Andrea/Cara here, talking today about the craft of writing a novel—to whit, I’m delighted to announce that I’ve just come across a Momentous Discovery that’s made it easy-peasy. No more angsting over those piddling little inconveniences like character development, conflict and plot development. I have THE SECRET (she says with an evil chuckle).
And how, you may ask, have I stumbled on this magical Gift from the Muse? Lucky you—I am about to share it!
You simply have to go by The Book . . .Yes, yes, I can see you squirming, asking WHAT BOOK? Well, the answer is about to be revealed. (Those of you holding your breath may now exhale.) The name of this astounding tome is PLOTTO: The Master Book of All Plots!
A friend of mine recently gave me this Wondrous Resource after The New York Times Book Review ran a story on its recent reissue. It is—how shall I put this—absolutely, um, mesmerizing in a weirdly fascinating sort of way. Allow me to explain.
PLOTTO is the brainchild of William Wallace Cook, a pulp fiction writer of the early 1900s who earned the title of “the man who deforested Canada." He once said, “A writer is neither better not worse than any other man who happens to be in trade. He is a manufacturer.”
And oh, did Cook manufacture! Writing under a battalion of pseudonyms, he cranked out literally hundreds of books over his forty-four year career, in genres ranging from romance and science fiction to Westerns. (In 1910, he wrote 53 novels.) According to the introduction to the latest edition of this guide to bestsellers, Cook had the art of writing down to a precise science: 40,000 words divided into 16 chapters.
In 1928, Cook published yet another book—this one designed to show that he had come up with “an invention that reduces literature to an exact science.” PLOTTO was, in effect, a plot generator based on three elemental things: the protagonist, the conflict situation and the resolution. And within that trinity exist an infinite variety of combinations. As Paul Collins says in his introduction, Cook’s elaborate chart of how to construct a bestselling novel “resembles some utterly mad thesaurus.”
It’s impossible to do full justice to the full scope of Cook’s, er, genius in words. See the chart below:
There are hundreds of character variations listed, each with a complex system of symbols. Same with plot and conflict. You check the master charts, and then can peruse several hundred pages of PLOTTO’s suggested combinations. Like Dr. Frankenstein in Mary Shelley’s famous novel, you can then bring to life a unique creation of your own. Okay, don’t laugh— Erle Stanley Gardner, author of the Perry Mason books, and Alfred Hitchcock are among the many people who credit PLOTTO with guiding them down the road to success.
In all honesty, I haven’t spent a great deal of time poring over the pages. However, despite my first impulse to dismiss the whole idea of a plot generator as ridiculous, I have to admit that there is a certain mad logic to his system. The idea that there are maybe 20 basic plots in all of literature is not unique to Cook. Critics and philosophers through the ages have mused on this, as well as basic conflict and character archetypes. I recently read an interview in which Lee Child, the famous author of the Jack Reacher thriller novels, waxes poetic on how he likes to think of Reacher as carrying on the tradition of the Knight Errant in medieval romance. Think about it—the tall, dark stranger who rides into town and solves a conflict, only to head off into the sunset once he’s played the hero.
I do plan to give PLOTTO a more careful look. How about you? What do you think of the idea of a master plot and character generator? Does it make you laugh . . .or gag? And do you have a favorite plot trop or character archetype?
well it certainly sounds better than Barbra Cartland’s crank.
After the first oh maybe 10 novels I swear she just fiddled a bit with the main characters and fussed a bit with the besetting problem and then cranked out yet another novel. After a while I just gave up on her. You read maybe the first 2 chapters and the rest of the book was much the same as the last one.
well it certainly sounds better than Barbra Cartland’s crank.
After the first oh maybe 10 novels I swear she just fiddled a bit with the main characters and fussed a bit with the besetting problem and then cranked out yet another novel. After a while I just gave up on her. You read maybe the first 2 chapters and the rest of the book was much the same as the last one.
well it certainly sounds better than Barbra Cartland’s crank.
After the first oh maybe 10 novels I swear she just fiddled a bit with the main characters and fussed a bit with the besetting problem and then cranked out yet another novel. After a while I just gave up on her. You read maybe the first 2 chapters and the rest of the book was much the same as the last one.
well it certainly sounds better than Barbra Cartland’s crank.
After the first oh maybe 10 novels I swear she just fiddled a bit with the main characters and fussed a bit with the besetting problem and then cranked out yet another novel. After a while I just gave up on her. You read maybe the first 2 chapters and the rest of the book was much the same as the last one.
well it certainly sounds better than Barbra Cartland’s crank.
After the first oh maybe 10 novels I swear she just fiddled a bit with the main characters and fussed a bit with the besetting problem and then cranked out yet another novel. After a while I just gave up on her. You read maybe the first 2 chapters and the rest of the book was much the same as the last one.
Can I laugh AND gag? I suppose the software version of PLOTTO will be out any day now. *G* I suppose this could be useful in helping with ideas. Let us know how your future investigations of the book go!
Can I laugh AND gag? I suppose the software version of PLOTTO will be out any day now. *G* I suppose this could be useful in helping with ideas. Let us know how your future investigations of the book go!
Can I laugh AND gag? I suppose the software version of PLOTTO will be out any day now. *G* I suppose this could be useful in helping with ideas. Let us know how your future investigations of the book go!
Can I laugh AND gag? I suppose the software version of PLOTTO will be out any day now. *G* I suppose this could be useful in helping with ideas. Let us know how your future investigations of the book go!
Can I laugh AND gag? I suppose the software version of PLOTTO will be out any day now. *G* I suppose this could be useful in helping with ideas. Let us know how your future investigations of the book go!
JUST the book for me: I can plug my wooden characters into mechanical plots and achieve the very worst stories in the world. People have suggested that I could write, but I have just exposed my entire problem with fiction.
I can write exposition, where it is good composition to tell and not show; I can’t write fiction, because I don’t have the ability to get below the skin. As a reader, I appreciate all you writers who DO have that ability; alas! it eludes me completely when it comes to writing.
