Three-Act Structure
Look to understand the emotional and thematic beats of the story and organize everything around them.
Importance of Theme
A clear thematic focus can help guide the plotting process.
Scene Inventory
List every scene in the book and identify its purpose, how it contributes to character development, and how it ties to the overarching theme.
Plot as Discovery
Focus on the evolution of character and theme and allow the plot to develop in response to these elements.
Architectural Blueprint
Don't follow a fixed formula for structure, but build your own flexible blueprint - the story will evolve naturally while maintaining a solid structure.
Revisions and Rewrites
As new insights into the story unfold, the structure can and should change to better reflect the developing narrative.
Role of Characters
Try to understand each character's motivations, conflicts, and arcs. See how the characters interact with the world and each other to drive the plot forward.
Flexibility over Formula
Plotting and outlining should be flexible - trust the natural flow of the story.