Creating Plot Lines

Hola,

When I started my first book I admit I knew nothing about plot lines. I just knew how it opened, the first plot twist and that's just about it. I just developed my book very slowly scene by scene as I wrote.

I was lucky, a while after I started my book I started to read blogs about what your book needs, about 3-D characters. All these things that makes a novel a good novel. When I read these blogs I noticed that I naturally do what they instructed. I kept reading them and I figured out that I was doing wrong.

I am now working on my second book. I am completely changing my process. First thing, I do basic research for things I know I will need right away. Second, I start a borderline basic plot line. I want to know the first thing that is going to happen, the hill, the climax, and the end. Lastly, I go chapter by chapter figuring out the main thing I want to happen in each chapter.

Notice how my process has taken a 180 degree turn. I'm actually pretty happy about this process. I feel like I'm in control of my book. Whereas before I was completely lost and frustrated. This way I am relaxed and I still have the joy of trying to figure out each scene. Also developing new characters that is going to be a challenge. An exciting one though.

The true hassle is going to be my main character. I'm going to have to completely manipulate her to get what I need. I kind of feel bad about it, but it's necessary. Muahahahaha.

Thanking for tuning in RawLitCom: True Confessions of an Aspiring Author