In a guest post on Jane Friedman’s blog, Heather Davis says that writers often focus on plot points to the detriment of story. “In the world of great novels, Plot and Story are very different entities, and every great novel needs both,” she writes.
Plot refers to the external events in your story: the inciting event, conflicts, coincidences, and twists. In contrast, story is the internal change your character must experience in order to become a more perfect version of themselves. Usually, the story happens as the character is changed by the events of the plot. Story without plot can be boring, and plot without story meaningless.
Davis suggests seven steps for ensuring your plot has a story:
- Design a clear character arc for your protagonist. Identify their flaw and how they will change.
- Create a compelling backstory. Interesting backstory helps your reader make sense of your character’s journey.
- Make that character arc clear from the beginning of the novel. Show that flaw – and its impact on your character’s life – from the start.
- Test your plot points to ensure they relate to the story. “In essence, plot points exist to make your protagonist walk the trajectory of the character arc you have designed,” Davis says. “So, if your protagonist’s character arc is cowardly to brave, then each plot point should relate back to that idea.”
- Eliminate plot points that fail the test. Cut scenes that don’t support your character’s arc, or strengthen them so that they do.
- Ensure your hero’s internal change is slow and subtle. Don’t beat your readers over the head with your character’s life lessons and don’t let them change overnight. Use your plot to force them to change.
- Show your hero’s change. Remind your readers of the flaw you introduced on page one and show them how your protagonist has improved.
