Writing Tips: Part 2: Section B

Writing Tips
Part 2: Plot and/or idea
Section B: What a plot is and plot structure

Warning: What I say will be, on some topics, slightly biased. I will try not to be but all writers see things differently so some people may agree with me and some may not.

Today I will be talking about what a plot is and how to craft one.
A plot is basically 'What Happens in a Story.' It's what the bulk of a book; the plot can be about a huge interplanetary war or it could be about someone moving to a new school- there are so many possibilities to explore. And remember that sometimes figuring out the perfect plot can take years to figure out; your story will change many times as you mature and as you think of new ideas and discard old ones.
Once you have your main idea, you need to figure out how the story will flow- how will it flow, what will happen at the beginning and end, what will happen at the end. If you are a new author or you are starting a new series, figuring out how your story will go can be hard to figure out. Luckily, there is a formula that should help you get started on your plot structure. Also, plot structure varries with what you are writing- like whether your are writing a single book or a series novels.
The first part of the plot graph is exposition- in other words, the beginning. The beginning of a story should set up the major character(s) and how they live prior to the story. Stories can begin in many ways- some begin slowly and introduce you to the characters and others plunge head-first into the action. Both techniques work; it depends on what sort of story you want to write. Remember, your beginning should intrigue the reader but don't worry about that too much- the most important thing for know is to figure out how you want to begin the story.
Once you have established your characters and their situation, your begin what is called 'Rising Action.' Rising Action is the build up to the main point of the entire story- most of the story is rising action in all actuality and it is important to spend just the right amount of time here- try not to add too much filler or gloss over things too much.
The next part of a plot is the climax-which is the epitome of the novel. The climax is what the story has been building towards the whole time. Climaxes can be very hard to write and can be different depending on whether or not your writing a stand alone or a series. If you are writing a stand alone novel this climax should be the biggest part of the story and it should resolve the conflict. When writing a series, however, the climax can be big, but it shouldn't completely end the conflict; especially if you want to continue with the same thread throughout the whole story.
The last part of a story is the 'Resolution.' The resolution is where everything comes to together, the action winds down, and the characters start learning to live with the changes that have taken place. If your story is just one book than make sure you tie up any loose ends and bring the story to a close. However, if it is a series, leave an opening for the next book or end with a cliffhanger (unless it is the last book in the series, then you can just finish it..unless you are going to continue with the characters in another series >:D)
So that is all for now. If you have any questions feel free to ask.
Till next time!
May the Force be with you!
Shena Tokala(Maegen).