"How do I come up with a plot for my novel?" |

[@AemirDillard]

Reading all the comments about how this video came at the perfect time is hilarious. . . especially considering I've been developing the external setting/plot of my novel.

[@amarachioleka]

Me too, am also outlining a new one and trying to come up with a good plot for it

[@hinaazille8239]

@@amarachioleka Me too

[@thehangingparsiple5692]

Me too

[@kristinabliss]

Me too.

[@sanoj7130]

What's your book about?

[@Crimson_Mushroom]

I always have a *huge* list of characters in my mind, and *sometimes* a few ideas for only some parts, like two fall in love or something, or they get trapped somewhere, for example. But never an entire story plot, so thank you for this!

[@AdreixDuncan]

Same😂😅🥲😢😓😭

[@eallae]

Same ! I have a general ideas but lately I struggle to put together an entire coherent plot somehow 😢

[@floorcollapsing]

@@eallae Because plot needs to come first, characters spawn out of a greater theme.

[@_-drowsy-_]

I have the same exact issue! Like I have 50 different characters that I have like a VAUGE plot for that sucks ass but the character is so fleshed out

[@BloomingRose438]

Bro… how is it so ironic that I’ve literally been crying over how I can’t think of a plot and next thing I know Abbie uploads a video with this title THANK YOU 🙏 😇

[@alextheartist3754]

I've watched MANY videos on writing over the past 2 years, and Abbie's channel is literally the only one that has stayed helpful and inspiring. I want to thank you so much for this video and your entire channel, and I hope you continue to help people create meaningful stories for years to come. Also this video came out at literally the perfect time for me, so thanks for that ^^

[@emmas.m]

For real. Nearly every other creator just talks about how hard writing is, how bad you will be as an author, and how no one will care about your stories. This channel is a breath of fresh air. It actually gets me excited about writing instead of making me dread opening up my laptop.

[@amazonbookworm1154]

Plot has always been my biggest bone of contention while writing. I can figure everything else out, but the plot likes to terrorize me. 🤣 I'm being smart this time though and figuring out a timeline using stick figure cartoon blocks. I can't draw to save my life, but having a visual helps. The plot part is still a nightmare. 😩

[@jameswarren2150]

Plots are easy once you realize that the protag's inner story drives the plot.

[@KcKc13]

Agreed, plot has always been hard for me too-I tend to be a pantser naturally! I know the beginning and end and roughly how the characters get there, but what do you do in the meantime? I found that asking a bunch of questions first before getting to a scene and knowing what’s coming up at least 1-3 scenes ahead helps me. I ask things like: “what is the point of this? Do I just want to do this for fun or is it actually useful? What are the pros and cons to making it pan out like this?” Anyone have any other tips? Good luck!

[@nikkinewbie6014]

Interested to know if you made any progress. I hope so. 😂. I’m new to writing and thanks to Abbie I have a path I’m going to follow. I’ve had random scenes and ideas in my head for years but with structure I’m finding I’m able to loosely weave things together. I’m making progress. What really helped me was to start with the end of my story and work backwards! Visually think of a cone shape. The narrow point of the cone,🎉 is your laser focused ending. Since it is set, generally speaking, there are many less scenarios that could lead you there. It makes for a stable jumping off point. As you craft your story backwards, the options for your plot start to grow as you move to the wider part - but the options are still manageably limited based on the ending you’ve decided on. I also decide on the midpoint plot twist and link it to the ending. Then I reverse the twist to start crafting the first half of Act 2. And then with those things locked in, the rest falls into place more easily. Hope that makes sense and/or helps!

[@amazonbookworm1154]

@@nikkinewbie6014 This year hasn't been good. My depression and panic disorder have been kicking my butt. I'm hoping it'll chill out soon. I really want to write! I've been doing a lot of coloring. I find it really helps calm me down and reduces my stress. I think it's great that you've found a path that works for you. That is so awesome! What are you working on? Is it a specific genre or a mix? Mine is a combination of paranormal romance and urban fantasy. It is going to be pretty dark content. I am excited about it. My brain is just stuck in a fog

[@nikkinewbie6014]

@@amazonbookworm1154 Hey! Hang in there. I started getting into learning the craft of writing as a distraction at first. I lost my Dad and I guess it was a coping strategy. I’m glad you’ve found something that helps calm you. You should try music too. Maybe even learn to play an instrument. It stimulates a different part of the brain and might help to shake you into a good headspace. I still have bad days but I find myself thinking of creating story and it’s something positive to focus on. It helps. You will get back to a place where you can write again. I can tell because it still excites you. I’m working on a fanfic 🙄☺️. I wanted to practice writing a project before I try writing about my original idea. It will be a romantic thriller. Don’t want to say what fandom…Im shy about talking about it until I birth it 😂😂😂. I’m hoping good things for both of us and that we continue to move forward on a positive path! 😀

[@TomIsNowTyping]

Abbie you’re a saviour Legit, a video about plot couldn’t have come at a better time 💯👏

[@BloomingRose438]

OMG I KNOW RIGHT SAME FOR ME 😂😂😂 I even tried looking at vids on other channels but I couldn’t find anything better then abbies videos One of the people I found was making it plot driven and didn’t even say a single thing about the characters And the others just didn’t explain clearly enough

[@TomIsNowTyping]

@@BloomingRose438 Yeah, seen that a few times. All flash but no character really sucks.