I shared this post with my husband, who is like me in being an appreciative reader, but is even less a writer than I am.
Part of me feels that this post should have shown up on Saturday. Between laughing at the descriptions, I kept saying “Are you kidding”
JUST the book for me: I can plug my wooden characters into mechanical plots and achieve the very worst stories in the world. People have suggested that I could write, but I have just exposed my entire problem with fiction.
I can write exposition, where it is good composition to tell and not show; I can’t write fiction, because I don’t have the ability to get below the skin. As a reader, I appreciate all you writers who DO have that ability; alas! it eludes me completely when it comes to writing.
I shared this post with my husband, who is like me in being an appreciative reader, but is even less a writer than I am.
Part of me feels that this post should have shown up on Saturday. Between laughing at the descriptions, I kept saying “Are you kidding”
JUST the book for me: I can plug my wooden characters into mechanical plots and achieve the very worst stories in the world. People have suggested that I could write, but I have just exposed my entire problem with fiction.
I can write exposition, where it is good composition to tell and not show; I can’t write fiction, because I don’t have the ability to get below the skin. As a reader, I appreciate all you writers who DO have that ability; alas! it eludes me completely when it comes to writing.
I shared this post with my husband, who is like me in being an appreciative reader, but is even less a writer than I am.
Part of me feels that this post should have shown up on Saturday. Between laughing at the descriptions, I kept saying “Are you kidding”
JUST the book for me: I can plug my wooden characters into mechanical plots and achieve the very worst stories in the world. People have suggested that I could write, but I have just exposed my entire problem with fiction.
I can write exposition, where it is good composition to tell and not show; I can’t write fiction, because I don’t have the ability to get below the skin. As a reader, I appreciate all you writers who DO have that ability; alas! it eludes me completely when it comes to writing.
I shared this post with my husband, who is like me in being an appreciative reader, but is even less a writer than I am.
Part of me feels that this post should have shown up on Saturday. Between laughing at the descriptions, I kept saying “Are you kidding”
JUST the book for me: I can plug my wooden characters into mechanical plots and achieve the very worst stories in the world. People have suggested that I could write, but I have just exposed my entire problem with fiction.
I can write exposition, where it is good composition to tell and not show; I can’t write fiction, because I don’t have the ability to get below the skin. As a reader, I appreciate all you writers who DO have that ability; alas! it eludes me completely when it comes to writing.
I shared this post with my husband, who is like me in being an appreciative reader, but is even less a writer than I am.
Part of me feels that this post should have shown up on Saturday. Between laughing at the descriptions, I kept saying “Are you kidding”
Trust me, Plotto offers WAY more than a few plots twists. It’s quite extraordinary . . . or maybe frightening is a better word. Though, it is interesting to read some of the basic thoughts on what makes a compelling story. Some of them are just good reminders, at least they are for me.
Trust me, Plotto offers WAY more than a few plots twists. It’s quite extraordinary . . . or maybe frightening is a better word. Though, it is interesting to read some of the basic thoughts on what makes a compelling story. Some of them are just good reminders, at least they are for me.
Trust me, Plotto offers WAY more than a few plots twists. It’s quite extraordinary . . . or maybe frightening is a better word. Though, it is interesting to read some of the basic thoughts on what makes a compelling story. Some of them are just good reminders, at least they are for me.
Trust me, Plotto offers WAY more than a few plots twists. It’s quite extraordinary . . . or maybe frightening is a better word. Though, it is interesting to read some of the basic thoughts on what makes a compelling story. Some of them are just good reminders, at least they are for me.
Trust me, Plotto offers WAY more than a few plots twists. It’s quite extraordinary . . . or maybe frightening is a better word. Though, it is interesting to read some of the basic thoughts on what makes a compelling story. Some of them are just good reminders, at least they are for me.
Oh, gah—yes, someone will probably to a Plotto app! (God forfend!) Though as I mentioned to Anne above, reading through some of the basic ideas do serve as good reminders about the core elements of a story.
Oh, gah—yes, someone will probably to a Plotto app! (God forfend!) Though as I mentioned to Anne above, reading through some of the basic ideas do serve as good reminders about the core elements of a story.
Oh, gah—yes, someone will probably to a Plotto app! (God forfend!) Though as I mentioned to Anne above, reading through some of the basic ideas do serve as good reminders about the core elements of a story.
Oh, gah—yes, someone will probably to a Plotto app! (God forfend!) Though as I mentioned to Anne above, reading through some of the basic ideas do serve as good reminders about the core elements of a story.
Oh, gah—yes, someone will probably to a Plotto app! (God forfend!) Though as I mentioned to Anne above, reading through some of the basic ideas do serve as good reminders about the core elements of a story.
Sue, Sue hit the nail on the head exactly about the problem of thinking you can “reduce literature to an exact science.” IYou can have all the intricately numbered steps and fancy outlines, but as you say, then you have to give them flesh and blood. And that’s NOT easy!
Sue, Sue hit the nail on the head exactly about the problem of thinking you can “reduce literature to an exact science.” IYou can have all the intricately numbered steps and fancy outlines, but as you say, then you have to give them flesh and blood. And that’s NOT easy!
Sue, Sue hit the nail on the head exactly about the problem of thinking you can “reduce literature to an exact science.” IYou can have all the intricately numbered steps and fancy outlines, but as you say, then you have to give them flesh and blood. And that’s NOT easy!
Sue, Sue hit the nail on the head exactly about the problem of thinking you can “reduce literature to an exact science.” IYou can have all the intricately numbered steps and fancy outlines, but as you say, then you have to give them flesh and blood. And that’s NOT easy!
Sue, Sue hit the nail on the head exactly about the problem of thinking you can “reduce literature to an exact science.” IYou can have all the intricately numbered steps and fancy outlines, but as you say, then you have to give them flesh and blood. And that’s NOT easy!
