Plot Device

July 15, 2011
Category: Uncategorized

Yes, yes – I’m editing, editing, editing. So the below video is timely in terms of turning points and plot devices and other things that should be seen and not heard.

But if you’re of a writerly inclination you’ve got to see this. I howled. (Thanks, Novel Woman for the link!)

Plot Device

Plot Device from Red Giant on Vimeo.

7 comments | Print Post

Anonymous

Okay, that was freaking awesome!!
Mona Bliss

BEST.EVER.
http://twitter.com/CTannStarr CTannStarr

That was awesome! So are you.
Joe Ross

That was really good. Thanks for making my Sunday afternoon.
http://www.vickipettersson.com Vicki Pettersson

You’re all v. welcome – it was too much fun not to share!
Beth Shope

Thanks for this peek into the process. One day I hope to be looking at my own editorial letter.

I have a question, though. What does your outline look like? That is, is it a list of events? A summary of each scene and chapter? More like a detailed synopsis? I like the idea of fixing the outline first, but then I got to wondering what form the outline took and how it worked as a tool to give you a big picture look at the story.

http://www.vickipettersson.com Vicki Pettersson

Hey Beth! Great to see you – it’s been forever since Surrey/the Forum!
As for my outline – first, I’ve realized I really am an outliner. Didn’t know that for a bit. But I like a map and I geek out over structural issues, so that’s part of the fun (and thus process) for me.
Right now I’m developing an idea for a new book, so all the random scenes that I can “see” go on post its. They’re splayed all over my coffee table right now. It feel like there’s less commitment w/post its than notecards somehow. I can just crumple them up and it doesn’t really feel like I’m killing ideas. The ideas that make it end up on notecards and posted on a board so I can see the three-act structure. Then I stare and poke and stare some more.
When I’m finally happy with the story/flow, I write it all down in one document. I have the acts and scenes (1,2,3 …) marked, and a single line description of what happens in the scene. But I also add dialogue I’ve been catching and description I’ve been saving and put it in there as well. Smaller font, or italicized.
And I write from that document. If something changes in the writing of the book, I note it in this document – especially if it affects what has already been written – but will only stop to rework the outline going forward. Then I keep going.
Rinse and repeat until the draft is done. Then I update outline in whole, and start the next draft. 3 draft minimum, then do it all again after I’ve received the edit letter, which I think is what I was describing before.
I don’t break it down into chapters until the book is finished – got that from Diana.
Does that help at all?
Hope to talk to you soon!
Vic

Plot Device

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