every time i get, slightly, hit by inspiration and start writing like a madman, I do tend to also remind myself that it's just a draft so it doesn't have to be perfect.
in fact, it won't be. and, again, it doesn't have to be. a draft can be messy, have dialogues that probably makes no sense, grammatical errors, missing some details but that's okay. because I'm just writing to avoid forgetting the idea.
so I guess it's okay if I accidentally wrote "he saw with hiw too fet"
i love headcanons. i love the entire concept of headcanons. i can point at a character and go "that guy has chronic pain" and now he does. what are you going to do? tell me im wrong? its My head, fucker
that's why they're called "HEADcanon" but I've encountered people who would still fight off others for writing the character "way too out of character" or "but the character would never do this, the character didn't have this"
mate, what's the point of writing headcanons if I can't change or add stuffs for the plot. as long as the main essence remain.
i’m sad -> i look at images of my ~40 year old man of choice -> i twirl my hair and kick my legs -> i think crazy thoughts -> i feel okay -> rinse repeat
very bad written, i know. i didn't want to forget the stupidest idea my brain came up with so this user tapped fast, fast.
they keep me going.
Was he lost? Most likely. But he was, at least, an eighty percent sure he followed the directions quite well, he remembered and could recognised the specific trees the old man in the previous town mentioned as well as the peculiar yet pretty black bell-shaped flowers. He turned right, and then left, and then right again and kept walking straight to the north through that dusty path full of rocks and cactuses.
So how could he be lost? Of course he wasn't. However night was falling over and covering the sky. The ray of sunlights, barely touching the tips of those tall pine trees, were getting weaker with each passing minute and not providing him of warmth. Nights in the woods was absolutely not a good idea so he was thinking of finding a good spot to sleep.
Not the best idea but he didn't have any other choice, the cold breeze making its way through his clothes was enough reason to give up on trying to find that town. Besides Xiao XingChen was sure wild animals were ready to step outside and haunt some food after a long day. He did not want to get in the way, he quickly dashed to pick up some dry wood to start a fire and keep, not only those predators, but insects off him as well.
Walking forward a few more metres he found a good spot, the roots of the trees was giving him the best hide out. Xiao XingChen was ready to make that his new place to rest when his ears picked up some noise. It sounded like a crowd cheering at something. The sound seemed to be far from were he was standing and the sun was nowhere to be seen, but the pale moonlight did its job by not letting him in complete darkness.
The cheers could be heard again. He looked at the directions the voices were coming from.
"I wonder what's going on over there," he couldn't wonder to himself, curiosity was killing him. He ought to wake up as early as possible and walk to that town and find out.
"Haunting." a husky voice said from behind him.
He turned over his heels but there was no one. At least, as far as his eyes could see, only the pines were there, not a single human silhouette was standing there. Thinking he probably heard wrong or the fatigue was making him hear things he was ready to ignore it until his ears caught the same husky voice.
"Up here." The owner said, giggling.
Xiao XingChen looked up and there it was. The human. The young boy resting over one of the pine's branch, big enough to hold him secured, a half smile plastered on his face and his grey eyes seemed to pierce through Xiao XingChen's very own soul. He was, chewing? what it seemed like some dry thin grass, looking as relaxed as anyone could ever be considering it was a dark and quiet night.
Xiao XingChen thought staring at him for too long was being a bit rude. He cleaderd his throat and asked, "haunting did you say?".
The youth jumped down the tree and answered, "yeah, someone announced a big deal as a reward," he cleaned some dust off his clothes and continued, "for the haunting."
The cheers now made some sense, however, haunting at these hours? It didn't sound smart at all but maybe that was part of the town's tradition so Xiao XingChen opted for ignoring that reasoning and tried to get more information.
"May I know what are they haunting?" questioned while crossing his arm over his chest. It was getting too cold.
"A cat," the grey-eyes boy said and then did a movement with his head, pointing out something with his chin ahead of them "We should head over to the town, it's too cold to sleep outside, don't you think?" spoke and started walking at a slow-paced, making sure Xiao XingChen was following right behind.