I have to agree with Anne. I gave up on a lot of authors who seemed to just remix their first four or so novels and published them with a new title. All they were writing were the same stories with different character names. Maybe I should send them all a copy of this?
I have to agree with Anne. I gave up on a lot of authors who seemed to just remix their first four or so novels and published them with a new title. All they were writing were the same stories with different character names. Maybe I should send them all a copy of this?
I have to agree with Anne. I gave up on a lot of authors who seemed to just remix their first four or so novels and published them with a new title. All they were writing were the same stories with different character names. Maybe I should send them all a copy of this?
I have to agree with Anne. I gave up on a lot of authors who seemed to just remix their first four or so novels and published them with a new title. All they were writing were the same stories with different character names. Maybe I should send them all a copy of this?
I have to agree with Anne. I gave up on a lot of authors who seemed to just remix their first four or so novels and published them with a new title. All they were writing were the same stories with different character names. Maybe I should send them all a copy of this?
Well, I loved the Perry Mason mysteries when I was younger, so maybe old Cook had something there. But I don’t read near as many mysteries as I do romance.
I think, especially when it comes to romance, like Sue above says, you have to be able to get beneath the skin. You have to be able to create the heart, mind and soul of the character. The best books, the ones that are memorable to me, are the ones that are character driven. It’s hard to believe that there is a “by the numbers” way of doing that. The plots may be the same in many romance books, but it’s the ones that have well defined characters that stand out to me.
Well, I loved the Perry Mason mysteries when I was younger, so maybe old Cook had something there. But I don’t read near as many mysteries as I do romance.
I think, especially when it comes to romance, like Sue above says, you have to be able to get beneath the skin. You have to be able to create the heart, mind and soul of the character. The best books, the ones that are memorable to me, are the ones that are character driven. It’s hard to believe that there is a “by the numbers” way of doing that. The plots may be the same in many romance books, but it’s the ones that have well defined characters that stand out to me.
Well, I loved the Perry Mason mysteries when I was younger, so maybe old Cook had something there. But I don’t read near as many mysteries as I do romance.
I think, especially when it comes to romance, like Sue above says, you have to be able to get beneath the skin. You have to be able to create the heart, mind and soul of the character. The best books, the ones that are memorable to me, are the ones that are character driven. It’s hard to believe that there is a “by the numbers” way of doing that. The plots may be the same in many romance books, but it’s the ones that have well defined characters that stand out to me.
Well, I loved the Perry Mason mysteries when I was younger, so maybe old Cook had something there. But I don’t read near as many mysteries as I do romance.
I think, especially when it comes to romance, like Sue above says, you have to be able to get beneath the skin. You have to be able to create the heart, mind and soul of the character. The best books, the ones that are memorable to me, are the ones that are character driven. It’s hard to believe that there is a “by the numbers” way of doing that. The plots may be the same in many romance books, but it’s the ones that have well defined characters that stand out to me.
Well, I loved the Perry Mason mysteries when I was younger, so maybe old Cook had something there. But I don’t read near as many mysteries as I do romance.
I think, especially when it comes to romance, like Sue above says, you have to be able to get beneath the skin. You have to be able to create the heart, mind and soul of the character. The best books, the ones that are memorable to me, are the ones that are character driven. It’s hard to believe that there is a “by the numbers” way of doing that. The plots may be the same in many romance books, but it’s the ones that have well defined characters that stand out to me.
How about if I laugh, gag and cringe? My fear is many young writers today are using this method without realizing it. The mind boggles at what might happen should an app or software program based on this book land on Amazon. With the advent of indie and self-publishing, many fantastic authors have been discovered, many established authors have broadened their base and they have been able to publish worthy books their traditional houses chose not to publish, many authors have republished their older works and captivated an entirely new audience. And then… many people who see writing and self-publishing as the goose that laid the golden egg or worse, simply see it as a get-rich-quick scheme have flooded the market with not-ready-for-prime-time books and made it doubly hard for those indie published authors who have actually done the work and tried their best to deliver a quality well-written product to readers.
I truly believe the key to writing a good book is to think and feel for yourself. As an author, that is the promise you make to your reader. “I am going to tell you a story I believe in, to the best of my ability, in the hope you will feel every bit of emotion I felt as I wrote it.” I want to believe writing is an act of connection – to your readers, to yourself, and to all who come after you and read your work. The more we connect on an emotional, visceral level and the more we escape into romance, history, adventure, mystery, fantasy together – the better understanding we have of each other. There is no formula for that. You simply have to do it. Which makes it scary as hell. And as amazing as the moment of creation.
How about if I laugh, gag and cringe? My fear is many young writers today are using this method without realizing it. The mind boggles at what might happen should an app or software program based on this book land on Amazon. With the advent of indie and self-publishing, many fantastic authors have been discovered, many established authors have broadened their base and they have been able to publish worthy books their traditional houses chose not to publish, many authors have republished their older works and captivated an entirely new audience. And then… many people who see writing and self-publishing as the goose that laid the golden egg or worse, simply see it as a get-rich-quick scheme have flooded the market with not-ready-for-prime-time books and made it doubly hard for those indie published authors who have actually done the work and tried their best to deliver a quality well-written product to readers.
I truly believe the key to writing a good book is to think and feel for yourself. As an author, that is the promise you make to your reader. “I am going to tell you a story I believe in, to the best of my ability, in the hope you will feel every bit of emotion I felt as I wrote it.” I want to believe writing is an act of connection – to your readers, to yourself, and to all who come after you and read your work. The more we connect on an emotional, visceral level and the more we escape into romance, history, adventure, mystery, fantasy together – the better understanding we have of each other. There is no formula for that. You simply have to do it. Which makes it scary as hell. And as amazing as the moment of creation.