[@marymckay9473]

[@regrettablemuffin9186]

I also usually struggle a lot with finding an actual plot when I have a beautiful fleshed out world and characters. What I find useful to think about is what just changed in this world to force things to change?

[@mycatsnameiskaren8253]

I've been wanting to write a book for a few years and haven't been able to come up with a plot. This is great! Thank you!

[@marsy24-o6b]

Can you do a video about pacing next? I’m trying to figure out how to pace my story and I’m having a lot fo trouble with it..

[@jeng6786]

I think she already has a video on it

[@Friendship1nmillion]

@@jeng6786 🤷 : Wouldn't know { myself } I'm not yet subscribed , Only because I'm not yet fully equipped to fulfill my novelist ambitions { and Abbie Emmons doesn't upload as frequently as I'd like 😮‍💨 } ♑️✍️🇦🇺🇳🇴

[@Friendship1nmillion]

I've seen action movies where the pace of the action is *TOO SLOW* 🐌 to start with Or the writers leave the action to start very much later than I'd like. *I HATE 🤬 THAT* . ♑️✍️🇦🇺🇳🇴

[@wordsonNewYorkHarbour]

She has done one, but it doesn't contain it all for the plot. She says in some other videos that the inciting incident should happen 12% of the way through, and the length really just depends on how long the story would go for, and how much the characters would develop. She also says that as long as the internal conflict is shown in every chapter, and something has changes by the end of each chapter. If you have that, you're good! It's that simple.

[@Eluzian86]

@@Friendship1nmillion ...the author starting the action very much later than I would like is the problem with almost every zombie story...almost every one of them skips the primary outbreak period which I'd actually find the most interesting.

[@nikkinewbie6014]

The question / section about how to show a kidnap victim as still active and making choices immediately made me think of Catherine’s situation in “Silence of The Lambs”. When she plots to capture and get Precious down in the hole with her as leverage, we the audience are so rooting for her! It’s like…take that bait Precious! If you’ve seen the movie or read the book you know who Precious is. 😂

[@BloomingRose438]

Pardon? What?

[@nikkinewbie6014]

@@BloomingRose438. Have you seen or read Silence of the Lambs? There’s a kidnap victim (Catherine) and both the movie and the book’s plot show how she strategizes to try to get away. The movie and the book have a scene where she sets a trap for the kidnapper’s dog to come to the edge of the hole with bones tied to a string and a bucket. When the dog takes the bone she pulls it down in the hole with her. It takes several tries. It’s tension filled. The kidnapper loves the dog which is named Precious. The kidnap victim tries to use the dog to bargain / threaten to hurt it to get the kidnapper to lower a phone down in the hole. That’s when Clarice, the protagonist of the story, rings the bell at his house. At that point he was very close to killing his victim after starving her for a few days. But the victim found a way to at least stall him. She actively fought back. In this video there was something said about how you should still show a character being active somehow when they are in a situation with no obvious power or at a disadvantage. The scene I’m talking about was an example of that. Again the book is even better because we are told what she’s thinking / strategizing but those strategies would have been harder to show in a movie. What are you questioning?

[@BloomingRose438]

@@nikkinewbie6014 omg- My comments are worst sometimes honestly- I just didn’t know what a kidnapping show had to do with the vid? Although I didn’t watch it fully, did she talk about kidnapping or- You just rly like the show?

[@BloomingRose438]

@@nikkinewbie6014 oooooh okay I haven’t watched it tho

[@nikkinewbie6014]

@@BloomingRose438 I spoiled it for you then. It’s a highly acclaimed movie. It won four Oscars. The book was even better than the movie. But yes the video has a question about showing a kidnap victim still being active and not just “a punching bag for the plot” as Abbie says. 😂 Have a good one!

[@gracealynne]

i just finished 100 days of sunlight (waiting for amazon to deliver next one) and omg it’s one of the best books i’ve ever read. i’ve been watching your videos for years now and all of my writing improvement is owed to your channel hahah. thank you so much!!