Which he was, in fact, doing. He was following that young man to the town he had been trying to find so desperately during the whole day to no avail. He gave up just because of the obvious fact it was too dark and, if he was lost to begin with, roaming around in the darkness would've been a bad idea. He was hoping the boy knew the road well.
"Watch out, there are some big roots here. You don't wanna trip and hurt, right?" joked and, not only that, but he also guided Xiao XingChen to make sure he could get over them without problem.
"I can barely see them. "I guess you know well this path to even pint point such details. " XingChen voiced after successfully passing through the moldy roots.
The boy giggled, "I guess."
The two of them walked for a couple of more minutes, Xiao XingChen could hear some cats meowing in the distance as well as some distinctives howls but, fortunately for them, nothing decided to attack them in the way. Xiao XingChen was deeply grateful and he could sense his body relaxing after they reached the entrance of the town.
He was ready for a warmth room, a soft bed and cozy blankets.
"The lodging house is right there. The owner should be awake" he said and was already in his way to leave.
"Wait!", Xiao XingChen urged while grabbing the boy's sleeves in an attempt to stop him, "you didn't tell me your name. I am Xiao XingChen and I thank you for helping me get here" finished at the same time he slightly bowed to him.
There was an awkward silence before the young man decided to speak again, "I'm Xue Yang," and left as fast, and misteriously, as he showed up.
Xiao XingChen sighed and quickly walked inside the building. It was old, the wooden floor would often creak under his weight, some of the boards seemed even a bit loosen so he was extremely careful when walking. The walls covered in an already faded wallpaper of a dark green, a few paintings hanging, they looked as bad as the building.
"Young man, are you here for a room?" a high-pitched voice startled him.
He looked to his right and saw an old lady dreeses in red and a white headscarf standing close to the stairs.
"Yes, in fact."
The lady asked for his name and some amount of money XingChen thought was a bit too much taking in consideration the state of the building but, since it was the only place and there was no other option since the outside was definitely a no, he opted to keep quiet and gave the woman the money. She gave him a rusty key and he climbed up the stairs.
The room was... good.
The bed did not looked comfortable and the blankets were yellow from the pass of ages. Nevertheless it served its purpose of keeping him protected from the cold. The lighting was good enough and he could see the moon through the window. XingChen was so tired from the long walk and the sudden stress he felt thinking he got lost, that he actually didn't mind at all the state of the room. The moment his eyes saw the bed, his body was completely ready to give up and started to doze off. His eyelid were so heavy and keep them open was a tough task.
Clumsily he took his boots out and lay down on the bed. Ready to fall asleep at any second when he sensed something, there was a peculiar sound coming from outside the window. Maybe it was a bird, or anything like that. He tried his best to ignore it but the noise became louder and too annoying. So, with great effort, he opened his eye, stood up and looked at the window.
It was now open and a black cat was, calmly, sitting on the window frame. XingChen made eye contact with the animal and he could not flinch slightly at those big grey eyes. They seemed to pierce right through his soul.
au where, while they were together in high school, Xue Yang and Xiao XingChen adopt a stray kitten and spent a bunch of days trying to come up with a name and after years —even when they broke up for a reason they don't even remember— still see each other because none of them wanna give up their "son".
A Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting a Compelling Storyline
I'll warn you, this is a long one. I kind of took 'comprehensive guide' a little too seriously.
You have a fantastic concept burning at the edges of your imagination, a collection of characters whispering their stories to you, and a world just waiting to be explored. But how do you weave all these elements into a story that grips readers and refuses to let go? The answer lies in effective plot planning.
A well-crafted plot isn't just a sequence of events; it's a carefully orchestrated symphony that takes readers on an unforgettable ride. Whether you're an experienced writer or someone trying to start their first book, here are my personal steps to crafting a compelling storyline with good plot planning.