How about if I laugh, gag and cringe? My fear is many young writers today are using this method without realizing it. The mind boggles at what might happen should an app or software program based on this book land on Amazon. With the advent of indie and self-publishing, many fantastic authors have been discovered, many established authors have broadened their base and they have been able to publish worthy books their traditional houses chose not to publish, many authors have republished their older works and captivated an entirely new audience. And then… many people who see writing and self-publishing as the goose that laid the golden egg or worse, simply see it as a get-rich-quick scheme have flooded the market with not-ready-for-prime-time books and made it doubly hard for those indie published authors who have actually done the work and tried their best to deliver a quality well-written product to readers.
I truly believe the key to writing a good book is to think and feel for yourself. As an author, that is the promise you make to your reader. “I am going to tell you a story I believe in, to the best of my ability, in the hope you will feel every bit of emotion I felt as I wrote it.” I want to believe writing is an act of connection – to your readers, to yourself, and to all who come after you and read your work. The more we connect on an emotional, visceral level and the more we escape into romance, history, adventure, mystery, fantasy together – the better understanding we have of each other. There is no formula for that. You simply have to do it. Which makes it scary as hell. And as amazing as the moment of creation.
How about if I laugh, gag and cringe? My fear is many young writers today are using this method without realizing it. The mind boggles at what might happen should an app or software program based on this book land on Amazon. With the advent of indie and self-publishing, many fantastic authors have been discovered, many established authors have broadened their base and they have been able to publish worthy books their traditional houses chose not to publish, many authors have republished their older works and captivated an entirely new audience. And then… many people who see writing and self-publishing as the goose that laid the golden egg or worse, simply see it as a get-rich-quick scheme have flooded the market with not-ready-for-prime-time books and made it doubly hard for those indie published authors who have actually done the work and tried their best to deliver a quality well-written product to readers.
I truly believe the key to writing a good book is to think and feel for yourself. As an author, that is the promise you make to your reader. “I am going to tell you a story I believe in, to the best of my ability, in the hope you will feel every bit of emotion I felt as I wrote it.” I want to believe writing is an act of connection – to your readers, to yourself, and to all who come after you and read your work. The more we connect on an emotional, visceral level and the more we escape into romance, history, adventure, mystery, fantasy together – the better understanding we have of each other. There is no formula for that. You simply have to do it. Which makes it scary as hell. And as amazing as the moment of creation.
How about if I laugh, gag and cringe? My fear is many young writers today are using this method without realizing it. The mind boggles at what might happen should an app or software program based on this book land on Amazon. With the advent of indie and self-publishing, many fantastic authors have been discovered, many established authors have broadened their base and they have been able to publish worthy books their traditional houses chose not to publish, many authors have republished their older works and captivated an entirely new audience. And then… many people who see writing and self-publishing as the goose that laid the golden egg or worse, simply see it as a get-rich-quick scheme have flooded the market with not-ready-for-prime-time books and made it doubly hard for those indie published authors who have actually done the work and tried their best to deliver a quality well-written product to readers.
I truly believe the key to writing a good book is to think and feel for yourself. As an author, that is the promise you make to your reader. “I am going to tell you a story I believe in, to the best of my ability, in the hope you will feel every bit of emotion I felt as I wrote it.” I want to believe writing is an act of connection – to your readers, to yourself, and to all who come after you and read your work. The more we connect on an emotional, visceral level and the more we escape into romance, history, adventure, mystery, fantasy together – the better understanding we have of each other. There is no formula for that. You simply have to do it. Which makes it scary as hell. And as amazing as the moment of creation.
Totally agree, Mary.Fancy outlines are merely a framework. A writer has to make that framework come alive for readers.
Totally agree, Mary.Fancy outlines are merely a framework. A writer has to make that framework come alive for readers.
Totally agree, Mary.Fancy outlines are merely a framework. A writer has to make that framework come alive for readers.
Totally agree, Mary.Fancy outlines are merely a framework. A writer has to make that framework come alive for readers.
Totally agree, Mary.Fancy outlines are merely a framework. A writer has to make that framework come alive for readers.
So well said, Louisa! Thank you.
My first impression was the same as yours Though as I said, I found it interesting to peruse some of his points. There are some good reminders in the book. But as has been pointed out in several of the comments here, a good book has to have heart and soul. That can’t be “plugged in.”
So well said, Louisa! Thank you.
My first impression was the same as yours Though as I said, I found it interesting to peruse some of his points. There are some good reminders in the book. But as has been pointed out in several of the comments here, a good book has to have heart and soul. That can’t be “plugged in.”
So well said, Louisa! Thank you.
My first impression was the same as yours Though as I said, I found it interesting to peruse some of his points. There are some good reminders in the book. But as has been pointed out in several of the comments here, a good book has to have heart and soul. That can’t be “plugged in.”
So well said, Louisa! Thank you.
My first impression was the same as yours Though as I said, I found it interesting to peruse some of his points. There are some good reminders in the book. But as has been pointed out in several of the comments here, a good book has to have heart and soul. That can’t be “plugged in.”
So well said, Louisa! Thank you.
My first impression was the same as yours Though as I said, I found it interesting to peruse some of his points. There are some good reminders in the book. But as has been pointed out in several of the comments here, a good book has to have heart and soul. That can’t be “plugged in.”
In the time it took my brother to choose a book at the library I’d scan read a Barbara Cartland Novel!!
In the time it took my brother to choose a book at the library I’d scan read a Barbara Cartland Novel!!
In the time it took my brother to choose a book at the library I’d scan read a Barbara Cartland Novel!!
In the time it took my brother to choose a book at the library I’d scan read a Barbara Cartland Novel!!
In the time it took my brother to choose a book at the library I’d scan read a Barbara Cartland Novel!!
I strained my eyes trying to read the image above. Best as I can determine, he’s developed an algebraic formula for WRITERS JOURNEY. I really hate being told a book must be boiled down to three turning points and a conflict. Of course, I also hate soap opera, Perry Mason, and any other book or show that relies on one basic plot. So, I won’t write 53 books this year, oh well!
