How to develop a story idea part 4

Welcome to Friday. Today will be the last post in this series on developing story ideas. Thank you for sticking it out to the end of these posts. If you're just joining in, you can catch up to the previous posts here:

https://www.writingforums.org/blog/corbyn.18335/

You've made it through this week; you deserve a pat on the back. Sometimes weeks are hard, so be sure to indulge in a little, go me time. But first, time to do some more work! I also must apologize as this will be a long post.

My last post was about free writing for the situation of your story. If you pulled out your trusty notebook, you should have a whole list of situations that might work for your novel, and after you finished that chore you were probably thinking, now what? Right? Now we're going to test whether or not our character, setting, and situation can support a full-length novel. We do that by plotting out the five major plot points for a novel using the ideas we've already formed. (DON'T PANIC!)

I know when I first tried this I was thinking, five plot points?!? How can I work through that with this measly little list of things? Relax, it's not as hard as it sounds. In fact, I'll give you examples along the way. Everyone loves examples right?

If you're not familiar with the five major plot points, I'll briefly go over what they entail, but will not be giving this a lot of in-depth discussions. If you'd like to see something like that, or have any other questions, comments or ideas that you'd like me to go over, please leave them below.

Our first plot point is the Inciting Incident: This is an unusual thing that happens that might pose a question to your character such as: Will you step into this world?

Example Shawshank Redemption: A new bus of fresh fish arrive at the prison. Andy Dufresne is on that bus having been convicted of the murder of his wife, and her lover. Red takes bets on which will break down and cry first. He bets cigarettes on Andy, but later that night when the inmates go "fishing" the head guard drags a newbie into the open area and beats him to death. Andy doesn't make a sound, thus costing Red two packs of cigarettes.

Go ahead and brainstorm this for your WIP. Don't worry; these plot points may change as you write. The whole goal is to see if the work we've done so far will support a novel. My WIP: Aisly Dalton is incarcerated for a small-time crime. She's approached her arresting officer to act as an informant for a case he's currently working. She refuses because, in prison, snitches get stitches, and Aisly is already having a tough enough time dealing with her reality. But this Detective offers Aisly something that's very hard to turn down, a chance to get out of jail sooner, rather than later. She's adamant that she can't help this Detective.

But Korbyn! She didn't say she would come into the story! How can this be your inciting incident?

Which brings me to the next plot point. The Lock In: The lock-in answers the question posed by your inciting incident. Will your character come into the story? This answer is always yes, it may be a begrudging yes, but it is always yes. This plot point typically happens at the end of your novels first act as well.

Example Shawshank Redemption: While tarring the prison roof, Andy overhears the head guard Hadley complain about taxes from an inheritance. Andy listens intently before finally getting up the courage to tell the guard that he can help him shelter the money so that the guard gets to keep more of it. He offers to set this up for three beers a piece for his "co-workers."

Again, don't worry when you brainstorm your lock-in. You already know that your character will be stepping into the story, and the exact points may change a bit as you sit down to write. My WIP: Upset about recent events in prison, and having realized that the person responsible for much of her troubles (a local coven leader) is not only not in jail, but thriving puts Aisly in a foul mood. She mouths off to the leader of a prison gang and is subsequently jumped- since hurt prisoners can't take work detail shifts she loses her privileges, and her life inside becomes more unbearable. She realizes she might not be able to finish out her time, and opts to take the deal offered to her by the Detective after an unpleasant conversation with the warden.

Third, we have the Midpoint Climax: This is the second biggest moment of your whole story. It's the big win for your hero. Or if you're writing a tragedy, it's your characters lowest low.

Example Shawshank Redemption: Andy receives book donations from the state. Inside he finds a Mozart record. He locks a guard in the restroom and plays the record over the PA system. Warden Norton arrives and is furious. He orders the head guard to break the door down and gives Andy two weeks in solitary for the stunt.

My WIP: Aisly turns up an important piece of evidence on the location of the magic user who's eluding the Detective. Because of this, she's allowed to sit in on the conversation between the Detective and her old coven leader(OCL). Because of this conversation, the OCL is forced to save face and aid the police in the investigation or risk admitting wrongdoing and face legal action. Which threatens to topple the power-hoarding the OCL has been doing to gain prominence in public. This is important because it's the first time Aisly feels empowered, in control of her life, and she gets to stick it to the man.

Hang in there; we're almost done! Take a break, stretch, eat a taco (feed your muse chocolate) whatever you need to do!

Next up, the Main Climax: This is sometimes called the Dark Night of the soul. It usually happens at the end of your second act. It's your characters lowest low, their most harrowing moment. If you're writing a tragedy, this is your characters highest high.

Example Shawshank Redemption: Andy realizes a fellow inmate, Tommy has information that could get him a new trial. Andy asks Warden Norton for help. The Warden tries to persuade Andy that it's just prison talk. Andy assures the Warden that he just wants a new fair trial and that he won't spill the beans about the Warden's money laundering. Norton throws Andy into solitary and has his head guard shoot Tommy, the only man capable of clearing Andy's name.

My WIP: Aisly receives a visit from OCL and is warned to stay out of coven business or else. OCL reminds Aisly that there are worse things than being locked in a cage. Aisly receives word from the Detective that her family has been in a horrible accident. Her mother has been hurt and is on life support. The injuries result in Aisly losing her mother, the one person she felt believed in her and was connected to.

Finally, the Third Act twist: This changes the tone of your set by the Dark night of the soul so that the story begins to mirror your midpoint climax. Also, it's worth mentioning at this point, your midpoint climax and third act twist usually hammer home your story theme as well.

Example Shawshank Redemption: Andy asks for rope. When Red finds out, he's concerned that Andy has finally lost it, and after nearly 20 years in prison, is going to hang himself. The next morning at roll call, Andy is gone. Norton is furious and orders the prison searched. As he's raging in Andy's cell, he throws a rock against a poster, revealing a man-sized hole in the wall.

My WIP: Aisly finds the missing magic user (MMU) before he can finish his ritual and slaughter two innocent girls. She's also able to link the MMU to the OCL. Because she's able to link the two, not only is she able to bring down the OCL but she's also able to receive vindication for a past tragedy.

Bonus tip: IF you haven't guessed it yet, as I mentioned before your midpoint climax and third act twist often hammer home whatever story theme you are going for. In my case, it's going to be sticking it to the man. My mc has spent most of her last few years of life as a doormat, and she's tired of it. But she doesn't want revenge, she wants justice, and maybe a little piece of mind. How did I come to this realization? By plugging my free writing into these plot points and seeing where it took me. The whole process took a few hours last night of brainstorming. But as you can see, my story idea COULD make a novel.

If you've been following along and stuck it out through this massive post, THANK YOU! You rock. I hope this helps you develop your ideas, and I hope now you're sitting there on the other side of your screen thinking, damn. I can write this.

As always, Happy writing!

-Corbyn