"But My Plot Isn’t UNIQUE Or BIG Enough!”

"But my Plot isn’t UNIQUE or BIG enough!”

One thing that I worry about is that my plot isn’t good enough. I know lots of other writers who have had this issue in the past as well, and it’s all about having confidence in yourself and your ability to tell a tale.

The plot doesn’t have to be groundbreaking, just think of how many people get fed up of Shyamalan twist-endings. They’re clever sometimes, yes, but they’re also not what everyone ever is looking for, and when they are forced into a piece of work it is painfully obvious to anyone who really values what you’ve written.

What matters is the telling of the story. Your plot can be exceptionally simple, and you might write one of the most compelling books of our era.

I found one thing that helped was to look at other works, and try and break them down into their very, very simplistic terms - the bare bones, the things the author would have decided up front perhaps. The things that… if told without the wonder of the story, might have been boring.

Like A Song of Ice and Fire, for example, which tells the stories of Political struggle against a backdrop of Ice creatures who can raise the dead and force them to attack you. It’s basically a Socio-Political zombie apocalypse, with dragons. That could have gone either way; as it was, it went amazingly. Because Martin is a master of making every character a person, and building such a rich, colourful world that we believe it.

So, what I’ve done is looked at a very popular work that spans multiple books. Harry Potter is widely known, so this should be useful to as many people as possible. It is also praised as one of the most in depth and atmospheric works for children, young people, adults, or just about anyone, having been translated, adapted and studied over and over.

HARRY POTTER BREAKDOWN

Bread and Butter

So, when I asked Google what the heck the plot of Harry Potter was, I got this;

This is what I’m going to call the BREAD AND BUTTER of the story. It’s what happens in the day-to-day of the story. It’s perhaps the introduction J. K. would have given when first sending in her manuscript. It’s also a hugely unoriginal idea.

The concept of a young Witch or Wizard attending a magical school where they can learn their abilities has been done before, a lot. It is basically the prmise of books like EarthSea and the Worst Witch.

So next time you think your premise is overdone or uninspired, remember that it doesn’t matter. It’s not the premise that counts, it’s what you do with it. What Rowling did with it was create an in-depth world, full of structures and rules, populated by characters we all loved, hated, felt sorry for or routed for. She also made sure to include a way for us to learn more about the world, so she made her protagonist just as unaware of the wonder and horror as all of us.

Tea

In this case, tea is gonna’ be the conflict of the story. The main arc. Because going to a Wizard School is freaking awesome and everything, but this story needs risk. Our characters need to be in danger, and they need something to overcome. Often writers get stuck here. They have a wonderful setting and they really want to write about their character doing this or that, but what’s the main goal? What is there to overcome?

Very simply, Rowling’s villain is a man who wishes to purify the progression of magic by weeding out those who’s blood he see’s as tainted. He is a Hitler-figure, who himself should be ‘tainted’ in his own view. That’s the villain’s GOAL. It’s clear, and simple.

If you think your villains goal is too simple, just look at Voldemort’s goal. What makes it more complex are the many twists and turns he and Harry both have to adapt too. His many failures, as well.

Voldemort fits into many tropes, including the bad guy ‘selling his soul’ to achieve a vain goal, the bad guy murdering the heroes’ parents, the ‘more like you than you think’ trope, where a Villain and a hero are quite similar. I especailly like that last one, because J. K. played with it. Yes, she included it, and yes she gave a magical reason as to why.

That just shows that unique elements can be added on to overdone ideas, to make them wonderful.

Jam and Cream

This is where Rowling turns her simple ideas into something beautiful. Whether an idea is original or not, it will not matter if the depth is not there. Jam and Cream stands for all the little things.

The fact one of the most hated antagonists was only a prime player in one book but left such an impression, the fact Hermione was disliked by the main characters at first, the fact Neville was the cowardly laughing stock of the group for years. Let’s see… The fact Sybil was right about almost all of her predictions and no one believed her, thus linking her with the Mythological figure Cassandra.

The use of diversion and tension in The Prisoner of Azkaban, the fact that Harry’s own father was rather arrogant and mean at times, yet still a good person. The moral ambiguity of characters like Dumbledore or Snape.