[@valhatan3907]

07:42 one personal advice for this fella right here: Watch thriller movies. Psychological horror, suspense thriller, etc. The protagonists usually a victim and always make an active choices. My recommendation: - The Call (2013) - Sightless - P2 - The Glass House - Ready or Not - Run - etc

[@josefinasotes796]

Right on time! Yesterday, after two months of struggle, I came up with the dark night of the soul and aha moment of my story!! I felt like I was floating lol

[@coconut-tea]

Me who read Save the Cat: Yea man I'm also in the thight spot of not being able to come up with a catalyst. Like I have everything else but just not the catalyst aahhh

[@josefinasotes796]

@@coconut-tea I watched a video of the explanation of Save the Cat! Writes a Novel (by Jessica Brody) and some of the popular choices for catalysts are break-ups, death, firings or invitations. I hope that can help you a bit!

[@coconut-tea]

@@josefinasotes796 hmmm alright! In my book one goes to a foreign country so I think I’ll have to start before they go there, not when they are already there. That’ll be the invitation then. Thanks!

[@josefinasotes796]

@@coconut-tea well, what I gave you are some options, but leaving your own country can be an inciting incident, maybe whatever happens of whoever they meet is part of that change!

[@jameswarren2150]

One solution to your passive protag question, is to change from the abductee protag to an abductor protag. In other-words, the MC (Main Character antag is the protag ). To me, the external (plot) springs from the premise. The internal (character arc) stems from the theme. Any story journey is accomplished through stakes, to me, esp at the beginning. Esp. Any character goes on two journeys in any given story, external and internal. I think the antag story would be a lot more interesting than a passive and innocent MC, and you could still tell the passive MC's story through the antag (now the protag). Good questions to answer in this new story is why did he abduct the passive character? What was his plans for the passive MC? Was the abduction because of the antag or the protag? Was there an ongoing conflict between the two BEFORE the abduction or was it random? Why was it random, if it was? Was the passive rich? Was the passive. . .? Was the Antag. . . ? Etc. So many questions?

[@mikepowell7516]

I've been working on a novella series (about 13 books) all encompassing a single overarching story. I really only have the beginning and end set perfectly in my mind with a lot of ideas for the middle - so this helped a lot! Thanks Abbie!!

[@torjones1701]

7:25 The 2001 movie Swordfish with the character Stanley played by Hugh Jackman is essentially in that Kidnapped Character role, in that everything that happens to him, he has little choice about, but along the way has opportunities to be an active participant. This is complicated by the non-linear storytelling style, but the element is still there.

[@Crimson_Mushroom]

Idk what it would be called, but I start writing, and after a bit, the words start to seem sloppy, or just not well worded. For example, I'll do alright with describing something, like, "He lapped at the shining, clear river water in the mossy overgrowth" just an example, but then later, I'll be like "He drank the water in the forest" which just doesnt seem well worded. Any suggestions? Tysm for this vid! Edit: Ty all so much! I didn't expect all this great advice, you guys are so supportive, thank u!!

[@prithasingh199]

Not a professional but I can try.He consumed the clear water to quench his thirst.I have a tip for you to write your first draft normally.And in your second draft you can try adding the descriptions...u could look up the dictionary, use Google,search writing inspiration,etc.

[@amazonbookworm1154]

Don't worry about making it sound so...overdone. saying "he drank the water from the river" is perfectly fine. I completely understand wanting to be an amazing wordsmith, but I find that a lot of new writers tend to go overboard in this. Same with describing surroundings. We, as readers, do not have to know EVERYTHING. The whole point behind reading is to escape and for our imagination to take us there. A basic description is really all that's needed. I think your best bet is to just write. Don't worry about how pretty it reads. Just write the story. Worry about making it pretty when you're going through the editing process. And honestly, less is more. Don't try to make everything too pretty and too wordy. It can come across as insecure and pretentious, if that makes sense. 😊

[@jeng6786]

For me I start giving too much info then I edit it and end up giving not enough info. And I also realize I'm telling more than showing so I cut out most of the telling but showing is only consisting of facial and body movements and it ends up feeling really weird and like I'm no longer giving enough detail and auhhhgg.

[@amazonbookworm1154]

@@jeng6786 oh man, I understand that feeling. I used to overshare details to a stupid degree. One thing that helped me a ton was reading. Go back to you top all time favorite books and read them. Have a notepad beside you and when you come across a paragraph or a turn of phrase or even a portion of description that really flows, jot down the page number. Then, when you're writing, out those books close by. You can use them as a reference point. It helps a lot.

[@misquitocreates9005]

I have three stories in the works, one comic I'm publishing while drawing/finishing it and I have the core all fleshed out but how to make the protagonist more active is the biggest flaw in the story, another I have no plot for what so ever, just a vibe and a topic I want to tackle. I love this episode. I wish I had found it a month ago when it came out!! Thank you Abbie!!

