Rock Your Plot: A Simple System for Plotting Your Novel (Rock Your Writing Book 1)

To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. To ask other readers questions about Rock Your Plot , please sign up. Lists with This Book. Mar 27, Alex Ristea rated it it was amazing Shelves: In case you didn't know, I'm currently writing a novel. And well, it's hard. Especially when you read a lot, and are constantly exposed to quality writing by masters of the craft. This is an invaluable book for anyone who's starting out. It's short, cheap, and effective.

There's no reason this shouldn't be in your library. View all 5 comments. Feb 08, Tricia Skinner rated it it was amazing Shelves: I've read so many writing craft books, I could open my own online store. That made me nervous about this book. Would it give me anything new? Would the information be applicable to my writing style? Did I have to learn a completely foreign way to write? I've read enough books that offer a solution to plots, characters, scenes, etc. Most require me to change percent of myself to I've read so many writing craft books, I could open my own online store.

Most require me to change percent of myself to make it work. Rock Your Plot did not. Rock Your Plot gives you a way to organize your novel's major plot points. If you're not a plotter, this is where your brain freezes. It's the same as having the author sit across from you with a notepad, asking about your characters' goals, motivation, conflicts, etc. My favorite part was quickly nailing the actual plot points. Yardley gave such clear and concrete descriptions of what they are and how to pull mine out of my head.

I finished Rock Your Plot with a fully realized plot to my story. I saw the weak areas immediately thank God and shored them up. I also noticed where the hero and heroine's romantic arc lacked tension. Again, a great thing to see and fix before I started writing. That would make it a Bible, Koran, or Torah. Yardley's guide is fabulous for writers of all genres. Sep 11, Jen rated it really liked it Recommended to Jen by: I've always been a pantser when it comes to writing but that turned into a bit of a disaster after finishing the rough draft of my first novel which seriously lacked a plot.

My friend got me this book after I freaked out during rewrites--I can't thank her enough. The examples are simple and clear, easy to visualize and often very funny. My only issue was the numerou I've always been a pantser when it comes to writing but that turned into a bit of a disaster after finishing the rough draft of my first novel which seriously lacked a plot.

My only issue was the numerous glaring grammar errors and typos. I find that unacceptable in a book about the craft of writing sorry, but I just expect more. Otherwise it was a great short read. May 28, N. Loved, loved, loved this book. It explains the essentials of plotting in a condense, simple way that had eluded me in the past. When I read the intro I was ready to break out in hives because plot has always been one of those really difficult concepts for me. I just can't seem to get the hang of them, no matter how much I read up. Yardley with this amazing and detailed explanation of all the necessary cogs you need to get that plotting machine working.

Can't wait to use these techniq Loved, loved, loved this book. Can't wait to use these techniques on my novel. Overall, a must have for anyone out there suffering from plot problems. Oct 04, Danny Tyran rated it really liked it Shelves: This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. If you end the story with one or both of the protagonists dying, you could have a great book, but you will also have a mob of angry readers who were expecting the HEA Happily Ever After that this genre guarantees. And I mean everything.

The second half is about taking steps to solve the problem. What is the absolute worst thing that can happen in terms of his goal? Figuring a way out of them. A pinch point is: In a series, different novels might be owned by different characters. The author explains that until the resolution, the MC should never get exactly what he wants. This is a way to get your readers flipping pages and desperately seeking an answer. As they make choices, their avenues of opportunity start to close off Once that happens, the climax is right around the corner But what if you prefer to wander, to let your keyboard nearly work by itself?

Then, pick an arbitrary number of scenes. Then, create the empty outline using sticky notes or spreadsheet. Pop in the plot points. Fill in the set-up scenes. POV MC ; 2. Goal what the MC wants ; 3. Conflict obstacle ; 5. Look at the outline overall: But you should also I only left out the rather interesting examples that the author added to illuminate those subjects.

The structure of the book deserves to be revised as some points are repeated to be explained in more detail; the author might as well have it done right the first time the subject has been addressed. There are a few typos, especially missing spaces between words. This book can be useful for a novice writer or a seasoned author, but lacking in methodology, especially if what you want is a greater number of sales rather than the improvement of your creativity and writing quality.

