Building a good story is a sensitive craft, and plotting forward effectively is key to maintaining the attention of readers. Fiction writers—regardless of whether they are writing literary fiction, fantasy, or science fiction—use a set of techniques that they depend on in order to propel their stories forward. This article discusses the most influential factors affecting plot development, the balancing acts involved when weighing these factors, and the special challenges faced by professional fiction writers.
Key Factors in Advancing the Plot
1. Character-Driven Actions and Motivations
Characters are the pulse of any narrative. Their motivations, choices, and inner struggles drive the action forward. As well discussed in Balancing Plot and Character: The Key to Engaging Stories, characters’ actions need to be based on their motivations and weaknesses, so a cause-and-effect chain is formed that defines the story. A character’s craving for revenge, for instance, can push them toward taking decisions that lead to increased tension and propel the story towards its climax.
Tradeoffs: Focusing too heavily on character introspection can slow the plot, while poorly developed characters can make the story sound mechanistic.
Challenges: Having characters’ decisions feel real while contributing to the greater plot demands thorough knowledge of their psychology and history.
2. Plot Structure and Pacing
A well-built plot has a trajectory that builds momentum. Devices include:
- Inciting Incident: A disruption to the status quo (e.g., a stolen relic in a thriller).
- Rising Action: Obstacles which raise stakes, like a detective finding clues or a hero dealing with moral conflict.
- Climax and Resolution: The reward of previous setups, settling main conflicts but with room for character development.
- Tradeoffs: Formulaic strict adherence to structure (e.g., the Hero’s Journey) will kill creativity, but too experimental pacing will lose readers.
- Challenges: Sustaining tension throughout subplots without bogging down the main plot.
3. Setting as a Catalyst
Setting is not just a background but an active force that drives the plot. For example, a dystopian metropolis may limit characters’ liberties, compelling them to revolt, whereas a remote island may increase survival stakes 5. In science fiction, world-building is often the plot—examining how advanced technology or alien cultures fuel conflict.
Tradeoffs: Excessive descriptions of setting can drag pacing, whereas underdeveloped worlds undermine immersion.
Challenges: Finding a balance between originality and familiarity (e.g., not clichéd “medieval Europe” fantasy worlds).
4. Conflict and Stakes
Conflict drives plot forward. Internal (a character’s inner turmoil) or external (an impending war), it instills urgency. As What Makes a Good Plot? points out, ratcheting up challenges and “being mean” to characters—putting them in crises—engages readers more deeply.
Tradeoffs: Too much conflict tires readers out, and too little stakes renders the plot irrelevant.
Challenges: Ensuring conflicts conform to genre expectations (e.g., romance vs. thriller).
Balancing Act: Plot-Driven vs. Character-Driven Narratives
The plot-driven vs. character-driven conundrum is a constant challenge. Plot-driven tales (prevalent in thrillers and sci-fi) center on action and external occurrences, whereas character-driven stories emphasize emotional journeys and interpersonal relationships.
Tradeoffs:
- Plot-Driven: Risk shallow characters but provide high-paced thrills.
- Character-Driven: Risk slow pacing but provide emotional depth.
- Solution: Hybrid solutions, where character choices drive plot developments (e.g., Elizabeth Bennet’s denial of Mr. Collins’ offers both her and the romantic narrative).
Genre-Specific Considerations
Science Fiction: World-Building as Plot
Professional science fiction writers have distinctive challenges:
- Integration of Technology: Futuristic themes (e.g., time travel) need to propel the narrative without turning into gimmicks. For instance, in Foundation, predictions of society collapse organize the story.
- Ethical Conundrums: Advanced technology typically brings moral challenges (e.g., AI rights), necessitating plots to grapple with ramifications.
- Challenges: Describing intricacies without dumping information.
Literary Fiction: Subtlety and Subtext
Hiring fiction writers of literary genres commonly value thematic resonance. Plots can develop via symbolic action (e.g., a recurring symbol of loss) instead of action.
Tradeoffs: Risk losing readers who desire page-turners.
The Role of Professional Writers
Employing professional writers can simplify plot creation. They offer:
- Structural Prowess: Familiarity with templates such as the Snowflake Method or the 8-Point Story Arc.
- Genre Knowledge: Awareness of tropes (e.g., “chosen one” stories) yet subverting clichés.
- Pacing Mastery: Cutting filler scenes and bolstering momentum.
Conclusion
Developing a plot isn’t a matter of picking between character, conflict, or structure—it’s a matter of combining them into a coherent tapestry. Whether writing a space opera or chamber drama, writers need to balance these things and keep in mind genre expectations and audience needs. By drawing on the abilities of fiction writers or developing their own abilities, authors can write stories that stick with readers long after the last page.
