There are few things more devastating for a reader than to begin a book with deep and relatable characters, an inventive and fascinating world … and no real plot to speak of. Back when I used to read manuscripts for a literary scouting firm, I abandoned countless otherwise quality manuscripts after fifty pages because nothing of consequence had happened thus far.
Having a dynamic plot is one of the most important aspects of writing a good book. No matter how skillfully you create your characters and setting, no one will care if they aren’t hooked by an intriguing plot.
As someone who has written two published manuscripts and a heap of completed drafts, as well as ghostwritten two novels and five novellas, I have learned a few tips and tricks about the best ways to build an exciting plot for your novel.
Here are some tips on how to create a dynamic plot.
Brainstorm
You may think that if you already have the idea for your novel, you don’t have to brainstorm. But no matter how great you think your idea is, it’s probably not fleshed out enough. You need to make sure that this idea can carry the weight of a whole book on its back.
One way to make sure your idea has legs is to write it down and forget about it for a while. Then come back to it, read over it, and decide if you really think you could draw an effective plot out of this idea. If you have doubts, put the idea away again and come back to it later, when you might have some fresh insight to help you expand on the idea.
For more tips on brainstorming your idea for your novel, click here.
Outline
When it comes to planning your novel, there are two types of writers—plotters and pantsers. Plotters write out meticulous outlines before they begin writing, while pantsers fly by the seats of their pants and charge forward into the unknown without any plan whatsoever. There is certainly something romantic about the idea of being a pantser, and it seems like a far easier way of going about things.
I, however, am definitely a plotter. I not only write an overarching outline for each book I write, but batches of chapter outlines as well as I write. I also think that even if you identify as a pantser, it’s worth trying to write out an outline before you begin. You may find yourself grateful for the roadmap you created when you run into a narrative wall. Outlines will also help your plot stay on track and, therefore, engaging to the reader.
Here is a blog post by my fellow staff writer Heather on outlining that includes links to several helpful templates. And here is the first post in my “Inception to Completion” series on the process of writing a novel from start to finish, which covers my own odd but effective (for me, at least) way of outlining my books.
Establish the Status Quo
One thing to think about as you get ready to start actually writing the book is the status quo. Stories generally start out with the status quo, then an inciting incident changes the protagonist’s life and sets them off on some sort of journey.
You should have a clear idea of the status quo of your protagonist’s world when the novel starts. Does your protagonist live with their family or on their own? Are they in a city or the country? How are your protagonist’s relationships with the people closest to them?
If you present a status quo that feels real and compelling, the inciting incident will pack more of a punch and make readers want to read more.
Create a Clear Central Conflict
Before you start writing your book, one thing to figure out is your central conflict. Think of your favorite books and you will find that each includes a clear central conflict between the novel’s protagonist and its villain. The Harry Potter series revolves around the conflict between Harry and the villainous Voldermort, and the Hunger Games books have Katniss Everdeen’s battle against her dystopian society. Henry in The Time Traveler’s Wife must contend with the unpredictable nature of his ability to time travel.
As The Hunger Games and The Time Traveler’s Wife show, your villain doesn’t need to be an actual person. It can be society, or an illness, or any number of things. No matter what sort of book you’re writing, there needs to be some sort of opposing force your protagonist is working against.
If you’re not able to point to a central conflict in your novel, it’s time to go back to the drawing board. Just like with your premise, you may want to write down an idea for a central conflict and come back to it later.
Think About Your Characters’ Motivations
Another pivotal part of your story you must think about as you plot your novel is your characters’ motivations. Their motivations are what cause them to act, and behave the way they do throughout the book.
The most important character’s motivation of all is that of your protagonist. As a way to start considering their motivation, you can try writing out a character sketch, or biography, for them. Who are their friends/family? What events in their past will inform their actions in the story? What are their goals in life? Once you have an idea of your protagonist’s motivation, you can write out character sketches for your secondary characters as well. This will help to flesh out your characters and engage your readers in the events of the plot.
Click here to read Heather’s article all about characters’ motivations.
Build Subplots
As I’m sure you’ll have noticed about your favorite books, there is a lot more going on than just the central plot. There are romantic entanglements, mysteries, and various journeys the characters take. A plot would get pretty boring, after all, if it simply centered around one conflict. Subplots help us get to know the characters and they flesh the plot out.
One important aspect of subplots is that they need to have some effect on the protagonist’s ability to achieve their goals. You can’t just write subplots for the fun of having some side adventures that don’t have an effect on the main plot. Subplots need to move the main plot forward in some way or another, or else they should be revised or cut.
Subplots are like a spice you can add to make your story richer and more interesting. Just be careful that they are doing something to affect your main character’s goals and the main plot.
Tie Up Loose Ends
Once you’ve finally gotten going with your writing and are nearing the end of the novel, here’s another very important tip: Tie up loose ends. I don’t know how many otherwise excellent books I’ve read that failed to fill up plot holes in the end and left loose ends hanging. It really puts a damper on the whole reading experience.
You should strive to be better than those writers with their leaky plot holes and hanging threads. Keep track of every element of your plot and make sure it’s neatly resolved by the end. Your readers will thank you for giving them a satisfying ending.
The one exception to this would be if you are writing a series, where you in fact need to leave certain questions unanswered at the end of a book. But you should still be sure how those loose ends are going to be tied up in future books.
An exciting plot really is one of the most important parts of a good novel—if not the most important part. I hope these tips will help you to keep your plots dynamic and your readers engaged and satisfied!
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