Martha provides a clear explanation of plot dynamics. In this brief video, she illustrates how external events influence a character’s internal emotional growth through cause and effect, showcasing the intricate relationships within narrative structures.
Expand your understanding of plot and the Universal Story by reading any or all of the following:
- The Plot Whisperer – Part I: The Outline of the Plot: Starting is Half the Battle
- The Plot Whisperer Workbook – Introduction and Chapter 1: Prepare to Plot
- Complete the exercises on page 23
- Writing Blockbuster Plots: Introduction (both) and Chapter 1
Martha challenges us to always “be writing” our stories even when plotting. So, let’s do it! Start writing your story! You don’t need to write in order or write complete scenes for that matter. Just start. I know it can be scary, but that’s part of writing. Just leap. We’re here for you.
Need help? Try this prompt from The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts:
Prompt 1: Write a scene that shows your main character taking action toward her/ his/ their goal. For instance, she looks through the want ads for a job. He shows her own style and voice in how she searches for a job or a partner, attempts to solve a mystery, tries to write a book, attempts to get from one place to another, or something else. Whatever you write should clearly illustrate your protagonist’s voice and their attitude. If she is the narrator, the writing should reveal her inner voice as well as her external one.
Martha Alderson, The Plot Whisperer Book of Writing Prompts 18
Edited Transcript of video for your convenience:
Introduction
Hello, my name is Martha Alderson, and I am known as The Plot Whisperer for the work I do with writers worldwide and write books about plot development for writers.
Defining Plot
I wanted to give you the definition of plot, or at least the way that I define it. I define plot as how the external dramatic action changes or transforms the characters’ emotional development through cause and effect over time in a meaningful way.
Let me repeat that: I define plot as how the external dramatic action affects or changes the character, or the protagonist’s internal emotional development, over time through cause and effect in a meaningful way.
Components of a Plot
This definition encompasses the major plot lines: the dramatic action plot, the character emotional development plot, and the thematic plot or the thematic significance plot. If you can get those in place with cause and effect, you’ve got yourself a story with a plot.
Conclusion
So, good luck! I hope you will visit my blog or my website at MarthaAlderson.com (Now, theplotwhisperer.com!)—it’s all one word. I will see you there. Thank you, and good luck!
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