Step 1: Idea Generation and Conceptualization
Every great story begins with a spark of inspiration. It's that moment when an idea ignites in your mind and beckons you to explore its potential. The journey from a fleeting thought to a fully-fledged concept is an exhilarating one, and it all starts with idea generation and conceptualization.
Techniques for Idea Generation
Mind Mapping
Grab a piece of paper or use a digital tool to create a mind map. Write your central idea in the middle and branch out with related concepts, characters, themes, and settings. Mind mapping can help you visualize the connections and possibilities within your idea.
Bullet journalling
Bullet journalling is my personal favourite way to generate ideas for your WIP. Get a piece of paper or open a Word/Docs document and create three different sections: world, characters, and plot. Now add facts to each of those sections that you've come up with so far.
You can even go a step ahead and create more detailed sections, for example, you could do this for your different characters or different places in your world. Usually, one bullet point leads to the next and once you have an idea of everything you've already established you'll naturally start adding more to it.
Blurting
Talk to someone about your WIP, or pretend that you're talking to someone and write down everything that comes to mind. You can even use AI tools like ChatGPT and ask it to hold a conversation with you about your WIP. Tell it to ask you questions along the way, this will get the wheels turning and even help fill plot holes.
Prompts and Challenges
Explore writing prompts or challenges to spark your creativity. Websites, books, or even random word generators can provide the nudge you need to generate fresh ideas.
Refining Your Concept
Once you have a collection of ideas, it's time to refine and shape them into a cohesive concept.
Identify Themes
What themes or messages do you want to convey through your story? Is it a tale of redemption, the power of friendship, or the consequences of ambition? Pinpointing your core themes will guide your storytelling and also give you a clear image of the end goal.
Find Your Angle
Consider what makes your idea unique. How can you approach a familiar concept from a fresh perspective? For example, if you're doing a classic murder mystery, what makes your book different from others? Take some time to look up titles similar to your WIP and find any repetitive themes/patterns.
Maybe most murder mysteries end with the partner being the killer, or maybe the fantasy books written in the same mythology as your WIP's all involve a war. Knowing what is currently a popular trend in the market can give you a clear idea of where you can be different from comparable titles. This is especially important for genres like horror and romance.
Develop a Premise
Your premise is the foundation of your story. It's the "what if?" question that drives your narrative. For instance, "What if an ordinary high school student discovers they have the ability to control time?" You need to have a solid premise before you even think about writing your story.
Step 2: Character Development and Motivation
Characters are the beating heart of your story, and crafting them with depth and authenticity is key to creating a narrative that truly captivates. Your characters often leave more of a lasting impact on your readers than the plot itself.
Think of it this way: a good plot will get you readers, but memorable characters will get you fans. Some of the largest communities in the book space all run on the readers' fondness for certain characters rather than the story itself. Yes, your story and the way you tell it is very important, but nobody wants to listen to the story of a boring person.
Bringing Characters to Life
Personal Histories
Delve into your characters' pasts. What experiences shaped them into who they are today? A traumatic childhood or a life-changing event can influence their motivations and behaviours. Maybe your antagonist has a soft spot for single parents because their mother was the only person who cared for them. Maybe the love interest seems like a sunshine character because they feel the need to always seem put-together and perfect.
Physical Traits
This might sound obvious enough, after all a character's appearance is the first thing people think of when visualising, however, many authors fail to have a clear image of their character's physical traits which can lead to inconsistent or boring descriptions. Sure, your protagonist can have bushy hair and brown eyes, but what else?
Think about their body type, height, fashion sense, the way they carry themselves, walk, and sound. Do they have a random mole at the back of their neck? Do they always smell like a certain perfume because their dead father gifted it to them? It's important for you to have a clear image of who you're writing.
Strengths and Flaws
Just like real people, characters have strengths and weaknesses. These traits affect their decisions and interactions. A courageous hero might also struggle with recklessness, adding complexity to their personality. It's easy to create 2D characters by using tropes or shallow descriptions 'an all-powerful villain' 'the chosen one who trained their whole life and is perfect', but 3D characters are what will actually catch your readers' attention.