But as this is what the author wanted to deal with, I think the book is quite successful. I give 4 stars to this ebook. Oct 18, Caitlyn Lynch rated it it was amazing Shelves: Where Rock Your Plot differs from other plotting books is that it is unashamedly aimed at genre read; popular fiction.

She knows how to plot out a romance novel scene by scene, to make it hit all the correct beats at the right times, and in Rock Your Plot she shares a really simple method for doing so. Starting with a one-line story premise and building on through to an outline of every single scene up to 60! Following the methods outlined in Rock Your Plot could take you as little as a day to plot out a full novel, and it will speed up your writing incredibly. Five stars for a writing resource I can honestly say has really changed for the better the way I go about my writing.

May 10, Tonia Harris rated it it was amazing. I wrote my first few novels unpublished and properly burped in their Tupperware containers completely by, well, the seat of my pants. And draft from draft they went from unwieldy to things resembling octopi on hallucinogens. They died that way. Leaving ink trails everywhere. My goal with this new story is to make good art, to tell this story I have loved for years now. My motivation is a need to get a story in front of readers, a worthy story.

There may also be a little ego involved. The confli I wrote my first few novels unpublished and properly burped in their Tupperware containers completely by, well, the seat of my pants. The conflict was my utter stubbornness concerning actual outlining. I pulled out this book, this book I bought years ago, and now I am on my way to completing an outline, scene by scene. It only hurt a little bit and you know what? I have more confidence in this story than ever before and my Voice and Integrity are utterly uncompromised.

So, thanks Cathy Yardley. Keep on rockin' in the free world. Jan 28, Alexis rated it it was amazing Shelves: I found "Rock Your Plot" to be extremely helpful, and I really got a lot out of it. The explanations are clear and straightforward, and the examples are quick and concise. I like knowing exactly which portions to highlight so I can review the text later and focus only on what I need. It's a quick read, easy to follow, and you can't beat the price. Whether you're a plotter or a pantser, I'd recommend giving this a try. After reading this, I feel like I have a clearer sense of what I'm doing with I found "Rock Your Plot" to be extremely helpful, and I really got a lot out of it.

After reading this, I feel like I have a clearer sense of what I'm doing with the story I'm currently revising. The author has another book, "Rock Your Revision," which I plan to read, too. Jan 03, Lori Watson rated it really liked it. Read this while revising rather than plotting but found it quite helpful. My story has morphed a lot since the first draft. Answering the questions for the simple plotting system got those creative juices flowing to help me get from plot point to plot point in a few areas that weren't flowing well.

Finished this and downloaded her Rock Your Revision e-book, so I obviously found it worthwhile.

No idea why I didn't start with the revision one. Can't remember when I picked up this one probably a s Read this while revising rather than plotting but found it quite helpful. Can't remember when I picked up this one probably a sale? Jun 19, Eliza Baum rated it really liked it Shelves: Short and to the point. I can't say that it's anything revolutionary, but it outlines necessary things in a concise way that's refreshing and makes it an easier reference guide than many bulkier books. Well worth the three bucks it cost me.

Apr 19, Kat rated it it was amazing. This was exactly what I needed to find a way out of my messed-up plotholes. No frills, no information overload, and dow to the point. The midpoint is also an escalation. New information is introduced. The protagonist's options are pruned.

When he gets to the inevitable climax, you want the reader to feel that, given the character he is and the choices he s made, he has no other reasonable option. The Black Moment needs to have a ring of inevitability like a train wreck you can t look away from. To do that, he s got to burn some bridges. Write a brief description of your midpoint. Use your GMC charts, and write what your character has learned and what his action towards achieving the goal is going to be. Also, check to see if the conflict is greater now than it was in plot point 1.

Similar to the midpoint, this usually also has a new information aspect to it. In fact, this should be the last big reveal, and the thing that sets up your last act. What the reader and protagonist learn at this plot point should set the protagonist up for the big dramatic conclusion. No new information after this point. Figure out this point last. I always write the third plot point after I write the Black Moment and Resolution points. Because then I ll know what information needs to be set up by this point, and I ll know what would be the most devastating lead in to the Black Moment will be.