I strained my eyes trying to read the image above. Best as I can determine, he’s developed an algebraic formula for WRITERS JOURNEY. I really hate being told a book must be boiled down to three turning points and a conflict. Of course, I also hate soap opera, Perry Mason, and any other book or show that relies on one basic plot. So, I won’t write 53 books this year, oh well!
I strained my eyes trying to read the image above. Best as I can determine, he’s developed an algebraic formula for WRITERS JOURNEY. I really hate being told a book must be boiled down to three turning points and a conflict. Of course, I also hate soap opera, Perry Mason, and any other book or show that relies on one basic plot. So, I won’t write 53 books this year, oh well!
I strained my eyes trying to read the image above. Best as I can determine, he’s developed an algebraic formula for WRITERS JOURNEY. I really hate being told a book must be boiled down to three turning points and a conflict. Of course, I also hate soap opera, Perry Mason, and any other book or show that relies on one basic plot. So, I won’t write 53 books this year, oh well!
I strained my eyes trying to read the image above. Best as I can determine, he’s developed an algebraic formula for WRITERS JOURNEY. I really hate being told a book must be boiled down to three turning points and a conflict. Of course, I also hate soap opera, Perry Mason, and any other book or show that relies on one basic plot. So, I won’t write 53 books this year, oh well!
Ha, ha, ha! Neither will I. Sorry I didn’t make the chart bigger. It’s mezmerising . . . in a coiled snake sort of way!
Ha, ha, ha! Neither will I. Sorry I didn’t make the chart bigger. It’s mezmerising . . . in a coiled snake sort of way!
Ha, ha, ha! Neither will I. Sorry I didn’t make the chart bigger. It’s mezmerising . . . in a coiled snake sort of way!
Ha, ha, ha! Neither will I. Sorry I didn’t make the chart bigger. It’s mezmerising . . . in a coiled snake sort of way!
Ha, ha, ha! Neither will I. Sorry I didn’t make the chart bigger. It’s mezmerising . . . in a coiled snake sort of way!
Well there’s a formal for just about any kind of literature. Aristotle’s formula for tragedy was “A noble but flawed protagonist commits a serious error either accidentally or deliberately and that brings about his downfall.” That’s worked out pretty well over the centuries.
Of course, as someone else said, “The Devil is in the details!” *G*
Well there’s a formal for just about any kind of literature. Aristotle’s formula for tragedy was “A noble but flawed protagonist commits a serious error either accidentally or deliberately and that brings about his downfall.” That’s worked out pretty well over the centuries.
Of course, as someone else said, “The Devil is in the details!” *G*
Well there’s a formal for just about any kind of literature. Aristotle’s formula for tragedy was “A noble but flawed protagonist commits a serious error either accidentally or deliberately and that brings about his downfall.” That’s worked out pretty well over the centuries.
Of course, as someone else said, “The Devil is in the details!” *G*
Well there’s a formal for just about any kind of literature. Aristotle’s formula for tragedy was “A noble but flawed protagonist commits a serious error either accidentally or deliberately and that brings about his downfall.” That’s worked out pretty well over the centuries.
Of course, as someone else said, “The Devil is in the details!” *G*
Well there’s a formal for just about any kind of literature. Aristotle’s formula for tragedy was “A noble but flawed protagonist commits a serious error either accidentally or deliberately and that brings about his downfall.” That’s worked out pretty well over the centuries.
Of course, as someone else said, “The Devil is in the details!” *G*
Yes, there have been formulas for centuries. It’s how one takes the formula and makes it one’s own that means anything.
Yes, there have been formulas for centuries. It’s how one takes the formula and makes it one’s own that means anything.
Yes, there have been formulas for centuries. It’s how one takes the formula and makes it one’s own that means anything.
Yes, there have been formulas for centuries. It’s how one takes the formula and makes it one’s own that means anything.
Yes, there have been formulas for centuries. It’s how one takes the formula and makes it one’s own that means anything.
Lee Child’s remark reminded me of the 1950’s television show “Have Gun Will Travel.” It starred Richard Boone as a gunman who traveled the Wild West, sorting out problems. His business card said, “Wire Paladin San Francisco.” Does anyone else remember?
Lee Child’s remark reminded me of the 1950’s television show “Have Gun Will Travel.” It starred Richard Boone as a gunman who traveled the Wild West, sorting out problems. His business card said, “Wire Paladin San Francisco.” Does anyone else remember?
Lee Child’s remark reminded me of the 1950’s television show “Have Gun Will Travel.” It starred Richard Boone as a gunman who traveled the Wild West, sorting out problems. His business card said, “Wire Paladin San Francisco.” Does anyone else remember?
Lee Child’s remark reminded me of the 1950’s television show “Have Gun Will Travel.” It starred Richard Boone as a gunman who traveled the Wild West, sorting out problems. His business card said, “Wire Paladin San Francisco.” Does anyone else remember?
Lee Child’s remark reminded me of the 1950’s television show “Have Gun Will Travel.” It starred Richard Boone as a gunman who traveled the Wild West, sorting out problems. His business card said, “Wire Paladin San Francisco.” Does anyone else remember?
I wouldn’t hold it against an author if she used some things she learned from Plotto; Plotto is only a starting point. It’s up to the individual author to give intangible qualities — life, resonance, validity — to the thing. Plot alone is never enough to determine good/bad original/derivative; it’s what is done with it that counts. The first time I read Jane Austen it was to “find out what happened” — the multiple times after that was because I enjoyed her company and that of her characters.
I wouldn’t hold it against an author if she used some things she learned from Plotto; Plotto is only a starting point. It’s up to the individual author to give intangible qualities — life, resonance, validity — to the thing. Plot alone is never enough to determine good/bad original/derivative; it’s what is done with it that counts. The first time I read Jane Austen it was to “find out what happened” — the multiple times after that was because I enjoyed her company and that of her characters.
