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September 2023
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Alright, folks, buckle up. We're about to take a wild ride down the curvy, often treacherous, road of crafting a compelling plot. But don't worry, I promise it's going to be as fun as a roller coaster ride, but with fewer whiplash claims. Plot Structures: The Building Blocks of Your Fictional EmpireFirst off, let's talk plot structures. They're the backbones of our stories, the foundation that keeps everything upright, sort of like the starch in a stand-up guy's collar. Now, you could go with the classic three-act structure: Setup, Confrontation, Resolution. It's a reliable old workhorse, like an '86 Buick LeSabre. It's not flashy, but it'll get you from point A to point B. But hey, maybe you're more adventurous, right? Maybe you want your plot to have as many twists and turns as Lombard Street in San Francisco. In that case, you might consider something like the Hero's Journey or the Seven-Point Story Structure. These are more intricate, sure, but they also come with GPS navigation and a rear-view camera. In other words, they provide a clear roadmap for your story and make it less likely that you'll accidentally back over your own plotline. Building Tension: The Fictional Blood Pressure CuffOkay, you've got your structure nailed down. Now, how do you keep your readers on the edge of their seats, biting their nails, and doing all the other clichéd things we say when we mean "engaged"? One word, folks: tension. Tension in a story is like the rubber band around a wad of bills – it keeps everything together and gives you a satisfying 'snap' when you finally let it go. Creating tension is like cooking a gourmet meal, you've got to season it just right. Add too little, and your story is as bland as a tofu turkey on Thanksgiving. Add too much, and it's as overwhelming as Aunt Mildred's perfume at a family reunion. Remember, your readers are not just passive observers. They're more like detectives, piecing together clues, making predictions. So give them a breadcrumb trail to follow, but don't make it too easy. Like a good magician, you should always keep them guessing. Just when they think they've figured it out, pull another rabbit out of your hat. Or a pigeon. Or a small, yappy dog. Whatever keeps them on their toes. Twisting the Plot: The Storyteller's Chiropractic AdjustmentFinally, let's talk plot twists. The sudden left turns that make your readers' heads spin like they're on
the Teacups ride at Disneyland. But be careful. A good plot twist should be like a surprise party – unexpected, but in hindsight, all the signs were there. If it comes out of nowhere, it's less of a plot twist and more of a plot assault. Plot twists should be like Dennis Rodman in a wedding dress – shocking, but somehow fitting. They should be rooted in the characters' actions and decisions, not dropped in from the sky like an anvil in a Looney Tunes cartoon. They should feel inevitable and surprising at the same time, like finding out your high school math teacher is also a semi-pro Elvis impersonator. In conclusion, crafting a compelling plot is a bit like juggling flaming chainsaws. It's tricky, dangerous, and not for the faint of heart. But if you can pull it off, the results are spectacular. So go ahead. Pick up those chainsaws. Just, you know, maybe wear a helmet or at least some sensible footwear. And remember, no matter how daunting it may seem, every great story started with someone daring to juggle their own set of chainsaws. Now, it's your turn to dazzle the audience. Go forth and write with the audacity of Evel Knievel jumping the Grand Canyon. Just remember to stick the landing.
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