R. L. LaFevers: The Plot is NOT the Story

Tuesday, December 15, 2009

The Plot is NOT the Story

Posted by Robin L

It seems I have to learn this lesson at least once with every book I write:

The plot is not the story. The plot is simply (ha! nothing simple about plotting!) the device or vehicle that gets all the elements together so that the real story can happen.

The real story is the characters and relationships and growth that take place because of the plot.

I swear to god, I'm going to get that tattooed on the back of my hand where I can see it 139 times a day.

5 comments:

Katy Cooper said...: Is it any comfort that I still don't really get it? Probably not, but there you go anyway...; 12/15/2009 12:46:00 PM
Anonymous said...: Oh my goodness! Robin, a gigantic light bulb just went off over my head. Thanks so much for posting this! I am soooo looking forward to your workshop in February because of bejeweled noggin nuggets like this one!
Rebecca Langston-George; 12/15/2009 01:28:00 PM
Stella said...: You are so right! The story is about the characters and how they interact and grow and the plot should grow out of that. Maybe I should hang it on the wall above my desk. Thanks for the reminder.; 12/15/2009 02:57:00 PM
Robin L said...: Yes Katy, it is great comfort, for you are very wise and if it's hard for you to remember, then us lesser mortals can easily be forgiven. :-)

Hi Rebecca! So glad to see you here! And I am WAY looking forward to the Bakersfield workshop.

Stella, you're welcome. :-); 12/15/2009 05:36:00 PM
inkgrrl said...: A lightbulb went off and then it 'splodeyed in my face. I'll just think of this as a writerly zen koan, shall I? Otherwise it will become an Unhealthy Obsession to figure out. Maybe the next book I'll get it...; 12/17/2009 03:24:00 PM