[@MsMonet-wt5hr]

Not me about to do an Ask Abbie and then I see this as the top video😂 love that

[@ninadee9753]

Just hearing your voice gives me the motivation to write. Thank you for this community!!!

[@prometheus200]

It’s a really interesting way to look at it, “the internal conflict between the progression of plot”

[@nataliewilson7423]

Thank you!!! This is awesome! You explain so well!

[@shaunzhang733]

I am not too sure what to do with my story now. The protagonist of my story, Hoyt, wanted to live a life free from danger with his wife, Sue. The Inciting incident When his sister Bertha was murdered, he felt that he himself may be the next victim because he had grudges against some of his friends, and he did not know who murdered his sister. As a result, he ran into another province with his wife. Little did he knew that his wife was the one who solicited someone else to murder Bertha, simply because Sue's sister Laura, who had Oppositional Defiant Disorder, was criticised by Bertha. Hoyt gossiped about Laura, so Sue wanted to kill Hoyt, except she wouldn't do it until she discovers another man to flirt with. Hoyt’s desire To live together with his partner and be free from danger. Hoyt’s fear Anything that causes threat to his life or his partner’s life. Hoyt’s misbelief He can live with his wife and be free from danger by simply implementing basic crime prevention methods. The truth Basic crime prevention can only do as much. To truly be free from danger, apart from basic crime prevention, you need to make sure that your partner does not put your life in danger. What steps did Hoyt take to achieve his goal while avoiding his fear? By running away to another province and start a new life, little did he knew that trouble would come later (because his wife was the murder solicitor, she would have no problem soliciting another murder while going scot free, and that he would be one of her targets). I wondered if there's anything wrong with my internal conflict, and whether or not I should restart my story from scratch.

[@KEP1983]

I'm wondering if the wife and others also need to have their own internal conflict, fears, etc. I also like how Tyler Mowery talks about story. Abbie talks about desire, fear, misbelief, etc. Tyler talks a lot about philosophical conflict, where your protagonist and antagonist typically have different worldviews or beliefs about the central question of the story. I'm thinking the central philosophical conflict/theme of your story is: "is it better to avoid danger and be a recluse in order to be safe, or is it better to confront danger head on and risk harm?" If that's the case, then you could approach your protagonist from that perspective, where they start off with the first belief and they end up with the latter belief. The antagonist, the wife, would have to have a worldview opposite of him that would force him out of his belief of hiding from fear. Perhaps her belief system is "it's better to coerce others into fear to control them than it is to be controlled and live in fear." Idk, just some thoughts. IMO your story's conflict could work.

[@shaunzhang733]

@@KEP1983 I made some modification to this Hoyt's internal conflict is now as follows. Hoyt’s desire To live a life of peace and be free from danger. Hoyt’s fear Anything that puts his life in danger. Hoyt’s misbelief That only the outsiders would cause him danger. The truth Your partner can be a danger to you, even if they looked innocent.

[@theelmozusflame3015]

I can't believe that all of the questions were exactly in my head too! Especially the kidnapping one! Absolutely helped my thought process for my book! TIME TO CHANGE THE WORLD!

[@kaquinn8971]

I really appreciate the answer to the third question. I've been getting stuck with a character who just isn't trying hard enough in a captive situation.

[@Eluzian86]

I had several standalones and series develop by having a story idea in a low tech setting and another story in a high tech futuristic setting that were originally planned separately, but I wanted them to be part of the history of the same world. I then thought about the various stages of technological development and societal and cultural changes that would have to occur in order to get from one to the other. I think some of my most interesting story ideas came about this way. Basically I did the same sort of thing I'd do for each individual book on the scale of a world history timeline covering about 700 years from the low tech to the high tech story. Don't think about plot points yet. Just think of the logical progression that would need to take place in order for it to make sense ending up at your new stable world, then think about plot points. The three act story structure is the most commonly used, but it is by no means the only useful option available to you. For example, the movie The Avengers, was written in a 5 act structure, because it simply wouldn't have worked with only three acts. I'm plotting out a story where a genocide occurs using the 10 stages of genocide formulated by Genocide Watch from studying how genocides occurred in our past and then proposing ways to prevent it at each stage. None of the regular story structures were adequate enough for the story I want to tell, so I turned to real life structures to find what I needed. I'm doing a similar thing for another series of mine by studying the 7 stages of revolution along with taking notes from the French Revolution and Napoleonic Wars. Most of my stories can work in three act structure just like most of yours could, but I'm just saying don't keep yourself in a box as far as the possibilities for the structure that could work for your story.

[@julibeewrites]

your advice is so helpful!! including those elements in the blurb and the content rating is such a good idea, thank you so much for the advice :)

[@margarettee1380]

Love 'What could possibly happen that places them in place of greatest fear.."

