Find the Plot Behind the Plot | Writing Thrillers

I'm going over an essential factor of writing thrillers--knowing the plot behind the plot! This is either a drafting/outlining or revision tool, depending on where you are in the process.

I'm sharing what this is and why you need it, as well as more exact methodology for doing it.

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Camera: Canon t6i
Mic: Rode VideoMic Go Light
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[AlexaDonne]

And we're back! Sorry for having this up and then reuploading: an astute viewer caught a freezing error I missed! :)

[Kelly-ibhf]

I think this important for any genre where you have a twist than involves a villain reveal. My YA fantasy story has my MC battling a "decoy villain" for most of the story, with the real villain being revealed just before the Break Into 3. So much fun to have a plot brewing secretely in the background!

[stephanietopp]

Thank you for your videos, Alexa!
This is very helpful in my manuscript. It's a fantasy, not a thriller, but there are things going on behind the scences. I think many writers forget that antagonists continue to exist when they are not on the page. I write up a list of what the antagonist(s) is doing behind the scenes start to finish to see if it makes sense and there's enough trickling into the actual scenes.
Fully fleshed out antagonists are very critical. The stronger and better the antagonist, the more the protagonist has to struggle to win. Even better is if the antagonist is right (ie not the stereotypical baddie).
Susan Dennard has an excellent system for revising a book. I adapted her index card system into a digital list and did as she suggested, reducing EVERY scene in the book to 1-2 sentences. Then I teased out all subplot and behind the scenes events and put them into lists as well. Then I read through these simplified lists end to end. It really shows what is there and what is not and if it makes any sense at all.

[kimdove]

So, tips for filling in all those "hidden scene" moments for the antag at the end so it all makes sense for the reader--WITHOUT the villain monologue moment, or a "little did you know" situation?

[jewellurban]

I just watched this tonight. I got to thinking about my antagonist and decided to write her story to explain her actions throughout the mystery book I'm writing. I couldn't believe how helpful it was. I discovered so much more about her character and events that will take place in the book and other characters who are connected to her. It also led to a better ending for my story. I could not believe how truly devious she became. It was exhilarating! Thank you!

[effiesuttonthomas]

i dont really read thrillers but this was really insightful. i always love digging into books like this<3

[emilyrln]

Okay, watching this, I had the idea to split my ridiculously huge novel (150K literary romance lol) into two separate books. It’s already two mostly separate but parallel storylines, and this might actually strengthen it by letting me keep each one more cohesive. No idea if it’ll work, but I think I’ll give it a shot!

[Space-dihc]

I started watching your videos a few weeks ago and I decided to check out your book and I'm getting it today!! I'm so excited! Keeping doing what you're doing! Thank you for inspiring and helping writers like myself

[jav]

This could not have come to me at a better time, I’ve been struggling to understand how to outline my book so that it fits the image I have of it in my head bc it seemed so complex but you worded it perfectly 😭💓💓

[nocturnus]

I've added this to my "Novelcraft" playlist because it's so important to Cogitate on this for the craft. Funny how the current string of videos are doing more than the crop of published craft books available. I'm currently inhaling Save the Cat Writes a Novel & loving it. There are some interesting connecting fibers to Dan Harmon's Plot Embryo & Randy Orton's And But Therefore framework. So much annotation & footnoting opportunities. It's become a great Prep-CampNaNoWriMo read. My iBooks iPad it getting the test.
Looking forward to the next post Alexa 🤗

[dilligenceable]

This is amazing advice, thank you!! Obsessed with your videos. I'm just about to finish 1st draft so I've been looking for revision tips so I have a plan ready to go :)

[moonpetrie]

Sold! I’m a pantser, but for my first attempt at a thriller I do want to do more planning than usual. It will be... fun? terrifying? revealing, at the very least, to get into my villain’s head and look at the story from his angle, where he thinks of himself as the hero.

[myfeelings]

Hello! This is my first time commenting on your video and I just notice your channel this morning and I really love it♥

[wattpadusergeek]

This is such an interesting way to describe this particular crafting tool! I had to take notes. I’m thinking of ways I can use it in my Adventure and Romance books too. Thanks for sharing Alexa.

[buddy]

Thank you for uploading! I'm taking notes while watching your videos because I find it helpful. 💜❤️

[Jackfrom]

That double plotline is such an awesome idea!

[HusnaReads]

I always use this technique but not knowing I use it 😂. Thanks for sharing!

[ChapterandConverse]

This is super helpful. I'm a pantser and into my first draft revision right now. Just finished doing my scene-by-scene plot for the story and am totally going to do the same for my plot behind the plot. Your timing with the video is perfect 👌🏻

[australianmagpie]

This is life-saving advice. Bless you <3

[gwynnathawinna]

This helps me a LOT, Alexa! Thank you!