Plot Challenges

Rhobin has come up with another thought-provoking topic. In your writing how do you recognize and overcome plot problems or failures?

Recognizing plot problems is usually fairly easy. You write yourself into a corner, or you hit writer’s block.

You sit and stare at the screen and try to force one, or more, of your characters to do something that goes against their philosophy or goal, and they refuse. The story doesn’t move forward. You decide you shouldn’t be a writer. 

Overcoming plot problems can be a challenge. One of the first things I do when I realize I’ve hit a wall and don’t know how to get over it, is take a break. Going for a walk sometimes works. It clears the mind. Listening to music. Brainstorm with a writing friend. One thing that often works for me is before I go to sleep, I think about my problem. What’s wrong with the plot? What can I do about it? Sometime before I wake up in the morning my mind will often solve the problem and when I wake up I have at least one idea on how to solve the problem. I may even have more than one possibility.

Worst case scenario is the plot isn’t working, because that’s not the way the story is meant to go. It’s not the story the characters want to tell. So, you delete, and cut, and go back to the beginning and start over.

I’m looking forward to reading how other authors handle their plot challenges.

Marci Baun http://www.marcibaun.com/blog/

Skye Taylor http://www.skye-writer.com/blogging_by_the_sea

Connie Vines http://mizging.blogspot.com/

Diane Bator http://dbator.blogspot.ca/

Judith Copek http://lynx-sis.blogspot.com/

Dr. Bob Rich https://wp.me/p3Xihq-2lz

Rhobin L Courtright http://www.rhobincourtright.com