[@irene2958]

I've recently discovered your channel and it's so helpful. I love your videos. Thanks.💚💛💙

[@carolinezina3543]

Oh girl!! Your hair is gorgeous!!! I love this dark color, makes you look so mature (of course, you're always beautiful tho!!)

[@annarts05]

I've been struggling to plot this idea I have for months, and I'm so grateful for all your videos

[@Shadow-mi7uh]

I normally listen at 1.5 or 2x speed to informative videos but today I just needed a break and something nice so I put this on at 1x and it felt so relaxing

[@wattamayo6529]

Omg!! Perfect timing!!! For the first time in forever(actually never lol) I have 3 story ideas(one romance, the other two fantasy part romance), except.. I don’t have any idea what the plot should be 😂😭

[@BloomingRose438]

Damn u wrote 3 stories at the same time?

[@urvimande]

OMG! Literally perfect timing!😭 I have been blowing my brains out trying to figure out a plot!

[@aoexbasment78]

Fr I don’t even have a plot :( I have the other elements, The internal and external conflict but I can’t figure it out. It hasn’t been on my mind lately so I might as well figure it out 😅

[@kistarials8649]

The way you explain things is phenomenal. You are extremely helpful!

[@andromeda331]

Great advice. I really like the one about putting information at the bottom of the book about what will come up in the book. That's a great idea.

[@HistorywithHannibal]

Perfect timing, Abbie, I have characters and scenes in mind for my WIP, but no plot. Are you a mind reader or something?

[@wordsonNewYorkHarbour]

I get that all the time...

[@arisu5649]

For the person on 7:25, a great example of active decisions in their situation is something from a movie. The black phone. (Spoilers) Finny is a great example of an active protagonist in his situation. He actively attempts of ways to get out of the place he’s in as a victim of kidnapping. Being like 12-15 he does so many things just to get out. What makes it better is that movie is a great movie. The black phone is a perfect example of active characters.

[@maaquijano]

Another Abbie content for the week, yay! Thank you so much, Abbie. You have no idea how helpful your videos are for us writers. Love u!!! 💘💘💘💘💘

[@arohachanuwu9504]

OH MY GOD UNIVERSE IS REALLY LISTENING TO ME THEN 😭😭 ive been staying up late for a week because i couldn't think of a better plot for my wip. not that I don't have a plot, but i want to enhance it, and i started psychoanalyzing everything and it burnt me out coz i just realized how many loopholes my original plot had, and i was so lost 😭😭😭 thank you so much for this video!! i love you so much ~~~

[@decentsingersclub]

7:25 Black Phone?

[@VideoGameRoom32]

Sometimes you can come up with a plot base on your personal experience or someone else's experience. Some of my plots are based on my regrets and a bit more dramatic. I'm in the middle of writing a book based on someone I know who has a sleep disorder. This person can't tell the difference between a dream and what's real. Thanks for taking your time posting this video. It's very helpful.

[@xfairfaeriex]

This sounds really interesting. Hope it goes well!

[@VideoGameRoom32]

@@xfairfaeriex Thanks. This sleep disorder is very rare and it's hard to find research on it. It's going to be a challenge writing this book.

[@johnmichael_]

Perfect timing as always 🙌

[@_Adelaide]

Love this video, Abbie! You've helped me so much. Thank you for all your help!

[@FireflyOnyx]

Damn Abbie, are you psychic or something? O.O I just started rebooting a project I've been working on for over two years due to its plot being absolutely disastrous in more ways than one and I'm completely starting over. Completely new themes and plot, drifting from the basic protag fights antag stuff for a morally grey story with no villains and with themes of societal flaws, the huge gap between rich and poor and how people are expected to conform to social norms. A little discussion of plot and even everything else in the video is really helping out! Great job as always, Abbie!

[@travismiddleton8218]

Great response to the questions Abbie! Your advice is always helpful

[@TiredTaleTeller]

Abbie: “…thrown into the ring with their greatest fear…” 💡 IDEA Bro thanks for this video so much

[@bookishwriter9460]

I have a video idea: A whole book/movie case studied in the form of the three act story structure. I have found some of the case studies very helpful, but sometimes I stuggle to apply them to my story because I can't quite grasp from that one plot point analyzed how to apply it to my story. So if we got a full plot analyzed, I think it would be a lot more helpful to get how it all comes together fluently.

