Tuesday's Writer's Tip -Plot and the scenes following the Opening Scene #BWLAuthor #MFRWAuthor #Writing #Scenes

 When writing a novel rather than a short story, the author has some leeway when developing the scenes following the opening scene. If they're going to have more than one viewpoint, the first scene or scenes after the opening scene can be done in other viewpoints. The first few scenes following the opening salvo must do several things. Develop the plot line, give the reader needed information and to develop the characters. They must provide enough to pull the reader onto the next and then the next chapter.

Remember the story is an adventure that leads the characters on a journey toward their goal. All the scenes need to have this lead to the next and the next. There are certain stages in the development of the story. Each scene may have a problem that relates to the final scene. Problems that must be solved before the characters can move on. You are building toward the final crisis by slow stages and each stage must be fully developed.

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Tuesday's Inspiration - Problems in Novels

"Problems in novels, unlike problems in algebra, have more than one solution." John Gardner from On Becoming A Novelist.

When I first read this my forehead wrinkled in thought. Then something hit me. This statement was so true. I started to look at one problem and started to look at possible solutions. Some were good, some so so and some didn't fit. What they didn't fit was the character as I imagined the character to be. I thought of a problem that could be the foundation for a novel. Mary discovers John has been cheating on her. Happens a lot. Now what were some possible solutions.

Mary can walk away from John and never see him again.
Mary can make his life miserable.
Mary can act against the other woman.
Mary can act against John.

There are probably more solutions to this problem or twists to the solutions I've imagined. The trick is to examine the characters and to see what action in solving the problem works for that character. There is a potential for many stories but only one that will work for the characters.

If Mary chooses the first solution, this could lead her in a different direction in life and to a totally new story. Choosing the second of the solution could be a really dark story and Mary could end up being eliminated. Selecting the third possibility could be s strong story. The fourth can be an interesting story. Or the solution to Mary's problem could be something totally different.

So when plotting your story, think of the possible solutions to the main problem and also look at how the minor problems have been solved and give it a twist if you can find one.