#sscroll

[drumcannon]

Reaching completion #rakinglight #sscroll #17thcentury

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// a very basic look at my plot map I've created. Since then I've added in specific scenes and placed in spots of major character drama/development.

Also my character names are as of now, A,B,C,D,E! Yay! (No X Y or Z, I hate math)

And last update: I have finally chosen a name for the novel after about half an hour of looking up old myths from Egypt, Greece (not PJO I promise), China, etc.

The name chosen is: Hereafter! Subject to change unless I find something better, but I really needed something to put down at the top and in my google drive. 

That's all, see you guys with more updates later!

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Plot Board:

Since the best way to start a story is either to begin with characters or plot, I'm going to actually choose plot this time; mostly because I have an idea envisioned but the characters are somewhat still in the /headcanon/ phase in my head.

1.) Get a giant poster board. Like the one I took a photo of before, it is best that it has more pages underneath in case you run out of room.

2.) If you have a title, write it on the top. Or you could be me and just put 'Story thingy' at the top. /whatever floats your boat/

3.) Great, now you can get started! - Depending on which you start with, character or plot, character charts should go on the front because they take less space. Put characteristics of your character and choose a name LAST unless you have a name in mind already. STAY AWAY FROM COMMON NAMES. (Jack, Kate, Bob/Rob, Emma, etc - I just realized I listed out a bunch of characters from LOST whoops sorry). Put down anything you can think of about them. Their favorite color, their birthday, put down facts about them that you might not even include in the story physically, but based on their characteristics it's easier to shape a character around them. If you need to, google a picture of someone just to visualize in your head what they look like. I'll do a separate tip chart about characters when I get to them, alright?

- PLOOOOOOT MAPS /jumps up and down/ + Create a giant upside down 'U' shape on the back of your poster board. The bottom of the upside down U is your beginning, where you explain the setting, and introduce the main character and a few other major details.  +When introducing your character choose where they are set. In the beginning of even the first chapter,can you flesh out some of their early traits? Maybe begin with a storyboard where character A (I was going to use X until I realized I really hate math) is watching a bullying scene or something in their society that is corrupt. Either show they are confident and have them stand up to the opposer, which would make a rather boring and dull plot because the character is already fully matured, or make them step back. Then you can show character development between one scene with a similar scene later on and see how their thoughts or actions are different with time. + Avoid typical beginnings. As in, 'Once upon a time', unless you're thinking about writing a children's book. Heroes often ever get their happy endings in old myths which begs to surprise me with modern stories as most of the heroes/heroines receive a partner, get married, have kids, blah blah, happily ever after. No. That's boring. And if you read so many books like that it's cliche. Try and make your own story different in various aspects so it stands out.  + As far as creating the plot map, start small. Beginning, Middle (climax), and end. (This sounds really dumb but compare it to a sandwich. You need all the parts and then add in the rest as the filler, the fluff, but keep it relevant.) + Pick how your beginning starts, where the climax shout approximately be, and a vague feeling towards the end or the finish of the story. + MAKE SURE WHEN YOU WRITE THE ENDING YOU HAVE A FEELING OF /COMPLETION/ As in, don't leave loose strings just hanging unless you have a particular reason. Otherwise the reader feels cheated and confused as to what the meaning and purpose of the story was. Unless you plan to continue it, avoid cliffhangers. Don't just randomly drop it off. + PLOT TWISTS Be careful with plot twists. As mentioned before, aVOID /CLICHES./ They are boring and thou art make thy writing gods roll over in their graves and weep with tears of heartless angels. I'm going to be making a Do's and Don't's chart of plot twists later on, this is mostly a brief idea of how to make a plot map in the early stages.

When you've made your map, start filling in little tick marks along the slope for maybe places for major events or scenes you want to add for effect. For each tick mark place a number and then on the side, flesh out the idea in the space so you remember to add it later on.

Plot maps are great in the same way chapter maps are useful; they keep the plot alive and where you feel areas are lacking support, you can squeeze in more information where needed. And when you suddenly are struck with another idea or Machiavellian theme you want to add, just make a tick mark and write it down.

I advise after you create a plot map you also take the time to create a 'chapter map' on a separate sheet of paper. It will show you how /chronologically/ the plot will flow. Even add summaries to the chapters so you know what each one is about.

There is my somewhat /brief/ idea of what a plot board is. It's great for organizing ideas and knowing where to place your scenes. 

Most times you might toss out your plot if you find there are flaws or cliches inside. (Also, as a cliche, avoid saying cliche in the book itself. It tends to stick out and make thine reader vomit inside thy paper binding.)

Next up: Elements (weee~)

Keep writing!

A/N - Will keep updates on how my own plot board is going, but as for now it is mostly blank except for my basic plot. Blaah.

most of this probably doesn't make sense but I'm just posting these in case it makes sense for somebody out there who is writing and looking for quick tips. Yooooo bye

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/// since my sims game won't work im gonna start making the first steps of my story map

this involves writing down plot ideas and deciding which one would work better

/sigh

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i will actually start posting writing tips tomorrow- i mean today

bc ive been up all night

if you want to see tips either look under my main blog tag #writing things or the one here will be #sscroll

everything else will be updates on the novel or questions about characters and such etc thanks bye