[@xmeliwrites]

Thank you Abbie for sharing your advice, it’s always very helpful and inspiring! :)

[@ANNABUNDANCEE]

Hi Abbie! So ive been writing this short story and for the life of me I cant get the juicy middle written! I have the beginning and end perfect but the middle is near blank! Idk what to do. #AskAbbie

[@angelahernandez6791]

Love you bangs. Thank you for all you wonderful advice

[@arianaturleyknight]

Hey Abbie! I want to start off by saying that I absolutely love your channel!!! I'm thirteen writing my first novel, and your channel has helped! A lot!!! any who, I was wondering if you could do a video on screenwriting?? I want to follow your advice on dialogue but I'm not quite sure how to go about it. I would appreciate it a lot!!! TYSM❤️

[@BloomingRose438]

I’m 14 and I started at 13 too 😊 I still haven’t finished anything yet Hope you made it well tho And if you aren’t I hope u got practice at least

[@lade18]

@@BloomingRose438 how is you all plot going now?

[@BloomingRose438]

@@lade18 oh I procrastinate a lot I only wrote that a month ago so nothing much has changed, I have a « story » idea it’s more like just a bunch of characters and I love series so I’ll probably just make a bunch of random plots and themes happen, like giving them all an aha moment leading up to when the protagonist learns their lesson too Why do I text so much omg- I just wanted to say nothing much has changed

[@caileycarrot]

The way this video was worded was so amazing and informative❤️

[@JemimasOutcome]

That's a cool tip about plot and I'm definitely going to give that a try when I feel a block when writing 👌🏾

[@celesteobando8129]

Yes yes!! Just what I needed!!!

[@emmas.m]

I've got the A- plot all planned out, but I'm trying to figure out the b-plot. Though I will say that I've been trying to plot out a different novel.about pirates, so this was perfect timing. Thanks!!

[@samsparks7303]

Your 'No rush" tip from another video was invaluable. Thanks

[@hanschroer]

"Room" is an excelent movie to watch if you want to write about a kidnapped victim.

[@samielikescats]

I am someone who is still in school, but loves writing on the side. These past few weeks, I have been in a big writing slump. I just got to the big climaxy thing at the beginning that establishes the goal of the entire book, but I am having a hard time writing things down even though I have already planned what is happening next. #AskAbbie

[@mirandathorn]

Your advice is always so helpful!

[@small_dropin_the_big_ocean995]

I am really struggling with external plot but this video gave me ideas how to deal with it. I believe I was really trying to make it a complicated plot with too many sub-plots. Thanks. :)

[@dan4606]

So I have a question that I don’t see anyone really talk about. How would you go about writing an engaging romance between 2 side characters? I’m writing in limited 3rd person pov and I don’t know how I’d build up their relationship without it just being my protagonist watching from the sidelines.

[@dan4606]

@Friskian that’s actually really helpful thanks!

[@gargigolhar2886]

Abbie your vids are amazing! Thank you so much! Your advice really helps me as an improving writer... all the guidance and lovely work that you do really inspires me. Again, thank you... you're amazing!

[@grace3582]

This was very helpful! Thank you so much.

[@sonu5090]

This is what i needed thank you so much 😊

[@MrGreen-ci2mm]

Abbie, please watch Marty (1955) and do an internal/external analysis about it. Great movie and GREAT example of internal/external conflicts.

[@allielexsa9180]

ABBIE OH MY GOD I READ 100 DAYS OF SUNLIGHT AND IT'S MY CURRENT FAVORITE BOOK MY HEARTTTT I LOVE IT SO MUCH AKSJFKLSKASJSJ THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR EXISTING AFTER YOUR WRITING VIDEOS HELPED ME SO MUCH I KNEW YOUR BOOK WOULD BE AMAZING AND I WAS RIGHT TO ASSUME SO :D

[@xoreign]

What are your thoughts on Haruki Murakami, or Osamu Dazai, in that case? Books like "Noregian Wood" or "No Longer Human" seem to just be streams of consciousness. What are these stories doing differently? They're still very engaging reads. Arguably, more so than some of the more traditional stories I've read.

[@isadoraroosevelt6635]

Thank you Abbie I really needed this video so so much, haha!!

[@L_oliviarodrigosbiggestfan]

5:10 id put “trigger warning” so ppl knew it would be there and dint have to read on then on another page or further below list the warnings

[@SabhyataSahu]

Hey, Abbie. I am currently working on a book. I have everything in my mind, how the secret will reveal, its foreshadowing basically I have a summary in my mind. But now, I don't know how to write it in chapters.

[@CaroleCarrier]

Hi Abbie, I’m new to your channel and I’m new to « intentional » writing also… meaning I’ve started a book that tells a true story that happened to me, so up until now, I had no idea about how « intentionally building » a story could make it so much more interesting. You got me trilled at the idea of reviewing my book following your guidelines! Your videos, and yourself, are so dynamic, full of great ideas, etc. I’m becoming your greatest fan! My challenge at this time is to get my book transferred into Scrivener in a way that would help me reviewing and upgrading my story. Any suggestions, please?