There's a reason why people often love the grey characters, the anti-heroes or anti-villains. Those who have complex personalities that make them seem human. This makes us empathise with the characters, and as a writer, it also helps you think of your characters as real people with flaws and problems.
Motivations: The Why Behind the What
Goals and Desires
What do your characters want? Their goals drive the plot forward. A detective's desire to solve a mystery or a scientist's quest for a groundbreaking discovery sets the narrative in motion. Why is your protagonist doing what they are doing?
You could simply give yourself a generic answer like 'they want to save the people' or 'they're a good person' but this can lead to confusion in the long run. If as the writer you yourself can't understand your character's goals it will get very hard to showcase them to your readers. Try to pick apart each character and genuinely consider why they are the way they are.
Inner Conflicts
Characters often grapple with inner turmoil – the clash between their desires, values, and fears. This inner conflict adds layers of intrigue and reliability. Maybe your protagonist realises the antagonist's qualms with the government are actually valid and suffers from moral conflicts as they contemplate whether or not they are the 'good guy'. Inner conflict adds dimension to your characters which in turn makes it easier for your readers to empathise with them.
Step 3: Outlining the Key Plot Points
Now that you have a clear idea of what you want to write and who you want to write it with, it's time to consider the how. You have a story, but how do you want to tell it? Break down the key plot points that shape your narrative, creating a roadmap that guides your characters through their trials and triumphs.
The Building Blocks of Plot
The Inciting Incident
The spark that ignites your story. It's the moment when your protagonist's world is disrupted, setting them on a path of change. For example, in "The Hunger Games," Katniss Everdeen's sister being chosen for the Games is the inciting incident that propels her into the arena.
This can be a little harder to recognise in genres outside of SFF and horror. For a thriller novel, this moment could be the moment your protagonist uncovers a sketchy detail in their relative's death. In romance, it could be the moment your protagonist is introduced to the love interest.
Turning Points
These are pivotal moments that shift the course of your narrative. They introduce new challenges, reveal secrets, or force characters to make crucial decisions. Think of them as the gears that keep your story machine turning. It's important to have some sort of turning point in your story to keep things interesting.
Maybe the character your protagonist was suspecting throughout the first half of the book ends up having a solid alibi, or a seemingly innocent character suddenly seems sketchy.
The Climax
The peak of tension and conflict. It's the moment your characters face their biggest challenge and must make their ultimate choice. In "The Lord of the Rings," the climactic battle at Mount Doom decides the fate of Middle-earth. In a murder mystery, this can be the moment the real killer is unveiled, or in a rom-com, it could be when the love interest moves to a new city to follow the protagonist.
Falling Action and Resolution
As your story winds down, the falling action ties up loose ends and provides closure. Readers witness the aftermath of the climax, and the characters' arcs find resolution. This is the bit where you make sure you aren't leaving any plot holes behind. Remember that random character your protagonist suspected at the start of the book? What's their alibi, why did they suddenly get out of the picture?
Structuring Plot Points
Introduction of Stakes
Introduce what your characters stand to gain or lose early on. This creates a sense of urgency that propels them forward. What if your protagonist fails to complete their missions? What if the detective never unveils the killer's identity? What if your protagonist doesn't win over the love interest? Show your readers the worst possible outcome early on so they know why they should be rooting for your protagonist.
This doesn't necessarily have to be something big or scary. In Harry Potter, many of us wanted Harry to stay at Hogwarts because his life with the Dursleys was cruel and he deserved happiness. That was a small yet significant stake that made the readers empathetic and silently root for Harry.
Foreshadowing and Setup
Plant seeds of future events throughout your story. Foreshadowing builds anticipation and adds depth, making later plot developments more satisfying. I have written a lot of blogs that either cover or briefly mention foreshadowing so I'm going to keep this point a little short.
Foreshadowing helps your readers slowly piece everything together and have that 'I knew it!' or 'how did I not see this coming?' moment. It might also encourage them to turn back and reread your work to focus on the little hints you left throughout the book. Foreshadowing is especially important in murder mysteries.
