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Everyday English
1 Four steps to create a good story
Let's learn how we can create a plot outline for your novel in less than an hour that is emotionally compelling and dramatically sound? It's easier than you think.
1. The first element to include in your plot outline is the Story Goal, what your protagonist wants to achieve or the problem he/she wants to resolve. It is “what the story is all about.” There are many ways we could involve other characters in this goal. 38 © a) Listen to a dialogue and tell which plot sounds more appealing 2. Once you have decided on a Story Goal, your next step is to ask yourself, “What disaster will happen if the goal is not achieved? What is my protagonist afraid will happen if he/she doesn’t achieve the goal or solve the problem?” The combination of goal and consequence creates the main dramatic tension in your plot. It’s a carrot and stick approach that makes the plot meaningful. 39
© b) Listen to a dialogue and tell if you would be interested to read the story? Why? Why not? 3. Requirements is the third element of your plot outline. Requirements create a state of excited anticipation in the reader’s mind, as he looks forward to the protagonist’s success. You can think of this as a checklist of one or more events. As the Requirements are met in the course of the novel, the reader will feel the characters are getting closer to the attainment of the goal.
40 © c) Listen to a dialogue and make a list of requirements. 4. With your Story Goal in mind, ask yourself what the outcome of your characters’ pursuit of that goal will be. Will they, in particular your protagonist, achieve the Goal? Will they solve the Problem? If the answer is no, then in classical terms, your novel will be a tragedy. If the answer is yes, your plot will be what classical writers called a comedy, regardless whether or not it is humorous. (“Comedy,” before the advent of movies, simply meant a drama that ended happily.) You may already have a feeling about whether the story you are working on should end happily or unhappily. If you are uncertain, try asking yourself the following plot development questions. Do I want my reader to understand or learn from my characters’ failures, or from their successes?
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