The ONLY Way to Plot a Novel (It's Easier Than You Think!)

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Plotting is one of the most challenging aspects of writing a novel. Some writers are meticulous plotters who map out each scene of their novel, while others are pantsers that allow the story to come to them as they write. Learning how to plot a novel successfully will take your story to new heights and strengthen your abilities as a writer, so in this video I reveal the best way to approach your plotting strategy.
 
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3 KEY STEPS TO PLOTTING A NOVEL:
02:23 – Identify your protagonist’s objectives
04:50 – Establish the stakes
06:05 – Create obstacles that get in the way
 
ABOUT ME: 
My name is Alyssa Matesic, and I’m a professional book editor with nearly a decade of book publishing and editorial experience. Throughout my career, I’ve held editorial roles across both sides of the publishing industry: Big Five publishing houses and literary agencies. The goal of this channel is to help writers throughout the book writing journey—whether you're working on your manuscript or you're looking for publishing advice.
 
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[kbc]

Apply that same character - objective - stakes - obstacle format to your antagonist and see what happens. I always find it very helpful when I know what my villains want and how they're going to try to get it. It really rounds them out, instead of just "they're evil." At any rate, it helps to look at the story from a different POV.

[billyb]

My plot: once upon a time there were tons of characters who I like and they all sat around talking to each other.

[A-Nonnie-Mouse]

8:05 for easy copy/paste: <Character> wants <objective> because <stakes>, but <obstacle> is getting in their way.

[manderbet]

I'm currently drafting the second book in my series and got a chuckle when I plugged in the story elements. Gerri wants to understand why she's a ghost because it doesn't seem to be a normal condition, but only being able to communicate through her living twin is getting in her way.

[HunterChurder-lxwz]

If you’re reading this, I’m guessing you like to write. You’ve figured out the power of words: they can make you laugh until you cry, suprise you so much your jaw drops open, or anger you enough to slam a book closed. When you write, you are harnessing this power. You get to affected how people feel and react to to words! If you’re like me, you probably can’t get enough of writing. Somtimes it’s hard for me to write. In my opinion the hardest thing to do in writing is getting the first sentence. When you’re facing a blank page, you just need to begin to write! Start with a word make it a sentence. See if you could add a few more sentences and complete just one measly paragraph. Don’t worry about what you’re saying just yet. You can even write “I don’t know what to write.” Why? Because by simply writing somthing anything you are warming up your brain imagination.

- good luck in writing

[rosieradcliffe]

You've reminded me that it really doesn't need to be complicated, or hit "beats" by a certain point. This gives me something to work from thank you!!

[evalramman]

The extremely to-the-point/succinct plotting question, at the end, was very helpful. Put it all into perspective.

[charliemgray]

Thanks! This really helped me strengthen my outline for my debut fiction novel! I appreciate your channel very much!😊

[theresagreene]

Thank you, Alyssa
I am writing a memoir and it meets the criteria for a novel so i think I am on the right track!
Your videos have been so helpful, and I am grateful for you because you have given me insight into the publishing industry that was a mystery to me.
Have a good day and see you next week !
First time commenting but a faithful watcher !

[susanbrougher]

Thanks for another insightful video. I will use these basic principles to review my plot even though my novel is complete. Seeing my plot more clearly will help me write a better pitch as I look for an agent. Your information has been so valuable to me this past year in the writing of my first novel.

[clkemp]

I appreciated this very much and subscribed to your newsletter. I usually write nonfiction essay, but found this a fun opportunity to also think about fiction.

[oldbrassman]

Thanks for the advice, Alyssa.

My hope is to create strong, realistic characters and let them push the story forward... dragging me along for the ride! But your 3-point plotting structure seems like a solid and useful checklist, regardless of genre or story length.

[lonewolf]

I found this video just now and it helped me unlock a clearer view of my novel. Thank you! I just subscribed!

[jasminealeiah]

I know this is a year old, but I love that there's someone on youtube talking about a plotting method that reminds me so much of GMC: Goal, motivation, and conflict. There's actually a book (Goal, motivation, and conflict by Debra Dixon) from the 90s that talks about this in detail. So many people don't even know what it is, and it's such a shame because it's such a wonderful concept for plotting a book.

[billermorris]

Thanks a lot. I found this really helpful. Thank you so, so much.

[MrDanroche]

I picked up Save the Cat based on one of your videos. Really helped nail down the idea of character goals and stakes. Too bad I found that book while in the fifth draft of my tenth novel. It would’ve really helped me twenty years ago.

[reticentman]

I needed help with this. Thanks. I’ve never written fiction before so it’s been difficult to focus on plot.

[DannyBoy]

This is great deep important stuff for new authors. I'd like (and maybe there is already a video for this, idk) a video on good ideas vs not so good ideas. Thanks

[ramtech]

love the video, excellent breakdown of plot

[gokux]

I just used your template and it worked.