7 Basic Plots Plot Study The Writers Creed

7 Basic Plots Plot Study

The Writer’s Creed On my honor, I will do my best to create havoc on every page and to leave neither peace nor happiness in my wake; To cause problems at every opportunity; To abuse characters I love, always aspire to the worst, and sleep unburdened at night.

What This Means • Keep characters in the dark • Betray characters • Be a troublemaker • Begrudge happiness • Take glee out of humiliation • Challenge characters’ beliefs

Create Trouble on Every Page —Clint Johnson

Plot Structures

The One

Mountain Plot Map

Mountain Plot Map: FMAB Example Promised Day Want to get bodies back ut g o d bi le Fin out circ ab ns. tra t Ge ies d bo ack b Life goes on

W-Plot Map 2 nd Triggering Event Trigger Event Setting Up Problem W Deepening Problem Recovering from Problem 1 st Turning Point Resolving 2 nd Turning Point Resolution

W-Plot Map: FMAB Example Loss of bodies Nationwide transmutation circle W Get bodies back Search for Don’t know what Philosopher’s to do; group is Stone split up Search for Promised Day alternate means; Eastern Alchemy Find out stone uses human souls Anti-transmutation circle

Conflicts

Central Conflicts • Human vs. Human • Human vs. Nature • Human vs. God • Human vs. Society • Human vs. Himself • Human vs. Magic Force

Subplots • Add interest • Develop minor characters • Make smaller points • Add to message

Theme vs. Message Theme Message • General principle of story • Example of theme in action • Can apply to anything • Specific to story

Theme vs. Message Example: FMAB • Theme: One is all, all is one (i. e. , everything has a place and is connected) • Message: One cannot rise above his/her place

7 Plot Types

Basics Redemption Anticipation Nightmare Dream Frustration

The Quest Protagonist & Co. acquire important object or get to a location, facing many obstacles along the way. The Call The Journey Arrival/Fru stration Final Ordeals The Goal

The Quest Examples: • Lord of the Rings • One Piece • Legend of Zelda • Fullmetal Alchemist (beginning)

Overcoming the Monster Protagonist sets out to challenge the antagonistic force that threatens him/her and/or his/her homeland. The Call Initial Success Confrontation Final Ordeal Miraculous Escape/Monste r Death

Overcoming the Monster Examples: • Perseus • Fullmetal Alchemist • Fate/Stay Night • Avatar: the Last Airbender

Voyage and Return Protagonist goes to a strange land, faces obstacles, and returns with nothing but experience. Anticipation Stage Initial Fascination Frustration Nightmare Stage Escape/Ret urn

Voyage and Return Examples: • Alice in Wonderland • Odyssey • Spirited Away • The Hobbit

Rags to Riches Protagonist gains power, wealth, etc. , loses it all, and gains it back upon growing as a person. Wretchedness Out in World Crisis Independence Completion

Rags to Riches Examples: • Cinderella • Axis Powers: Hetalia (Liechtenstein) • Magi: Kingdom of Magic (Alibaba)

Comedy Light hearted story with a cheerful ending. Beginning Meetings Shadow of Confusion It Gets Worse Confusion is Lifted

Comedy Examples: • Baka and Test • Twelfth Night • Midsummer Night’s Dream • Ouran Highschool Host Club

Tragedy Protagonist is a villain who falls from grace and whose death is a celebrated event. Anticipation Dream Frustration Nightmare Destruction/ Death Wish

Tragedy Examples: • Death Note • Macbeth • Hamlet • Julius Caesar

Rebirth During the story, events and obstacles force the main character to change his/her ways, often for the better. Influence Threat Recedes Threat Returns “Triumph” Redemption/ Rebirth

Rebirth Examples: • Despicable Me • A Christmas Carol • Megamind • The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

Now YOU Try It! …Using the following tips. Believe in yourself.

Basic Classic Structure Exposition Threshold Rising Action Depths Climax Resolution

Creating One: Exposition • Set stage • Meet main character(s) • Background info • Inciting incident/problem arises

Creating One: Rising Action • Main character(s) are off on journey • Begin to solve/deal with problem • Possibly subplot time • Maybe splash around a bit

Creating One: Challenge 1 • Find out that problem is not actually the issue • Maybe fight something/encounter immediate issue • Usually lose battle/barely come out

Creating One: More Rising Action • Recover from Challenge 1 • Go on to continue to fix problem/real issue • Pick up new companion • More subplot time • Prepare for climax

Creating One: Challenge 2 • Characters may or may not be anticipating • Can arise from subplot/plot twist • Optional

Creating One: Climax • Final fight/showdown • Characters usually must give it their all • Usually beat villain/main conflict

Creating One: The Eagles • Usually called Resolution • May also have “Elixir” before/after • All loose ends are tied up • Everyone is happy (unless it’s a dark story)

Classify • In the space provided, classify favorite anime plot as one of the seven plot types covered. • In the other spaces, identify the plot’s theme and message • Sketch a basic plot map in the space provided

Links More plot type info: http: //www. how-to-write-a-book-now. com/seven-basic-plots. html Subplot info: http: //allwritefictionadvice. blogspot. com/2011/01/subplots. html More detailed subplot info: http: //www. writersdigest. com/online-editor/7 -ways-to-add-great-subplots-to-your-novel Complete plot/story tips: http: //www. aaronshep. com/youngauthor/elements. html Planning a plot in 8 steps: http: //www. how-to-write-a-book-now. com/plot-outline. html Plot twist help: http: //www. writersdigest. com/editor-blogs/there-are-no-rules/4 -ways-to-write-a-killer-plot-twist Theme vs. Message: http: //www. bobmoran. com/1035/the-difference-between-theme-and-message Writer’s Creed http: //www. clintjohnsonwrites. com/the-writers-creed. html