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Lesson 3. The Plot: A Primer │The Mechanics of Fiction Writing
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Lesson 3. The Plot: A Primer │The Mechanics of Fiction Writing

Understanding Plot in Writing

In this section, the speaker discusses the concept of plot in writing and highlights its various aspects and challenges.

Defining Plot

  • The term "plot" is difficult to define as it encompasses multiple elements of storytelling.
  • It includes how a writer manages time, the duration spent on each story element, the amount of action and description, and the sequence of events.
  • Plot is also about what actually happens in the story.

The Complexity of Plot

  • Plot consists of at least five distinct aspects in written narratives.
  • It is challenging to provide a single definition for plot due to its multifaceted nature.
  • However, understanding a writer's intentions with the plot can be guided by their aim to create a dynamic and interesting story world that captivates readers.
Playlists: The Mechanics of Fiction Writing
Video description

A brief explanation of why the word "plot" is both nearly impossible to define and very rarely talked about with the kind of precision necessary to be useful to writers looking to sharpen their understanding of this critical element of fiction. Fortunately for everyone here, over the next several lessons we're going to talk very precisely about what plot is and how you can structure yours to grab and hold your reader's interest. If you're interested in supporting this channel so I can continue to make videos like this one and others, please like, subscribe, and share with other writers. You can also help support the channel directly by visiting: https://www.rowelit.com/support The companion book for this series containing lecture notes and exercises is tailored to sharpen the skills covered in each lesson and is available through my online bookstore: https://www.amazon.com/author/p.e.rowe Purchasing a copy for yourself or a fellow writer helps to support this channel and your own writing skills.