The Plot
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The plot is the backbone of the story. This is what determines whether your characters die or live, succeed or fail, and are enemies or friends. Here are five rules to a good plot.
1. HAVE A CONFLICT.
-No conflict means no problems. That's not only unrealistic, it's boring. No problems means no story. Every story has to have a problem for it to be interesting.
2. DEVELOP CHARACTERS.
-Without characters, your story isn't a story. Characters act out the plot, and add drama and emotion. Without characters, your book is boring, dusty, and dry of feeling.
3. HAVE SOME TWISTS AND TURNS.
-Putting a catch to your plot is what grips readers. Adding a twist or a sudden turn is what keeps them reading. Be sure that your book has plenty of all three.
4. HAVE AN EXCITING CLIMAX.
-At some point, the story reaches an exciting peak. This can be an emotional or mental climax, when the main character makes a decision, or it can be a physical one- like an important battle or war that is won.
5. RESOLVE THE CONFLICT.
-Unresolved conflict is like an itch you can't reach. It bugs you. And it doesn't make for a very good book. People hate to see problems that aren't resolved. Be sure you resolve your problems satisfactorily.
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