I wouldn’t hold it against an author if she used some things she learned from Plotto; Plotto is only a starting point. It’s up to the individual author to give intangible qualities — life, resonance, validity — to the thing. Plot alone is never enough to determine good/bad original/derivative; it’s what is done with it that counts. The first time I read Jane Austen it was to “find out what happened” — the multiple times after that was because I enjoyed her company and that of her characters.
I wouldn’t hold it against an author if she used some things she learned from Plotto; Plotto is only a starting point. It’s up to the individual author to give intangible qualities — life, resonance, validity — to the thing. Plot alone is never enough to determine good/bad original/derivative; it’s what is done with it that counts. The first time I read Jane Austen it was to “find out what happened” — the multiple times after that was because I enjoyed her company and that of her characters.
I wouldn’t hold it against an author if she used some things she learned from Plotto; Plotto is only a starting point. It’s up to the individual author to give intangible qualities — life, resonance, validity — to the thing. Plot alone is never enough to determine good/bad original/derivative; it’s what is done with it that counts. The first time I read Jane Austen it was to “find out what happened” — the multiple times after that was because I enjoyed her company and that of her characters.
Yes. Loved it on radio as well. His business card had a chess piece on it.
Yes. Loved it on radio as well. His business card had a chess piece on it.
Yes. Loved it on radio as well. His business card had a chess piece on it.
Yes. Loved it on radio as well. His business card had a chess piece on it.
Yes. Loved it on radio as well. His business card had a chess piece on it.
Yes, another good example of the Knight Errant!
Yes, another good example of the Knight Errant!
Yes, another good example of the Knight Errant!
Yes, another good example of the Knight Errant!
Yes, another good example of the Knight Errant!
I love Perry Mason, the Raymond Burr black and white version from the 1950s/1960s. It’s set in LA, my home town, as I grew up in it; it has a cast with amazing chemistry; it has many familiar faces from other TV shows of that era; it has a thoroughly decent hero; and Della Street has a wardrobe (on a secretary’s pay!) to die for. It’s “comfort viewing” for me because Perry could sort out any mess and do it in 46 minutes 🙂 Whenever I feel under the weather, I turn to Perry.
I love Perry Mason, the Raymond Burr black and white version from the 1950s/1960s. It’s set in LA, my home town, as I grew up in it; it has a cast with amazing chemistry; it has many familiar faces from other TV shows of that era; it has a thoroughly decent hero; and Della Street has a wardrobe (on a secretary’s pay!) to die for. It’s “comfort viewing” for me because Perry could sort out any mess and do it in 46 minutes 🙂 Whenever I feel under the weather, I turn to Perry.
I love Perry Mason, the Raymond Burr black and white version from the 1950s/1960s. It’s set in LA, my home town, as I grew up in it; it has a cast with amazing chemistry; it has many familiar faces from other TV shows of that era; it has a thoroughly decent hero; and Della Street has a wardrobe (on a secretary’s pay!) to die for. It’s “comfort viewing” for me because Perry could sort out any mess and do it in 46 minutes 🙂 Whenever I feel under the weather, I turn to Perry.
I love Perry Mason, the Raymond Burr black and white version from the 1950s/1960s. It’s set in LA, my home town, as I grew up in it; it has a cast with amazing chemistry; it has many familiar faces from other TV shows of that era; it has a thoroughly decent hero; and Della Street has a wardrobe (on a secretary’s pay!) to die for. It’s “comfort viewing” for me because Perry could sort out any mess and do it in 46 minutes 🙂 Whenever I feel under the weather, I turn to Perry.
I love Perry Mason, the Raymond Burr black and white version from the 1950s/1960s. It’s set in LA, my home town, as I grew up in it; it has a cast with amazing chemistry; it has many familiar faces from other TV shows of that era; it has a thoroughly decent hero; and Della Street has a wardrobe (on a secretary’s pay!) to die for. It’s “comfort viewing” for me because Perry could sort out any mess and do it in 46 minutes 🙂 Whenever I feel under the weather, I turn to Perry.
I agree, Janice. There are lots of good lessons to be learned from teaching manuals. It’s how a writer uses them as a starting point to explore and find inspiration that matters. Words need to have life behind them. Only a writer’s imagination can provide that spark.
I agree, Janice. There are lots of good lessons to be learned from teaching manuals. It’s how a writer uses them as a starting point to explore and find inspiration that matters. Words need to have life behind them. Only a writer’s imagination can provide that spark.
I agree, Janice. There are lots of good lessons to be learned from teaching manuals. It’s how a writer uses them as a starting point to explore and find inspiration that matters. Words need to have life behind them. Only a writer’s imagination can provide that spark.
I agree, Janice. There are lots of good lessons to be learned from teaching manuals. It’s how a writer uses them as a starting point to explore and find inspiration that matters. Words need to have life behind them. Only a writer’s imagination can provide that spark.
I agree, Janice. There are lots of good lessons to be learned from teaching manuals. It’s how a writer uses them as a starting point to explore and find inspiration that matters. Words need to have life behind them. Only a writer’s imagination can provide that spark.
The basic plot line is the same for all: we’re born, we scramble around in a mad game of Twister for a time, if we’re lucky we pass along our genetic markers, and then we die. The trick is to make some meaning out of that absurd plotline for both ourselves and our characters. Do we/they touch any hearts along the way? Leave the world a better place for having used up its resources during our stay? Do we/they make our time mean anything worth remembering? We’re laughing about Barbara Cartland, but she touched a few hearts along the way, although not to nearly the extent that say Austen or Shakespeare did. A few columns back you wrote about and solicited comments concerning writers who had made us readers – now THAT’s a talent that takes more than can be thrown together from a data-filled chart. Clever analysts now tell us that mauve was Nabokov’s favorite word, but that’s not why we remember his books that made us think about things in ways we didn’t necessarily want to. And it’s the wonderful skill the Wench writers use to make us really FEEL that makes us return to their books time and again, and why Mary Balogh is always mentioned when people write about what they’re reading or their favorite books. Sorry I ranted so long. Save the book for kindling for when the Apocalypse comes!