And…

That isn’t even naming the things the books got wrong. Because every author makes mistakes. Yes! You’re allowed too! J. K. has Dumbledore play the ‘I’m going to withhold information from you for the sake of the plot,’ card. We are also supposed to believe Harry forgave everything Snape ever did and named his son after him because he rather fancied his mother. Many issues are left unaddressed, such as the disinterest/damn right rudeness towards Hagrid in the final years, or the silly quest over the fake Sword.

But in the end, if the story is told masterfully, no one is going to care.

Basically, what I’m trying to say is, if you plot is overdone, don’t worry about it. If your world feels familiar, do more to make it your own. If your villain feels like a trope, give them more twists and turns, and maybe a reason for the trope that fits your world alone. If your characters feel stale, give them more scenes that address their personality.

You’re doing fine, and your manuscript is totally fine. If you believe it in, there’s gonna’ be at least a hundred more people who would too.

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writing writing tips writing advice novels being a writer

That random person you met online and now is a big part of your life

@sinedra

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sinedra

8 years ago

I'm not even slightly sorry.

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sinedra

8 years ago

In light of my recent writer positivity, have this post from a year ago that I almost forgot about.

Never let anyone tell you that you can’t write. You are NEVER: too young, too old, too mature, too naive, too uneducated, too intelligent, too unoriginal, or too boring.

ANYONE can be a writer and EVERYONE is just as qualified as published authors.

You don’t have to have an english/literature/creative writing degree to magically make you worthy enough to try. Many published authors just picked it up after their day jobs, did it for a hobby. If they can do it, you can as well.

No one can stop you unless you let them, yours is the only opinion that should matter. So write your fanfiction, your novella, short story, screen play, or novel. Don’t give a damn about what the naysayers believe. Be fucking proud of every word you put down on the page (yes, even horrible rough drafts) because you’re amazing.

You ARE a writer. Be proud of that.

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writing writing advice positivity tips writer positivity

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sinedra

8 years ago

I try to keep this just writing, and this is a little late, but holy cow do they not look amazing. @janeopries look at our dorks! It’s perfect.

Sadira and Ulyesses commissioned by @sinedra

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perfection dragon age inquisition dragon age sadira ulysdira Ulyesses sine speaks it really is amazing ugh the detail in it is great She's so pretty and he looks like the loveable asshat he is

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sinedra

10 years ago

Erotica vs. Porn.

Warning: this is not my area of expertise and more of an observation. Dime store romance novels get a bad rep, being called “porn for woman”. I disagree but that doesn’t mean I like it. It usually feature the damsel in distress being rescued by the perfectly built hero (who usually is a vigilante or a mysterious stranger). I wouldn’t call them porn, most only have short sex scenes that last for a page or two and are done. Mostly, they’re the same plot with cardboard cut-out characters. Notice the key word? Plot.

Erotica has a plot, a story. No matter how overdone and unoriginal it is story driven. Sex does not fill it cover-to-cover. This doesn’t excuse shoddy writing but it is it’s one saving grace (granted there are some good ones).

Again, don’t be mistaken, erotica is it’s own genre. If you find a book in the fantasy section and it has sex in it, it’s still fantasy. Erotic specifically aims to incorporate sex and sexual tension; it’s the promise of at least one intimate, explicitly detailed (but for the most part tastefully worded), romantic moment between the two main characters. Another key word: romantic.

Porn is not tasteful. Porn is beginning to end sex with hardly any plot, or a horrible plot. There does not need to be any romance. The writing, more often than not, make dime store novels look like a “New York Times Best Seller”.

If you enjoy porn, it’s your life and your choice. I’m not trying to criticize a person’s life, but I bring this up for a few simple reasons: 1) Porn does not need to be video or images, stories can also be porn. 2) Woman in Erotica at least are (for the ones I’ve read) truly loved and are in love. Some are even very independent characters and CAN be likeable. Woman in porn are not like this. They are weak and submissive, bribed or coerced into their relationships. 3) Again, erotica is story driven with a fairly solid (no matter how dull) of a plot. They go through editors and a publishing house to end up on shelves. Porn is written strictly for the sex with little to no imagination put into it. The writing not up to par with erotica. 4) Fifty Shades of Gray is porn and, I admit, the reason for my post.

Sorry if this is overdone, but Fifty Shades of Gray is NOT erotica. It may be published, but it’s all about the sex with no plot. The romance is more of a hoax as Anastasia IS brided back into a relationship with Gray and emotionally blackmailed. And really guys, what other proof do you need than it was a Twilight fanfiction that was even less story and all sex.

