Plot Study The Writers Creed On my honor I will do my best to create havoc on every page and to leave neither peace nor happiness in my wake To cause problems at every opportunity To abuse characters I love always aspire to the worst and sleep unburdened at night ID: 512758
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Slide1
7 Basic Plots
Plot StudySlide2
The Writer’s Creed
On my honor, I will do my best to create havoc on every page and to leave neither peace nor happiness in my wake; To cause problems at every opportunity; To abuse characters I love, always aspire to the worst, and sleep unburdened at night.Slide3
What This Means
Keep characters in the dark
Betray characters
Be a troublemaker
Begrudge happiness
Take glee out of humiliation
Challenge characters’ beliefsSlide4
Create Trouble on Every Page
—
Clint JohnsonSlide5
Plot StructuresSlide6
The OneSlide7
Mountain Plot MapSlide8
Mountain Plot Map: FMAB ExampleSlide9
W-Plot Map
W
Trigger Event
Setting Up Problem
1
st
Turning Point
2
nd
Turning Point
Recovering from Problem
2
nd
Triggering Event
Resolving
Resolution
Deepening ProblemSlide10
W-Plot Map: FMAB Example
W
Loss of bodies
Search for Philosopher’s Stone
Find out stone uses human souls
Anti-transmutation circle
Search for alternate means; Eastern Alchemy
Nationwide transmutation
c
ircle
Promised Day
Get bodies back
Don’t know what to do; group is split upSlide11
ConflictsSlide12
Central Conflicts
Human vs. Human
Human vs. Nature
Human vs. God
Human vs. Society
Human vs. Himself
Human vs. Magic ForceSlide13
Subplots
Add interest
Develop minor characters
Make smaller points
Add to messageSlide14
Theme vs. Message
Theme
General principle of story
Can apply to anything
Message
Example of theme in action
Specific to storySlide15
Theme vs. Message
Example: FMAB
Theme: One is all, all is one (i.e., everything has a place and is connected)
Message: One cannot rise above his/her placeSlide16
7 Plot TypesSlide17
BasicsSlide18
The Quest
Protagonist & Co. acquire important object or get to a location, facing many obstacles along the way.Slide19
The Quest
Examples:
Lord of the Rings
One Piece
Legend of Zelda
Fullmetal
Alchemist (beginning)Slide20
Overcoming the Monster
Protagonist sets out to challenge the antagonistic force that threatens him/her and/or his/her homeland.Slide21
Overcoming the Monster
Examples:
Perseus
Fullmetal
Alchemist
Fate/Stay Night
Avatar: the Last
AirbenderSlide22
Voyage and Return
Protagonist goes to a strange land, faces obstacles, and returns with nothing but experience.Slide23
Voyage and Return
Examples:
Alice in Wonderland
Odyssey
Spirited Away
The HobbitSlide24
Rags to Riches
Protagonist gains power, wealth, etc., loses it all, and gains it back upon growing as a person.Slide25
Rags to Riches
Examples:
Cinderella
Axis Powers:
Hetalia
(Liechtenstein)
Magi: Kingdom of Magic (
Alibaba
)Slide26
Comedy
Light hearted story with a cheerful ending.Slide27
Comedy
Examples:
Baka
and Test
Twelfth Night
Midsummer Night’s Dream
Ouran
Highschool
Host ClubSlide28
Tragedy
Protagonist is a villain who falls from grace and whose death is a celebrated event.Slide29
Tragedy
Examples:
Death Note
Macbeth
Hamlet
Julius Caesar Slide30
Rebirth
During the story, events and obstacles force the main character to change his/her ways, often for the better.Slide31
Rebirth
Examples:
Despicable Me
A Christmas Carol
Megamind
The Grinch Who Stole ChristmasSlide32
Now YOU Try I
t!
…Using the following tips. Believe in yourself.Slide33
Basic Classic StructureSlide34
Creating One: Exposition
Set stage
Meet main character(s)
Background info
Inciting incident/problem arisesSlide35
Creating One: Rising Action
Main character(s) are off on journey
Begin to solve/deal with problem
Possibly subplot time
Maybe splash around a bitSlide36
Creating One: Challenge 1
Find out that problem is not actually the issue
Maybe fight something/encounter immediate issue
Usually lose battle/barely come outSlide37
Creating One: More Rising Action
Recover from Challenge 1
Go on to continue to fix problem/real issue
Pick up new companion
More subplot time
Prepare for climaxSlide38
Creating One: Challenge 2
Characters may or may not be anticipating
Can arise from subplot/plot twist
OptionalSlide39
Creating One: Climax
Final fight/showdown
Characters usually must give it their all
Usually beat villain/main conflictSlide40
Creating One: The Eagles
Usually called Resolution
May also have “Elixir” before/after
All loose ends are tied up
Everyone is happy (unless it’s a dark story)Slide41
Classify
In the space provided, classify favorite anime plot as one of the seven plot types covered.
In the other spaces, identify the plot’s theme and message
Sketch a basic plot map in the space providedSlide42
Links
More plot type info:
http://www.how-to-write-a-book-now.com/seven-basic-plots.html
Subplot info:
http://allwritefictionadvice.blogspot.com/2011/01/subplots.html
More detailed subplot info:
http://www.writersdigest.com/online-editor/7-ways-to-add-great-subplots-to-your-
novel
Complete plot/story tips:
http://www.aaronshep.com/youngauthor/
elements.html
Planning a plot in 8 steps:
http://www.how-to-write-a-book-now.com/plot-
outline.html
Plot twist help:
http://www.writersdigest.com/editor-blogs/there-are-no-rules/4-ways-to-write-a-killer-plot-
twist
Theme vs. Message:
http://www.bobmoran.com/1035/the-difference-between-theme-and-
message
Writer’s Creed
http://www.clintjohnsonwrites.com/the-writers-
creed.html