Before creating a plot line for a book, an author needs to know who the characters are and what the setting of the story is. Setting and plot should go hand in hand. Likewise, the author should know the audience of the book, as not only the characters, but the readers experience the plot. Important plot elements include genre, setting and plot details.
Selecting a Genre
Stories can include a myriad of themes, but as they tend to fall mostly into one or two genres, selecting plot for a story involves a particular genre. Different genres have certain literary conventions that define that genre. Authors may use artistic freedom and not follow these conventions strictly. It is good, however, to know what they are. A little research is valuable in understanding literary genres, like looking back to what you learned in school. This research can be as simple as reading other stories in the category for which you are interested in writing and taking note of the similar themes that appear. Take note also of similar surroundings, as it is important for the setting to complement the plot-line.
Fitting the Setting
For the story to take place, it will need a suitable setting. If the setting is good for the characters and you are happy with it, it’s okay to allow the setting to influence the story-line. On the other hand, if the story-line is well-grounded and the chosen setting is not as appropriate for the plot as it could be, change the setting to mould it around the story. When setting and plot work together, the story is that much more credible. And when the setting is suitable, the story can easily move forward.
Lights, Camera... Action?
It may be superfluous to say that the definition of a plot for a novel (according to the Oxford Canadian Dictionary) is a plan or outline of the main events: in other words, the action. Something needs to happen in your story to make it worth writing about. If you create characters and put them in an appropriate setting, they’ll need a good reason to be there. Consider this when writing a plot line.
Not every story needs action the way the term is understood – as in the category given to films with car races, guns, loud noise, etcetera. Depending on the genre of the story, the action could be anywhere from, for instance, the mystery of the missing Mona Lisa to a shy child making a friend at her new school. Whatever the case, it is important to know your audience, as it will help you create a plot that is engaging and gives readers reason to finish the story.
Play with your artistic freedom when it comes to creating plot, but feel free to consider these ideas for story plots and allow them to help you. For more ideas, you may also refer to How to Create a Character and How to Create a Setting.
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