Step 4: Subplots and Secondary Storylines
Subplots and secondary storylines are the secret ingredients that transform a good story into an unforgettable masterpiece. They add layers of intrigue, provide character development opportunities, and keep readers eagerly turning pages. If you're confused about what is a subplot and how to create one you can visit my previous blog that focuses on this topic.
The Role of Subplots
Enriching Character Arcs
Subplots allow secondary characters to shine. They can showcase different facets of your characters' personalities, revealing their strengths, weaknesses, growth, and relationships.
Theme Reinforcement
Subplots can explore and reinforce your story's themes from various angles. For instance, a romantic subplot can underscore the theme of love and sacrifice, in turn making your protagonist’s heroic death at the end of the novel seem more impactful. We all know Pepper’s reaction to Tony’s death in End Game made the moment more emotional.
While creating subplots and considering which one might be relevant to your book you should think of how this subplot would impact your end goal and whether it would help emotionally connect with your readers.
Parallel Journeys
Subplots can create parallel journeys that mirror or contrast with the main plot. This dynamic adds depth and resonance to your storytelling. Maybe the antagonist’s assistant has a similar backstory to your protagonist but while the protagonist was rescued by the government they were taken in by the antagonist. As the two geniuses face each other your protagonist can’t help but consider whether they would still be fighting for the ‘good’ side had their roles been switched.
Balancing The Main Plot and Subplots
Interconnectedness
Subplots shouldn't feel disconnected from the main plot. Instead, they should interact and influence each other, creating a harmonious narrative flow. Your subplot could help bring a satisfactory end to a certain arc of your story, or it could sow the roots for the important climactic moment of your book.
Pacing and Tension
Strategically introduce subplots to maintain pacing and tension. They can provide moments of relief or heightened drama, enhancing the overall reading experience.
Character Integration
Ensure that characters involved in subplots maintain relevance to the main plot. Their actions and decisions should contribute to the overarching story, even as they pursue their own paths. You should also think about whether or not your character is overshadowing the protagonist. In Harry Potter there were several characters such as Ginny, Luna and Neville with subplots and backstories of their own, however, they never overshadowed Harry’s tale.
Step 5: Crafting Scenes and Sequences
Welcome to the realm where the magic truly comes to life – crafting scenes that resonate, captivate, and propel your story forward. Scenes are the building blocks of your narrative, each one a window into your characters' world and emotions. They help infuse your story with tension, emotion, and unforgettable moments.
Again, this is a topic I’ve covered separately in another blog so I won’t go into too much detail here.
Scene Structure and Elements
Objective and Conflict
Every scene should have a purpose – a clear objective that drives the characters. Introduce conflict that challenges their goals and motivations, creating tension that keeps readers engaged.
Emotion and Stakes
Characters' emotions are the heartbeats of scenes. Amplify emotions by highlighting what's at stake for the characters. Whether it's a heated argument or a tender moment, emotions draw readers in.
Sequences: Crafting a Flow
Cause and Effect
Scenes connect through cause and effect. Each scene's outcome sets the stage for the next, creating a seamless flow that propels the narrative. A character's choice in one scene can reverberate and shape subsequent events.
Rising Action
Craft sequences with escalating tension. The stakes should intensify, drawing characters deeper into challenges and dilemmas. This creates a sense of anticipation that keeps readers eagerly turning pages.
Step 6: Mapping the Journey: Creating a Visual Plot Outline
Visualising your plot, characters, and world can be very hard sometimes. Let's be honest, words can only do so much and if you don't have a clear idea of what you want to show your readers you can end up going down a path of 'telling' them everything. This can take away from the point of your story and end up boring your readers. If you find it hard to visualise where you're going with your book, here are some tips that can help.
