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Apr 6, 2017 · Helping writers become bestselling authors. The Efficient Writer: Using Timelines to Organize Story Details. April 6, 2017 by ANGELA ACKERMAN. FACT: when we sit down to write a novel, most of us already have almost a book’s worth of notes tucked away in computer files, stored in writing apps, scribbled on notepads, or stuffed into the coffee ...
Sep 18, 2017 · Now you know what subplots are and aren’t. So what do you do with them? How do you weave them into your story in a way that enhances rather than detracts? And if you’re writing a story as complex as, say, epic fantasy, how do you keep track of all those little devils? Here are five ways. 1.
Mar 25, 2022 · You can create new stories, character sheets, answer questionnaires to help you plot your story and even use a name generator if you’re unsure of what you want your characters to be called. And it seems like there’s a word count tracker too. Plot Factory is available online but not as a downloadable tool to your desktop.
Nov 14, 2023 · You can track each plot line separately, ensuring that each thread is given its due attention and seamlessly weaves into the main narrative. Whether you’re crafting a sophisticated thriller with numerous twists or a fantasy epic with a rich tapestry of subplots, Plottr’s ability to handle multiple plot lines ensures that every part of your ...
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How do I keep track of my novel's Timeline?
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- Plan A Story by Writing A Synopsis First
- Summarize Scenes and Sequels to Outline Connected Chapters
- Plan Scenes and Chapters on Index Cards, Post-Its, Corkboards
- Plan Story Beats in Actions and Reactions
- Use Three-Act Structure
- Plan Using The Hero’S Journey
- Use Other Methods
It may seem a strange idea to write a synopsisof a story you haven’t written yet. It’s a useful way to get the cogs of story whirring, though. The Now Novel dashboardwalks you through planning stories from your Central Idea into writing a one line, then one paragraph, then one page synopsis. The expanding of your idea unlocks further ideas and ques...
If you prefer to outline scene by scene(a compromise with pantsing), scenes and sequels provide one way to organize your story. In Techniques of the Selling Writer, Dwight Swain divides story units into ‘scenes’ and ‘sequels’. Each unit has three parts: Scenes: Scenes as units of action, says Swain, should contain a goal which leads to a conflict, ...
If you’re a visual planner or prefer a more physical planning activity, writing out summary index cards for scenes (like Vladimir Nabokov did) or using post-its and corkboards is useful. When we chatted to mystery series author Dr Bonnie Traymore (whose first novel was developed with the help of our Kickstart your Novel course), Bonnie shared:
If a novel planning approach using Swain’s scenes and sequels sounds too complex, try simple units of ‘action’ and ‘reaction’. Example: Action: Evacuation order pamphlets rain down on a city. Reaction: The city’s inhabitants including a blind protagonist must leave urgently. (All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr). The reaction becomes the s...
Three-act structure is an approach to story structurederiving from Aristotle’s theories on dramatic structure in Greek antiquity. The simple premise that a story should have a beginning, middle, and end. Three-act structure is divided into: 1. Act 1: This introduces core characters such as the protagonist and important figures in their life, as wel...
Many archetypal storieshave similar narrative structure. For example stories that follow ‘The Hero’s Journey’ (theorized by Joseph Campbell) or one of several modern versions of Campbell’s ideas (such as Dan Harmon’s simplified ‘Story Circle’). Say, for example, you take a ten-part version of the hero’s journey. The average length of a paperback no...
There are various other story planning methods. Inevitably when we discuss outlining, someone will comment, ‘what about so-and-so’s approach?’ A few other fiction planning options you could explore: Nothing to do with rodents, this plotting concept introduced by Orson Scott Card and developed by Mary Robinette Kowal (see a handy infographicon Kowal...
May 30, 2023 · Storyboarding involves visually organizing a story’s sequence of events, character development, settings, and key plot points. This can be done using cards or digital tools. The technique offers an overview of the entire novel, making it easier for writers to spot connections, gaps, and pacing issues.
Oct 13, 2017 · It’s especially important to be on top of the timeline in stories if your story doesn’t run in a strict chronological order or you have several or alternating plot lines. Fortunately, there are lots of ways to easily keep track of your novel’s timeline. One way is to use specialized software.
