I don’t have an actual plot in White Roses. I realized this after reading and trying to apply the Central Question and Conflict Box lesson from the CruiseMayer Workshop. I couldn’t work out what Serenity’s actual goal and conflict was as the protagonist. I knew exactly what the goal and conflict was for the antagonist though-which made no sense since I originally though that it was part of the bigger plot that was supposed to span the series. And to make matters worse I had nothing to connect the antagonist to Serenity. Everything just kind of happens to my protagonist and she just kind of bobs along. She doesn’t do anything.
So what do I do now? I really need to think about what it is Serenity wants and what the true Central Question is. And if the antagonist is supposed to be part of the secondary story that is going on in the background for this book I need to change who my antagonist is or figure out who the real one is.
Even though this technically puts me back at the beginning I am actually really glad I decided to to see if the Conflict Box works at this stage. It allows me to see what I did wrong and what I need to fix. Granted if I had done this at the onset of writing the initial draft in November I wouldn’t be sitting here typing about my lack of plot right now.
I know I have a great idea. It is exciting. Now I just have to figure out how to translate that idea into something I can plot and write.
4 responses so far ↓
In Sunlight and in Shade // January 13, 2008 at 7:13 pm |
I’m glad you’re excited about it!!! That is really awesome. Will hopefully make the whole process easier. I will follow the link and bravely test my conflicts out… lol
Cheryl // January 13, 2008 at 10:52 pm |
Follow the link! I don’t always agree with all of the “writer workshop” stuff I have read in the past, but this seems to have some merit.
Let me know how it goes.
In Sunlight and in Shade // January 13, 2008 at 11:21 pm |
My conflict works! lol I’m really enjoying reading the story again. Tama suggested I read it through first to get a feel for the whole thing, then read again and make notes etc the second time through. So, going with that! Hoping to get the first read completed today, but it’s always difficult when the man is on early shifts, he’ll be home just after 3pm to disrupt me lol.
Cheryl // January 13, 2008 at 11:38 pm |
I am glad to hear that it works for you! I am still stumped. But that is alright.