The basic plot line is the same for all: we’re born, we scramble around in a mad game of Twister for a time, if we’re lucky we pass along our genetic markers, and then we die. The trick is to make some meaning out of that absurd plotline for both ourselves and our characters. Do we/they touch any hearts along the way? Leave the world a better place for having used up its resources during our stay? Do we/they make our time mean anything worth remembering? We’re laughing about Barbara Cartland, but she touched a few hearts along the way, although not to nearly the extent that say Austen or Shakespeare did. A few columns back you wrote about and solicited comments concerning writers who had made us readers – now THAT’s a talent that takes more than can be thrown together from a data-filled chart. Clever analysts now tell us that mauve was Nabokov’s favorite word, but that’s not why we remember his books that made us think about things in ways we didn’t necessarily want to. And it’s the wonderful skill the Wench writers use to make us really FEEL that makes us return to their books time and again, and why Mary Balogh is always mentioned when people write about what they’re reading or their favorite books. Sorry I ranted so long. Save the book for kindling for when the Apocalypse comes!
The basic plot line is the same for all: we’re born, we scramble around in a mad game of Twister for a time, if we’re lucky we pass along our genetic markers, and then we die. The trick is to make some meaning out of that absurd plotline for both ourselves and our characters. Do we/they touch any hearts along the way? Leave the world a better place for having used up its resources during our stay? Do we/they make our time mean anything worth remembering? We’re laughing about Barbara Cartland, but she touched a few hearts along the way, although not to nearly the extent that say Austen or Shakespeare did. A few columns back you wrote about and solicited comments concerning writers who had made us readers – now THAT’s a talent that takes more than can be thrown together from a data-filled chart. Clever analysts now tell us that mauve was Nabokov’s favorite word, but that’s not why we remember his books that made us think about things in ways we didn’t necessarily want to. And it’s the wonderful skill the Wench writers use to make us really FEEL that makes us return to their books time and again, and why Mary Balogh is always mentioned when people write about what they’re reading or their favorite books. Sorry I ranted so long. Save the book for kindling for when the Apocalypse comes!
The basic plot line is the same for all: we’re born, we scramble around in a mad game of Twister for a time, if we’re lucky we pass along our genetic markers, and then we die. The trick is to make some meaning out of that absurd plotline for both ourselves and our characters. Do we/they touch any hearts along the way? Leave the world a better place for having used up its resources during our stay? Do we/they make our time mean anything worth remembering? We’re laughing about Barbara Cartland, but she touched a few hearts along the way, although not to nearly the extent that say Austen or Shakespeare did. A few columns back you wrote about and solicited comments concerning writers who had made us readers – now THAT’s a talent that takes more than can be thrown together from a data-filled chart. Clever analysts now tell us that mauve was Nabokov’s favorite word, but that’s not why we remember his books that made us think about things in ways we didn’t necessarily want to. And it’s the wonderful skill the Wench writers use to make us really FEEL that makes us return to their books time and again, and why Mary Balogh is always mentioned when people write about what they’re reading or their favorite books. Sorry I ranted so long. Save the book for kindling for when the Apocalypse comes!
The basic plot line is the same for all: we’re born, we scramble around in a mad game of Twister for a time, if we’re lucky we pass along our genetic markers, and then we die. The trick is to make some meaning out of that absurd plotline for both ourselves and our characters. Do we/they touch any hearts along the way? Leave the world a better place for having used up its resources during our stay? Do we/they make our time mean anything worth remembering? We’re laughing about Barbara Cartland, but she touched a few hearts along the way, although not to nearly the extent that say Austen or Shakespeare did. A few columns back you wrote about and solicited comments concerning writers who had made us readers – now THAT’s a talent that takes more than can be thrown together from a data-filled chart. Clever analysts now tell us that mauve was Nabokov’s favorite word, but that’s not why we remember his books that made us think about things in ways we didn’t necessarily want to. And it’s the wonderful skill the Wench writers use to make us really FEEL that makes us return to their books time and again, and why Mary Balogh is always mentioned when people write about what they’re reading or their favorite books. Sorry I ranted so long. Save the book for kindling for when the Apocalypse comes!
Well I have read in more than one place that there are a limited number of plots. But, a chart, hmmmm, I guess it could work for some writers. I have read some books which seem to follow a formula and I was not a huge fan of any of them.
But, I have read books which made me laugh and some of those same books made me weep. I have read books which introduced me to characters I wished were people I knew. I have read books which made me think about ideas and what they taught me for a very long time. Many of those ideas stayed with me.
I believe the books I
I have read books which made me love them and treasure them. And I am pretty sure that they were not written by some chart or formula.
I believe the books I treasured were written by authors with talent and skill. But, I am a mere reader, so what do I know.
Well I have read in more than one place that there are a limited number of plots. But, a chart, hmmmm, I guess it could work for some writers. I have read some books which seem to follow a formula and I was not a huge fan of any of them.
But, I have read books which made me laugh and some of those same books made me weep. I have read books which introduced me to characters I wished were people I knew. I have read books which made me think about ideas and what they taught me for a very long time. Many of those ideas stayed with me.
I believe the books I
I have read books which made me love them and treasure them. And I am pretty sure that they were not written by some chart or formula.
I believe the books I treasured were written by authors with talent and skill. But, I am a mere reader, so what do I know.
Well I have read in more than one place that there are a limited number of plots. But, a chart, hmmmm, I guess it could work for some writers. I have read some books which seem to follow a formula and I was not a huge fan of any of them.
But, I have read books which made me laugh and some of those same books made me weep. I have read books which introduced me to characters I wished were people I knew. I have read books which made me think about ideas and what they taught me for a very long time. Many of those ideas stayed with me.
I believe the books I
I have read books which made me love them and treasure them. And I am pretty sure that they were not written by some chart or formula.
I believe the books I treasured were written by authors with talent and skill. But, I am a mere reader, so what do I know.
