Workshop: An Introduction to Writing for Children and Young Adults
“Plot is an arrangement of events, an ordering of raw life.”
Ronald
B. Tobias
Tobias sees plot as a process and not an
object, but does note that there are many patterns that grow out of the
process.
According to Tobias there are plots of the
body (forza) or plots of the mind (forda).
Is it an action story, an adventure that
relies on doing? Or does your story deal more with the inner workings of
character and human nature?
The mechanics of the story is shaped by which
plot is chosen. Plot driven, or character driven? Patterns of action, or
patterns of behavior?
Often genre fiction will have a straight
line, no flashbacks, limited sub-plots, whereas mainstream has multiple plot,
complications and sub-plots, and may use flashbacks.
There are several opinions as to how many
plot patterns there are and how they can be interpreted. The very basic two are considered to be
‘hero/heroine leaves town’ or ‘a stranger comes to town’.
Tobias has an outline for both 20 Master Plots and 36 Plot Patterns.
Victoria Lynn Schmidt, Ph.D, lists 5 Dramatic Throughlines, 6 Conflicts, and 21
Genres in her book Story Structure
architect. From that foundation she develops 55 Dramatic Situations.
Regardless of what style pattern you choose
there are four basic characteristics that each requires according to Tobias.
1.
Study the pattern that best suits
your story
2.
Determine what the dramatic
phases of the pattern are (usually three or four)
3.
Translate each dramatic phase of
the pattern into an action.
4.
Begin the scene as late possible.
Below are some examples that Schmidt gives
for a character succeeds Throughline.
Action Steps:
1.
Choose
two different ways for your character from the list below.
2.
By
what means do they use to accomplish their goal?
1.
Problem>Solution
2.
Conflict>Peace
3.
Danger>Safety
4.
Question>Answer
Share: Which one do you prefer and why?
Read deep, marcy
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