Cupcakes and Writing: Coffee

Coffee: Plot

According to GanoCup.com, coffee has become the second most popular drink in the world (after water of course).  They state that over 400 billions cups are consumed every year, making the coffee industry valued at 80 billion dollars.  And so, it should only follow that the world’s favorite drink should be transformed into cupcake form.  Now, I’ll admit, I’ve never had a coffee flavored cupcake, but I know they exist.  And if you were to hand me one, I'd gladly try it.  I’d imagine they taste like a Starbucks—the bitter smell of coffee, sweet smell of sauces and sugars emanating from the little cakes.  

And just like I go to a Starbucks to meet a friend or get some reading or writing done, people get their coffee to help them as they scurry around crossing things off their to-do lists.  Just as a coffee lover wants/needs their caffeine to keep them going throughout their busy day, so a good story needs an intriguing plot.

Whether you're participating in NaNoWriMo this year or not (I am for the fourth time and have yet to 'win') plot is something that is foundational to any story.  My first manuscript I ever wrote was a flop simply because it was so character-driven and had very little plot.  Not that characters aren't important, but if you want your readers to care about your characters, you have to give them a story they care to sit through.  And our goal shouldn't just be that our readers sit through our book, but that they're at the edge of their seats, turning those pages, rooting for those characters, "just one more chapter" kind of sitting through our books.

I have yet to learn the secret to developing a great plot.  I've read lots of helpful books, but I'm still not there.  I'm more of a 1) get the story out there, 2) think about it a looooong time, then 3)  revise it so the plot is more suspenseful.  And repeat steps two and three a gazillion times.  

I've learned a few tricks.  Such as make sure the inciting event occurs in the first chapter.  End each chapter with a cliffhanger. Each chapter should contain some kind of conflict.  Make sure there is something at risk for the main character and that they have strong motivation.  Start strong with a great hook.  

I wish I had the secret to developing a great plot.  Just as I wish a delicious frappe would plop in front of me anytime I sit down to write or read or surf the internet.  Or that I had a coffee flavored cupcake to try.

I'll just have to settle with learning new tricks for developing a stronger story.  Just like I make my own frappachinos.  But man, those things taste amazing when you have to blend all those ingredients together yourself.  You appreciate them a little bit more.

Hey readers and writers, what do you think makes a great plot?

Writers, what tricks do you have for developing a strong, intriguing plot?

And anyone else doing NaNo this year?

Building a Page Turner

I'm still in those revising stages.  And I must admit, I used to hate revising.  It used to be a necessary evil.  But now, I'm enjoying the process.  It's like my manuscript is a little piece of dirt in a shell and every time I cut and change entire scenes I'm adding a layer of polish and shine.  And each revision is leading me closer and closer to that finished pearl.  Yes, sometimes it's dull, but sometimes it's very exciting to see the story get molded into a better, shinier, more intriguing story.

I've learned a lot about the craft of storytelling through the revision process.  I've got to raise the stakes, make the story more intriguing.  Here's what I've learned:

1. Build up the conflict.  There should be conflict in every chapter.  It could be teeny tiny, like a moment of self doubt within the hero.  Or ginormo, like when the hero finally confronts the villain.  But there must be continual conflict to keep the story going.  My rough draft only had a few conflicts.  With the climax being the biggest one and boy was it lame.  Up the stakes, Jenn!  Up the stakes!
2. Build up the character.  Who wants to read a story if they don't like a character?  I've realized I didn't fully understand a character's motivation in my first draft.  But by understanding where they're coming from and making that clear, wow does that change the story!  And this part is hard, but I've had to build up my characters by not being so nice to them.  I mean, I love these characters, I created them.  But if nothing bad happens to them, they don't grow and change and it's rather boring.  So I had to consider, what is my character's worst fear?  And then BAM!  I have to make it happen.  Or at least the threat of it happen.  Hard to do but so worth it for the story's sake.  And the characters. ;)
3. Build up the pacing.  And I do that through building up the conflict and building up the character and balancing that with describing everything.  It's all about balance while moving forward.  Hard to explain but super important if you want a compelling story.  Which is what I'm trying to write.  

Sometimes I feel like I'll be writing this story forever.  That it'll be months before it's completely done.  But I'm learning so much in the process and trying to soak in the journey as I go.  My goal of being done with revisions by September doesn't seem likely, but I have no problem changing it.  Because I'm working toward my final goal, which is a completed, compelling story.

So my measurable goal for the remainder of August?  To revise at least 20 minutes a day.  And to enjoy the revising journey.  :)