Well I have read in more than one place that there are a limited number of plots. But, a chart, hmmmm, I guess it could work for some writers. I have read some books which seem to follow a formula and I was not a huge fan of any of them.
But, I have read books which made me laugh and some of those same books made me weep. I have read books which introduced me to characters I wished were people I knew. I have read books which made me think about ideas and what they taught me for a very long time. Many of those ideas stayed with me.
I believe the books I
I have read books which made me love them and treasure them. And I am pretty sure that they were not written by some chart or formula.
I believe the books I treasured were written by authors with talent and skill. But, I am a mere reader, so what do I know.
Well I have read in more than one place that there are a limited number of plots. But, a chart, hmmmm, I guess it could work for some writers. I have read some books which seem to follow a formula and I was not a huge fan of any of them.
But, I have read books which made me laugh and some of those same books made me weep. I have read books which introduced me to characters I wished were people I knew. I have read books which made me think about ideas and what they taught me for a very long time. Many of those ideas stayed with me.
I believe the books I
I have read books which made me love them and treasure them. And I am pretty sure that they were not written by some chart or formula.
I believe the books I treasured were written by authors with talent and skill. But, I am a mere reader, so what do I know.
Yes – loved that show!
Yes – loved that show!
Yes – loved that show!
Yes – loved that show!
Yes – loved that show!
After reading romance novels of various genres for oh about 30+ years, let me tell you, I can tell the difference the book that is written to a form and which comes from the imagination. The plot is important, but so are the relationships, the conflict, and the most important emotions –and how they affect the reader. There are a few books that stand up to reading again and again. there are the few that bring tears to the eyes though there is nothing visual except words. So PLOTTO is fine but it definitely needs a lot more and that will keep the readers hopeful and reading.
After reading romance novels of various genres for oh about 30+ years, let me tell you, I can tell the difference the book that is written to a form and which comes from the imagination. The plot is important, but so are the relationships, the conflict, and the most important emotions –and how they affect the reader. There are a few books that stand up to reading again and again. there are the few that bring tears to the eyes though there is nothing visual except words. So PLOTTO is fine but it definitely needs a lot more and that will keep the readers hopeful and reading.
After reading romance novels of various genres for oh about 30+ years, let me tell you, I can tell the difference the book that is written to a form and which comes from the imagination. The plot is important, but so are the relationships, the conflict, and the most important emotions –and how they affect the reader. There are a few books that stand up to reading again and again. there are the few that bring tears to the eyes though there is nothing visual except words. So PLOTTO is fine but it definitely needs a lot more and that will keep the readers hopeful and reading.
After reading romance novels of various genres for oh about 30+ years, let me tell you, I can tell the difference the book that is written to a form and which comes from the imagination. The plot is important, but so are the relationships, the conflict, and the most important emotions –and how they affect the reader. There are a few books that stand up to reading again and again. there are the few that bring tears to the eyes though there is nothing visual except words. So PLOTTO is fine but it definitely needs a lot more and that will keep the readers hopeful and reading.
After reading romance novels of various genres for oh about 30+ years, let me tell you, I can tell the difference the book that is written to a form and which comes from the imagination. The plot is important, but so are the relationships, the conflict, and the most important emotions –and how they affect the reader. There are a few books that stand up to reading again and again. there are the few that bring tears to the eyes though there is nothing visual except words. So PLOTTO is fine but it definitely needs a lot more and that will keep the readers hopeful and reading.
Thank you, Margaret! Not a rant at all but a very thoughtful and articulate comment on the essence of creativity. Chart, outlines, guides—they can lay out all the mechanics. But it’s all meaningless without real passion tat brings the characters and conflict to life.
Thank you, Margaret! Not a rant at all but a very thoughtful and articulate comment on the essence of creativity. Chart, outlines, guides—they can lay out all the mechanics. But it’s all meaningless without real passion tat brings the characters and conflict to life.
Thank you, Margaret! Not a rant at all but a very thoughtful and articulate comment on the essence of creativity. Chart, outlines, guides—they can lay out all the mechanics. But it’s all meaningless without real passion tat brings the characters and conflict to life.
Thank you, Margaret! Not a rant at all but a very thoughtful and articulate comment on the essence of creativity. Chart, outlines, guides—they can lay out all the mechanics. But it’s all meaningless without real passion tat brings the characters and conflict to life.
Thank you, Margaret! Not a rant at all but a very thoughtful and articulate comment on the essence of creativity. Chart, outlines, guides—they can lay out all the mechanics. But it’s all meaningless without real passion tat brings the characters and conflict to life.
Annette,I think you know exactly what is at the heart of a good book, and all the reasons we read them!
Annette,I think you know exactly what is at the heart of a good book, and all the reasons we read them!
Annette,I think you know exactly what is at the heart of a good book, and all the reasons we read them!
Annette,I think you know exactly what is at the heart of a good book, and all the reasons we read them!
Annette,I think you know exactly what is at the heart of a good book, and all the reasons we read them!
Prema, I think we all agree that formulas are all very well as a basic “guideline.” but they will never create a memorable book without imagination from the author.
Prema, I think we all agree that formulas are all very well as a basic “guideline.” but they will never create a memorable book without imagination from the author.
Prema, I think we all agree that formulas are all very well as a basic “guideline.” but they will never create a memorable book without imagination from the author.
Prema, I think we all agree that formulas are all very well as a basic “guideline.” but they will never create a memorable book without imagination from the author.
Prema, I think we all agree that formulas are all very well as a basic “guideline.” but they will never create a memorable book without imagination from the author.
“Paladin” is the French word for “the fixer”. Can also be translated as “knight”.
“Paladin” is the French word for “the fixer”. Can also be translated as “knight”.
“Paladin” is the French word for “the fixer”. Can also be translated as “knight”.
“Paladin” is the French word for “the fixer”. Can also be translated as “knight”.
“Paladin” is the French word for “the fixer”. Can also be translated as “knight”.