The Short Fuse Guide to Plotting Your Novel

By Connor Goldsmith

Literary agent Connor Goldsmith walks you through plotting a commercial novel that will grip readers from the very start and not let go until the book (or series) ends. Filled with examples from current bestsellers and beloved classics, this guide shows you:

* How to hook your reader from the first page

* The three-act structure and how to expand on it to fit the needs of the audience

* Plot points and how they work

* How and where to apply twists

* Plot devices that keep the reader wanting more

* Traits and relationships that make for strong, memorable characters

* Common pitfalls to avoid

* And more

Short Fuse Guides offer insider tips and tricks for writers, written by agents and covering different areas of the ever-changing publishing industry.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Short Fuse Publishing
• Release date: Oct 30, 2014
• ISBN: 9781311729200

Book preview

THE SHORT FUSE GUIDE TO PLOTTING YOUR NOVEL

By Connor Goldsmith

The Short Fuse Guide to Plotting Your Novel

Published 2014 by Short Fuse Publishing, a Fuse Literary imprint.

http://fuseliterary.com

Smashwords Edition

Copyright © 2014 Connor Goldsmith

All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording or by any information storage and retrieval system, without the written permission of the Publisher, except where permitted by law. All inquiries should be addressed to [e-mail].

Cover images Copyright © 2014 Fotolia Stock Images

Cover design by Laura Cummings

ISBN: 9781311729200

TABLE OF CONTENTS

INTRODUCTION

BEYOND THE THREE-ACT STRUCTURE

THE HOOK

THE WANT AND NEED

THE ANTAGONIST

THE INCITING INCIDENT

THE STAKES

THE REVERSAL

THE MIDPOINT

THE PLANT AND PAYOFF

THE SEQUEL

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

ALSO AVAILABLE

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INTRODUCTION

Often, in submissions that are otherwise very promising, there’s a very specific and potentially insurmountable flaw. Oh no, I murmur to myself. This book has no plot.

I once told a writer that I thought they were a brilliant prose stylist with a great eye for character, but that I had read all 500 pages of their manuscript and not a single exciting thing had happened. This, needless to say, was a problem!

Personally, I think plot is the most difficult thing for a writer to do. It is for me, at any rate, whenever I’ve tried to write in the past. Worldbuilding? Fun! Characters? Sure, I’ve got plenty. But then what happens?

I’m constantly amazed by authors who regularly craft thrilling, effective narratives, and I’ve studied narrative extensively in large part to fully understand this seemingly magical, ephemeral skill that so eluded me as a young writer—the better to assist my clients now.

—What’s in a narrative?

In grade school, many of us learn the narrative structure of Western literature set forth by Aristotle in Ancient Athens so long ago: stories have a beginning, a middle, and an end.

That broad skeleton of a plot is still valid today, and is definitely a great starting point, but it alone is insufficient for plotting a modern,