The Journey of a (Great) Story

There are some novelists that  who just sit down and write. Others may choose a more structured approach preferring to outline and plot the entire book before actually writing it. I have to admit that I fall somewhere between the two.

I tend to be a very organized person. I want to know all the twists and turns and the outcome of a situation. Spur-of-the-moment decisions are not something I’m typically comfortable with.

On the other hand, when I write, I sometimes tend to be a fly by the seat of my pants kind of gal. I have a story in mind and usually know where I want it to go. I use character sketches, graphs, charts, (and yes, even sticky notes) to harness my thoughts. I plot to a degree and I jot out scenes (*gasp*) on big, yellow legal pads when inspiration strikes and I’m not at my keyboard.

Sometimes, my stories take a completely different path from what I’d originally intended. Those are the goosebump moments where I realize that there is someone else in charge at the helm and it’s certainly not me. Since I’m a Christian, I recognize those times as God-inspired and Holy Spirit-driven.

There are literally thousands of resources available to writers to assist with story-crafting. When I initially began writing years ago, I didn’t use any of them. I wrote how it “felt right.” I didn’t know what it was called other than the beginning (the situation), the middle (a complication), and the end (a resolution), thus setting the stage for conflict–a story.

As I matured in my writing I realized that there were certain elements that separated the “good” stories from the “great” ones. I didn’t want to write the ho-hum kinds of novels that one could easily take or leave. (And of course, with today’s publishing trends and economic downturn, the ho-hums probably won’t survive the first yawn if a manuscript doesn’t grab an agent/editor within the first 100 words.)

Many authors use various methods, but it’s crucial that a great story utilize key stages.  I use the plot diagram by German novelist/playwright Gustav Freytag. The plot’s design is based on an isosceles triangle. (Each element progresses toward the next with the climax being the pivotal point at the top of the triangle.)

Here’s the order of progression:

• Situation (Set-up. Relationships. Initial conflict.)
• Complication (The plot thickens. Tension increases.)
• Climax (A crisis. Revelation. Recognition.)
• Denouement (Cute word for “showdown.”)
• Resolution (Stability with change.)

Since I write Christian romance, the change is always for the better.

It’s been suggested that the first quarter of a novel be dedicated to the opening situation/presentation, the complication/plot thickening the second and third quarters, and the resolution with depiction of change the last quarter. Some authors follow this to the letter; some don’t. Seasoned novelists who have gained a following with a particular style may do it differently. (For new authors trying to break in, I’d recommend adhering to the tried and true format as closely as possible.)

There are times when it’s okay to break a few rules.  And then again, there are times when breaking rules only paint authors as amateurs.  

Prior to  signing with my literary agent we discussed many things, but more importantly, we talked about my stories and what direction I saw my novels taking. Our ideas meshed. Our thoughts were in sync. I’m sure if I’d said “Well, I believe I’ll shake it up a bit and throw caution to the wind with future endeavors” that might have nixed any future conversations.

“Good” stories might temporarily give us that warm, fuzzy feeling, kind of  like a flannel sheet. “Great” stories are the bedspreads, quilts, and comforters where we’d like to linger all winter long.

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What do you feel are trademarks of a great story? As an author are you ever tempted to “break the rules?”