[@avtpro]

I love you Abbie!! Thank YOU!! I'm about to Change the WORLD!! Watch out World. Here I COME!! 🎥

[@theboogyman569]

what if the plot doesn't actually push my character to learn to be better, but rather is what is causing the character problems. my MC's internal conflict is that they feel like everybody is gonna abandon or betray him and that everyone who say the care about him really just have an ulterior motive, he learns how to not feel this way via other characters and not by the plot. The plot is essentially him taking classes etc. in order to become a reaper so he is able to earn the money needed for the ferryman.only thing i can think of is these classes make him have to learn to ask other for help without fearing get hurt in some way because of it.

[@userjas]

Then your plot should be what triggers him, the plot isnt just action, is literally the main thing that happens. It seems that what he learns and how he learns with the characters is the plot. The plot need to cause situations realistically to make these lessons via those characters, happen. This is why the plot is important. Imagine if your character didnt have a reason to fear that in the first place, if they have a reason, thats basically what the plot will trigger, and whats he will thinks that is right to do in that moment. For example wat he fears is a problem because he have to teamwork or because he is needing more help than the usual or something like that. And now with your characters dynamics, it seems that will be a lot easier, and it doenst need to be even action, just what makes the character be uncomfortable at extreme.

[@62202ify]

For me the plot came right through and as soon as I write things flow through, sometimes I might sit and think or change something. The biggest obstacle is my own family trying to distract me, they think you need a college degree to be an author. They also have their own agenda. Even now they've trying to stop me from watching this. As you can see it ain't working.

[@oliviaelderberry9423]

I'm glad to know what to do for characters who get kidnapped. I usually find tons of ways for a character to find actions. Although usually none of there actions end well for them. Not because there choices were bad but simply because there kidnappers don't like them.

[@lenandov]

9:16 This was a thread you could have pulled on a little longer. For the sake of the writer, not the content. They were asking a how do I question. You asked what will happen if she dies? The only ways this question can be answered automatically produces content within the mind of the author. Establish the stakes allows the reader to get immersed. And I think immersion breaking was the offense your listener was asking for advice on.

[@runa_7022]

for the tw part: if a tw is considered a "spoiler" to me that means u are using a triggering subject as some sort of surprise or plot twist. to me, thats kinda fucked up if ur using , as an example, SA as some sort of plot twist or something to shock the readers. if i see a tw for, idk like discussions of eating disorders, thats not a spoiler, thats helping your readers beware of what they well read. if the triggering concepts are being used to surprise your readers, stop.

[@wiggleworm5423]

2:15 Yeah, but HOW do you figure out the external things that relate to that when you don't like the only option you're coming up with!!!!

[@thatbabybird1120]

Yyyaasss I've been waiting for this one😩❤️

[@emmapierskalla7622]

I am literally plotting one of my books right now, and I am stuck on another one 😂😂 Got another story idea now tho LMAO

[@ennardthefuntimepuppet6456]

What happens if you create a plot then someone already has taken it

[@saramations]

Just write it yourself. It means you have a trope-y plot but plots can be similar, you only need to legally avoid plagiarism.

[@christophergirardi8145]

The coincidence is unbelievable! I was just having this problem!

[@allhavesaidtheirprayers3434]

Thanks Abbey for your wisdom. My biggest challenge with writing, is my absolute lack of technical knowhow. 40 year old who never has needed or wanted a computer. Who now has to figure out pdf's and email. Plenty of ideas, but im a caveman with a laptop. Haha.

[@parastooat]

Is that Grishaverse at the left top shelf?

[@levinelson9625]

Thanks Abbie! How your day is going well!

[@fannatasticart2217]

I literally just asked my friends this question yesterday!!

[@channeycash2609]

Hi Abbie!!!! So I really need help with this. The way my novel goes is that my main character is winning his goal in the first half of the book then losing that goal in the second half of the book in order for the ending of my novel to be possible. Yes my novel has conflict. However, if my main character is winning the goal during the first half, there doesn't seem to be conflict at first because he instantly gets what he wants. And we know that if the character is not struggling, I might lose the reader's attention. How do I keep the audience hooked and rooting for the character if the conflict is not that subtle yet in the first half of the novel?

[@ivad.1341]

This video was great, thank you :)

[@LaurArt_UK]

I'm now a bit confused between active and reactionary. I thought the protagonist is supposed to be less active before the mid-point? Or is it to do with their approach?

[@audreymaccready5778]

Don't be too obedient to the 'rules'. Write the story, let it find its own flow. You can figure out where to place various scenes afterwards when you review the pacing. Writing is re-writing!

[@URBONED]

As Audrey said there are no rules, just guidelines and suggestions. But to answer your question a protagonist can be active but the midpoint likely causes a shift in the character where they have to change their method of attack because stakes have been raised. Though this post midpoint attack likely fails and they have to change their method again going into the last act.