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writing my opinion contrast clarification fifty shades of grey erotica vs porn fifty shades of abuse fifty shades of grey is not erotica don't know what else to tag but i hate that series i dont support fifty shades of gray i hate fifty shades of grey

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sinedra

3 years ago

FOR UKRAINIANS WANTING TO GET TO POLAND

You can take your animals with you, they only need to be vaccinated against rabies and have a microchip. Know that there are vets on the border that are vaccinating animals.

Kids are able to enter without documents. They won't be separated from their parents.

You need any kind of identification to enter right now, doesn't have to be a passport.

Covid vaccines are available for people that are entering

There is also no quarantine after you enter

Please stay safe

Edit: people started to ask for sources so I'm happy to provide them

https://www.wetgiw.gov.pl/main/aktualnosci/Tymczasowa-procedura-przemieszczania-zwierzat-towarzyszacych-z-terytorium-Ukrainy-na-teren-Polski-przez-osoby-nie-posiadajace-kompletu-dokumentow-weterynaryjnych-dla-psow-kotow-i-fretek/idn:1999

https://www.strazgraniczna.pl/pl/aktualnosci/informacje-o-granicy-polsko-uk/9870,Zniesiona-kwarantanna-na-granicy-z-UA.html

https://www.gov.pl/web/udsc/ukraina-en

https://www.gov.pl/web/zdrowie/szczepienia-przeciw-covid-19-cudzoziemcow-narodowosci-ukrainskiej

All of them are official government or border guard website

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ukraine Poland stand with ukraine russian invasion 2022 not writing advice

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sinedra

9 years ago

*cracks knuckles* Are you ready? 1, 5, 10, 12, 17, 22, 26, and 29!

Yay! Thanks for the ask!

1. The System?Alphabetical, if a series doesn’t have the title name in it (i.e. Harry Potter) than I still keep keep it shelved next to the first.

5. The largest and smallest book you own?The largest: The World of Thedas Vol. 2The smallest: The Pocket New Testament

10. Favorite graphic novel?The Last Unicorn graphic novel. Lovely art to go with a beautiful story.

12. Inconsistent editions within a series?Actually, yes. I have one larger book in the Lioness Quartet by Tamora Pierce and one really large copy of the Lord of the Rings and a tiny Hobbit.

17. Book you bought because of cover design?Most of them. Is that sad? I think it’s very sad. If a cover doesn’t intrest me, I’m not likely to pick it up without a recommendation.

22. A reoccurring intrest/theme?Fantasy. I loooove fantasy. Granted I will often go to the YA section, but you can never beat fantasy.

26. A book you would prescribe to an aspiring author?The Harry Potter Series. I know that seems like an odd answer, but I have several reasons.1) Harry Potter is a beloved series for every age.2) J.K. Rowling started at rock-bottom, a single mother who wrote when she could fit it in. Many publishing companies rejected her until one finally gave her a shot. Afterwards, her books were so popular that they are in almost every country and have been translated into several languages. Movies have been made of them.3) J.K. has literally gone from no one to one of the most influential authors of our age. If she can do it anyone can.

Nothing has been as inspiring as her legacy.

29. Favorite book from childhood?Anything Dr. Seuss.

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sinedra

3 years ago

TO UKRAINIAN FRIENDS

If you are looking for an emergency exit from Ukraine, Poland will open EIGHT safety points on the border with Ukraine (you will get warm food, medical help and from there you will be guided to safety) in two of our voivodeships: lubuskie and podkarpackie. It is confirmed by the Polish Secretary of State in the Chancellery of the Prime Minister, Paweł Szefernaker.

SOURCES:

https://www.rp.pl/konflikty-zbrojne/art35748991-szefernaker-na-granicy-z-ukraina-powstaja-punkty-recepcyjne-dla-uchodzcow

https://www.wprost.pl/polityka/10633681/polska-reaguje-na-agresje-rosji-na-ukraine-powstana-punkty-dla-uchodzcow.html

I've marked those voivodeships on the map!

Please share because it can save lives!!!!!!

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signal boost ukraine Poland help each other stand with ukraine

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sinedra

10 years ago

Writing Tip 1

Try actually writing on paper before you type it. Your hands have a harder time of getting ahead and nothing is more fulfilling than using an entire notebook for your stories.

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writing writing tips Advice tips

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