By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Plot is defined as the series of events in your story. It’s also called the storyline. While that may sound simple, mastering plot takes time, imagination, and knowing our characters inside and out. A storyline is filled with action and chronologically propels the story forward.

Today’s blog is Part I of 3 in showing the writer how to plot.

In a successful story, a writer has three feats to achieve, and all are about satisfying the reader.

1. The reader must admire the unpredictability of the twists and turns of plot.
2. The reader must value the character’s determination and uniqueness.
3. The reader must never forget the story adventure, often placing themselves in the character’s shoes.

Mastering Plot begins with exceptional characterization.

A writer shoves aside a cardboard character to develop a a hero or heroine who embraces strength to solve a problem or reach a goal. Along the way, the character changes and grows by overcoming an inner flaw. A plot rises out of the character’s strengths and weaknesses, wants, and needs, and dreams and desires. The motivation is the fuel behind the character’s actions. The problem or goal is evident in every breath. Characters drive the story. Unleash them onto the page in an organic journey. Listen to their needs and watch their actions. How a character responds to life’s ups and downs shows the real, inner self.

The character bursts forth onto the page in chapter one and carries the story through one exciting scene to the next, building to a climax and resolution, resulting in a dynamic plot. But that objective is impossible unless the writer first understands mastering plot begins with characterization and weaves dialogue, setting, emotion, and symbolism into the storyline. Every aspect is entwined.

A writer looks at the concept of the story, the character, and all the other parts of story to create stress, tension, and conflict. Blend emotions into the mix, especially emotions striving for prominence, and the reader keeps turning pages.

Establish the story problem or goal. Write it down.

Are there specific scenes that roll around in your head, the must-haves in the story? Write them down. These don’t need to be chronological at this point.

Now write a paragraph about your story as you see it now. Not an outline, because not all of us plot the same way. This is a story idea. The art of creating story means the writer can change anything as often as necessary until the story is completed in a way that shows only your character could have made the impossible journey.

The challenge! What makes your character unique to your plot?

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards; and been finalists for the RITA, Daphne Du Maurier, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests. Firewall, the first book in her Houston: FBI series, was listed by Library Journal as one of the best Christian Fiction books of 2014.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, a member of Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Suspense Sister, and International Thriller Writers. She is co-director of The Blue Ridge Mountain Christian Writers Conference with social media specialist Edie Melson. She teaches writing workshops around the country. DiAnn is active online and would love to connect with readers on any of the social media platforms listed at http://www.diannmills.com