[@LaurArt_UK]

@@URBONED Thanks this makes sense. It's not that I'm trying to follow the rules strictly, but I don want to understand why you would choose either option. It sounds like its fine for them to be active so long as they're making all the wrong choices haha.

[@URBONED]

@@LaurArt_UK yeah exactly and just make sure all their wrong choices are rooted in their misbelief as Abbie mentions all the time. The character needs to believe they’re making the right choice and it’s up to you whether you disguise them well enough that the audience thinks they’re the right choices too.

[@deusx.machinaanime.3072]

I love your channel, Abbie. ❤❤❤

[@StarlightLoveHeart]

How do you organize your writing files/folders on your computer? I am always changing it up and can't stick to a system that I like and that works for me.

[@sabrinagilmore]

I love u ABBIEEEEEE. THANK YOUUUU

[@robynevershed9292]

Can you please demonstrate how to find and identify plot holes in our favourite books/films?

[@mrshade810]

About trigger warnings. That's one of my fears too. There are about 200 dark mages in my universe. Potentially if they gather enough strength and work together, they can bring someone back to life. I'm scared if I say nothing about it, the reader's gonna think "ok...we can bring people back now?🙄" but if I do say that that's something that can happen, they'll just know it will happen at some point and I'm scared any death will be underwhelming because the reader will think the dark mages can bring them back. I'm so torn😂

[@alyx_1-g4j]

I had a dream with an interesting plot The thing is that i dont know what happened at the start for all the drama to start

[@PresKen3920]

I know this was a year ago but your look here is giving me Nancy Wheeler but in a good way, like throwback to 80s, stranger-things-is-dope kind of way haha

[@kathyl6677]

My problem is the story comes to me, but not the internal stuff, the "why it matters," or what's at stake.

[@jeng6786]

That's when you dive into the character. Start with what they look like and then what their character feels like. Then morph into words what are their likes, dislikes, do they have specific goals for their life- if not then that's a part of their character, if they do then what?

[@kathyl6677]

@@jeng6786 i seem to have a hard time with all that, too. Perhaps i don't sit with it long enough. I have decided, however, that his wife leaves him and he wants her back. On his journey, he discovers his flaws... thank you for your input. Very helpful

[@Daydream-247]

Hi Abbie I’m writing my MC’s misbelief and I want to review if it’s fit or need some change. So my MC’s misbelief is that she’s weak bc she couldn’t save her family, so when she meet another character that wants to find their lost parents, she wants to help them but she thinks that their person’s character is dead. That’s her misbelief!

[@jacindaellison3363]

Does she believe the supporting character's family is dead?

[@Daydream-247]

@@jacindaellison3363 she does when she’s confused about the character’s “misbelief”. They said that their family is alive, and they come from different dimension. She told them that they need to move on and she will take care of them but they won’t.

[@jacindaellison3363]

@@Daydream-247 so it looks like your MC has two misbeliefs: an external one(the supporting character's family being alive) and 2) an internal one (I'm weak because I didn't save my family.) I think those can work together. You could try having the MC helping as a means to get penance of her "failed" attempt at rescuing her family. She can still have that external misbelief that the family is dead b/c she failed to save hers. Maybe she worries the supporting character is only believing they're alive because they feel guilty for not saving their loved ones. Just make sure that at the end, unless this character's going through a negative arc, that the MC learns that just because she couldn't save her family doesn't mean she was weak. Heck, maybe on the journey to finding this other character's family, she gets overly cautious. Does the supporting character have internal conflict, too?

[@Daydream-247]

@@jacindaellison3363 yes, at first they were excited about being accepting at the academic school while going back home by airship. During the middle of their journey, the thunder hit the half airship which cause them to fall while their father tried to save them but it was too late. They wake in ship in the middle of ocean and saw mc sitting next to them. They’re confused, scared, and wants to go home ,find them, hoping someone will help them and not be called crazy bc they believe someone will help them no matter the situation.

[@shaunzhang733]

You need to remember to never exclude your character's want and need when creating internal conflict for them. When Abbie says 'What is the truth that you want to scream from the rooftop?', remember not to be misled, the truth is supposed to transform the character (not saying that your character is not supposed to get what they want, but you need them to crush their misbelief, which is the lie they believed throughout the story). To avoid this problem, always ask yourself what your character wants, and what they need, once you nail this, build their internal conflict from there.

[@candyjansen5503]

Before watching this video I had all my characters done they fears/desire/misbeliefs and back story and was ready to go even had a slight idea of my plot but now watching this video and you saying reading about helpless victims are boring. So now I have to rearrange my characters and the journey they were going on now I'm just second guessing myself. lol But thank you so much for the video