the reader can form a bond with them. This should help. So, I'll be writing the first scene of my next novel: Rebekah, today.

That was a good chapter, in a way. There are actionable points a plenty. Twenty ideas on how to come up with a plot. A five point checklist to determine if the plot is a good one. A pyramid of points to match your plot against. And a set of exercises to put them all in motion. What's not to like?

Chapter 02 - pretty much all about the three act structure (normal, rollercoaster, climax) and the two doorways inbetween them (events that do not allow characters to get back to their previous states). Made it easy for me to write a plot.

First chapter of what seems to be a nice, straightforward book that is (so far) easy to read and informative. The exercises at the back are the most useful thing. Already posted a couple of articles on my blog that are based on this book. There's a structure called LOCK (Lead, Objective, Confrontation, Knockout) that helps to build a plot, which I found to be very useful for brainstorming my nascent novel: Rebekah.

Just the help I needed.

*Note this goes by page count; my copy goes by % so I'm on 75%*

Amazing advice, I'm now ready to start Chapter 11 on revising my plot. I just finished reading all about pantsing and plotting and I am a mix of the two but more of a plotter/outliner and for camp nano coming up I'm working on my Walford Sisters Book One outline and possibly the series as a whole. The advice from this book will be greatly used!

*Note this goes by page count; my copy goes by % so I'm on 75%*

Amazing advice, I'm now ready to start Chapter 11 on revising my plot. I just finished reading all about pantsing and plotting and I am a mix of the two but more of a plotter/outliner and for camp nano coming up I'm working on my Walford Sisters Book One outline and possibly the series as a whole. The advice from this book will be greatly used!

*Note this goes by page count; my copy goes by % so I'm on 62%*

Thus far have learned a lot about scenes and scene development in the last section. Now we're venturing into The Character Arc in plot, this shall be very helpful!

*Note this goes by page count; my copy goes by % so I'm on 54%*

We are now getting into more meat of this book. Learning all about scenes right now and how exactly, step-by-step to write a good scene. This is very helpful thus far and I can't wait to read even more of this book. Would highly recommend!

*Note this goes by page count; my copy goes by % so I'm on 38%*

Really getting some amazing advice in this book. I'm now learning about writing that pesky middle that many authors dread. If you're struggling with middles, I'd highly suggest his advice in this book!

*note* this goes by page count, my book in Kindle goes by %, so I'm actually at 32% unsure what exact page that is.

However, this is an amazing book thus far, I'm really learning a lot and am fast becoming a fan of James Scott Bell's works. He uses the 3 Act Structure in this book and explains all the steps along the way.

A really wonderful writing craft resource. He focuses on the 3 act structure and really breaks it down with examples from well known bestsellers.

Digging in and taking notes like James Scott Bell says on page 4!

I'm taking notes so it's gonna take a while!

Taking notes as I read, so it's gonna take awhile!

Not enjoying this one. I’ve learned a few things, but not as much as it wants to teach me.

This book is literally falling apart!!! I bought it new and this is my first read! Learn how to use glue Writer’s Digest Books!

Uses too many examples, 90% of which I’ve never even heard of. It makes it hard to follow.

A fab book that I keep on coming back to, reading a chapter or a section and then trying it out and reflecting before reading the next bit.

So far it's very similar to his book on Conflict & Suspense, but I'm only a few pages in.

So far so good

Completed this book. It is superior for writers. Techniques and information are outstanding. I recommend this book.

I love this book so far. The writing style is very clear and helpful, and right now I really have the urge to get a giant cork board and start mapping my novel out with red string.

zatiaľ som len začal, ale ohúrila ma v dobrom skladba a štruktúra knihy. autor presne vie o čom píše, vynikajúca logická štruktúra. teším sa. knihu som si kúpil, lebo boli na ňu vynikajúce referencie.