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How do you give your romance novel intensity and keep the reader turning the pages? Editorial Assistant Farah Chowdhury breaks down the basics of plot.
Farah Chowdhury @seefaraway
What is a plot? Plot in its most basic form is a series of linked events that take place – it is the stuff that stories are made of. Without it your story would just be one very long, uneventful exercise. But don’t be fooled – simply having a story consisting of linked events isn’t enough – there are so many other things to think about. Here are our top three things to keep in mind when you’re thinking about how to make the most of your plot!
1. Conflict will help us learn about your hero and heroine. First and foremost, conflict is vital – it’s what makes your characters three-dimensional and gives them a clear journey to go on over the course of the story. What obstacles do your hero and heroine need to overcome before they can be with each other? What events will allow you to show their growth? Including scenes that allow characters to explore and confront their internal conflicts will allow readers to be a part of the hero and heroine’s journey, add depth to your plot and help readers to invest and believe in the characters you have created.
2. Drama, drama, drama – keep us on the edge of our seats! So you’ve got the conflict sorted out in your plot which is great, but we love to keep readers guessing about what might happen next. A fantastic way to do this is by checking that with each scene in your story, something changes for your characters and for the romance between them. We want to see that with every interaction, the stakes have been raised somehow. These developments don’t have to be life-changing and dramatic every time – but they should all lead up to, yes, the dreaded . . . black moment! This is where the hero and heroine’s conflicts culminate in a sensational, heart-stopping scene that causes the reader to question how on earth the couple will make it to the other side – together and stronger than ever! You want your story to pack a punch and keep readers excited and a dramatic black moment will do just that! Think of the big confrontation in How to Lose a Guy in 10 days between Kate Hudson and Matthew McConaughey
when they both realise they were being used!
It makes the hero and heroine question whether any of the moments they shared together were true, and has us wishing and hoping they’ll both come to their senses before Kate leaves!
3. No soggy middles—pace yourself! Keep in mind that you want the conflict and drama of your story to sustain the length of your plot. There’s nothing worse than having an incredible opening, only for the excitement to plateau or worse—no soggy middles please! This is why it is so important to pace yourself. When you’re thinking about your plot think less “reaching the top of the hill” and more “riding a roller coaster.”
Your plot should take the reader on a journey of highs and lows, through a multitude of scenarios, revelations and emotions. The road to your hero and heroine’s happy ending should never be straightforward. If your story is full of intense and unique experiences you’ll give the reader a golden ticket to your story’s romance roller coaster, and you’ll provide them with a plot which keeps them turning the pages, trying to guess what could happen next and falling in love with the world you’ve created.
Think of the plot as the heartbeat of your story. Sometimes it skips a beat, at times it might flutter. There’ll be times when it feels like it might explode and others when it’s going at a hundred miles an hour. Or it might just be there, rhythmically beating away, getting faster and faster, then slowing down again. Whatever your plot is doing, make sure it keeps going. It’s what keeps your story alive and makes us believe in your hero and heroine and the romance they share! Happy writing!
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