Here’s another great insight from the UK’s “New Voices” competition a few years ago.
Characters Behaving Badly…
Acting out of character for the sake of the plot is a no-no. If your characters start bending every which way just to reach your desired conclusion then you are writing puppets, not people. Individual motivations and reactions are key – if these are not believable then your story won’t work. Remember how annoying it is when your favourite characters start acting crazy?
Just remember, never EVER let the plot get in the way of the romance – change the plot, not your characters!
Next let’s deal with the back stage/front stage struggle…
When To Show, and When To Tell?
Events that should be front stage are anything that moves on the romance or creates conflict and has its basis in emotion. Anything else is window dressing – watch that it doesn’t start blocking the view.
Ah hah! I hear you say – what about back story? The thing is, the most powerful back story is the one the reader sees through your characters’ reactions. Ask yourself how your characters’ story can be brought in through dialogue or their natural responses to situations and woven in to the story. If you are portraying your characters with enough sensitivity, subtlety and detail, we should get a sense of their back story before knowing any of the details.
How To Grab Them at Goodbye!
Plot devices have no place in your final crisis. Think about the most powerful endings you’ve seen or read – they’re all about the emotional turmoil, not the action. In Bridges of Madison County there’s actually negative action in that final moment – Meryl Streep doesn’t get out the car! If you find yourself inserting a plot complication, involving a secondary character or an elementary misunderstanding, ask yourself – does your story need it? Can it be an emotionally black moment without the physical drama?
So folks, there we have them. The Pitfalls of Plotting. Whether putting pen to paper or finger to keyboard, keep in mind these all-important points:
- Choose your set-up carefully
- Make sure your characters are driving the plot
- The reader is interested in reaction not action
- Know what plot needs to be on the page
- Your reader will go with any plot if they believe in your characters
- The characters are going on a journey – think of the plot as the road not the destination!
Still perfect advice, isn’t it? Find more writing tips and insights by following the various editors on Twitter or on the Harlequin Community Forums!
2 replies on “Harlequin Editors Say Avoid Plotting Pitfalls!”
Thanks for another article with great writing tips. Consider plot as window dressing, and let the emotions of the romance take center stage – that concept really changes the way I think about my story. Thanks!
And of course always remember that you’ve got to work your own writing style into these tips! Writing is certainly not a one size fits all in any stage of the process.
But we’re glad these tips give you a new way of looking at your goals.
So get busy! 🙂
Comments ( 7 )
I spent the entire shutdown working. Had no time to wind down. I didn’t see my son much when school shutdown. My one co worker was told to stay home for 3 weeks so I picked up her hours. This year has been really crappy.
Ugh, Janell. Here’s hoping the rest of your summer is better.
Thanks for the info, Carol! Everyone is different in how they deal with the shutdown! I stay at home all the time since I don’t work so I haven’t been too effected but my shopping and errands sure have been effected!
Valri, I’ve been doing most of my shopping online. My local Target is still low on some items – mostly cleaning supplies. Grocery store is pretty much back to normal. Most of the dining in our town is outdoor. I can’t imagine have school-age kids!
Wow–getting your creative process on track must have been daunting–especially with “extra-large dog” glad to have you home. You don’t like coffee–I love coffee and have enjoyed my fortifying 2 cups in the morning even more than usual! How as COVID affected your story lines and characterizations? Best Wishes for all releases!
Interesting question, Virginia. You’ll have to tell me if the tone of my “COVID” books changed any! LOL
Life has changed so much! My dad passed Feb 2. The assisted living facility my folks were at went into hardcore lockdown the beginning of March. Mom couldn’t leave her apartment for 4 months! She was on the third floor, Will be 89 in two months & doesn’t use the phone. My husband and I remodeled the lower level completely and moved her in with us July 1. What a life change and difficult transition for the 3 of us! But we’re working thru it!