Visual Tools for Plot Planning
Timelines and Flowcharts
Create a timeline that outlines the sequence of major events, from inciting incidents to resolution. Flowcharts visually depict the interconnectedness of plot points, making it easy to track the evolution of your story. You can also cut out or add bits depending on how far along you are. This will also help you keep track of what scene/development should be introduced when and why.
Index Cards or Post-Its
Write down key scenes, plot developments, and character arcs on individual index cards or sticky notes. Arrange and rearrange them on a board or wall to visualize the narrative's flow. You can also do this if you're confused about the climax of your novel by adding different ideas to the post-its and putting them alongside the rest of the book's plot to see what things would look like from a reader's perspective.
Infusing Creativity
Playlists
Curate a playlist that captures the mood and emotions of your story. Music has the power to transport you to the heart of your narrative, helping you channel the right atmosphere while plotting. You can listen to this playlist every time you sit down to write WIP. With time, this will also help you overcome writer’s block since you can put on this playlist every time you struggle to get into the right writing mindset.
Moodboards/Pinterest Boards
Create a visual feast by collecting images, aesthetics, and visuals that embody your story's essence. Platforms like Pinterest allow you to craft moodboards that serve as visual touchstones. I would recommend creating a separate pinboard for every character so you can get a clear idea of their vibe and appearance. You can even refer to these every time you're writing about or from the perspective of a new character.
Step 7: Flexibility and Adaptability
As you embark on your writing journey, remember that stories have a life of their own. Embracing flexibility and adaptability is your compass through uncharted territories.
Allow characters to surprise you, let plots pivot, and themes emerge. Balancing structure with spontaneity ensures a dynamic narrative that resonates deeply. Listen to your characters, explore ethical complexities, and evolve alongside your story.
By staying open to the unexpected, you infuse your writing with authenticity and richness. Your plot outline is a guide, but your characters and themes have the power to shape the course. Embrace the unpredictable, and watch your story flourish beyond your imagination.
I hope this blog on A Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting a Compelling Storyline will help you in your writing journey. Be sure to comment any tips of your own to help your fellow authors prosper, and follow my blog for new blog updates every Monday and Thursday.
Looking For More Writing Tips And Tricks?
Are you an author looking for writing tips and tricks to better your manuscript? Or do you want to learn about how to get a literary agent, get published and properly market your book? Consider checking out the rest of Haya’s book blog where I post writing and publishing tips for authors every Monday and Thursday! And don’t forget to head over to my TikTok and Instagram profiles @hayatheauthor to learn more about my WIP and writing journey!
Im rebloging this because the urge to write my first book but having five different ideas is a pain. i need to calm down and do this or else i won't be able to write anything.
other people after finishing a movie or a show: well that was nice. now I’m gonna move on with my life like a normal person
me after finishing a movie or a show: now excuse me while I adopt the personality of this fictional character, who clearly has at least hundreds of untreated issues, and make it my own. okay now I’m doing my deep research on everything about this media which I now have an extremely unhealthy obsession with. oh and I also run a stan acc for him now, I guess. anyway, here comes a 90k slow burn AO3 fic. that being said, I hope you don’t mind my talking about this fictional character, whom I consider my actual biological child, 24/7. literally he will be the only thing I talk about now. either end our friendship before it’s too late or prepare to listen to 8 hours of me talking about what type of food I think my blorbo would like :)
im not much into heroes and stuffs like that so maybe this have been made but oh boy, how much i wish there was an introvert hero or villain, where they don't use the "family/friends make me stronger" already used and boring genre.
i want them to gain strength when they're alone, I want them to be a bit awkward but not to the point of get second hand embarrassment, i want them to be quiet, avoiding crowded places, listening to music all the time. Maybe they like to read, maybe they prefer tea over coffee, im not saying they can't have friends, maybe they will do but not using the power of friendship to win.
i want an introvert hero or villain that avoid human interaction, to fight on their own and find joy in being alone. i want a proper representation of an introvert aka let them be that way and not trying to "fix" them. because we, introverts, dont need to be fixed, there's nothing wrong with us.
pixelskylines
titsay
romaincrisis
yousharknotpass