Write down a brief description of your third plot point. I d suggest saving this for after the Black Moment and resolution. The only one that might be easier would be Plot Point 1, because if you don t know that, you don t know your story question. If you know the first plot point, then your question to arrive at the Black Moment is: What is the absolute worst thing that can happen in terms of his goal? Now, note that this can be your internal or external story goal. Develop internal conflict by forcing the protagonist make a tough choice, one at the expense of the other: Go for the soul-crush.

Write down a soul-crushing Black Moment. Make sure that it ties in to the character s GMC, either internal, external, or both.

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Figuring a way out of them. How to resolve a soul-crushing Black Moment. Keep an open mind. You might not get the answer you re looking for, but your brain will probably click into an answer trying to defend whatever it is your subconscious wants. Take a little breather, give yourself some space, and believe that you re going to find the solution.

Write down how the story resolves. What is your ending? Does it tie up all loose ends necessary in this novel? Write down Pinch Point 1 and Pinch Point two for your novel. Your character background for at least the protagonists 2. Your character GMC charts again, for at least the protagonists 3.

Write a scene outline of every scene you think will be in the book. Each scene supports the story as a whole. And if things go wrong, you will have a diagram that shows you why. Then, pick an arbitrary number of scenes. Then, create the empty outline. Pop in the plot points. What each scene note in the outline should contain. You should have the goal-motive-conflict-disaster or "GMCD" pattern in every scene, and the sequel either at the beginning or at the end of an existing GMCD scene. In my scene outlines, I include the following information: I want to know who the main POV character is, because that s whose scene goal I m looking at.

What does the POV character want? Why does the POV character want it so badly? What s standing in the way? This is the no, yes-but, or no-and-furthermore. Unless it s a resolution scene, every scene is going to end in a disaster. On my website, I will include a full scene outline for one of my old novels, with this level of detail, just so you can get a sense of how it looks and what s involved.

Sample Scene Outline Players Club. You have a full road map, you know where your story goes in theory and you re ready to rock a quick-and-dirty lightning draft. Once you re in the draft, you may notice that things change: Look at the outline overall: That said, it s usually a matter of tweaking, here and there. Little notes to remind yourself, or a few new sticky notes, and you ll be good to go. And that s it. It s a relatively brief fictional narrative in prose. Short usually 10 pages max.

Skills students should demonstrate by the end of the 2 nd 9- weeks of school: Student will understand that authors use point of view to. Ghost Story Assignment For our purposes, a ghost story is a work of fiction that contains some element of the supernatural. Our ghost story will contain some of the structural limits that were common to. Using what you have learned about short stories over the past month, you will write a short story with a "twist".

Using what you have learned about short stories over the past month, you will write a short story of your own. Aimee Kasprzyk- Hillsboro kasprzyk hillsboroisd. Choose literature that provides something more than just escapism, but don t just go. The setting can influence. How to Write a Novel: The Essential Elements of Writing a Romance Novel by Leigh Michaels Even if you re a seat-of-the-pants, explore-as-you-go sort of writer, there are a few things you need to know about your story before. The Elements of Fiction Fiction Where do stories come from?

Some are whispered in the glow of a campfire. Others are discovered in a book. Wherever you find them, all stories begin in someone's imagination. Critical analysis Be more critical! That s what my tutors say about my essays.

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I m not really sure what they mean. I thought I had written a really good assignment this time. The Journey Second Semester Theme: Independent thinkers construct meaning through language. Fiction D24 These questions will help you understand any story you read. For more advanced, in-depth analysis of each element, use the following frames: Setting Plot Author s Craft.

Page1 Independent Short Story Project: The First Seven Years By: Bernard Malamud Notes Background information Author: Bernard Malamud known for writing stories about characters redeemed by love. Wrote short stories and several. Personal Narrative Essay where you, the writer, has the right to say whatever you want about your own personal experiences!

Very Little Mystery There is no perfect topic for a personal narrative essay.

Rock Your Plot: A Simple System for Plotting Your Novel by Cathy Yardley

The Diary of Anne Frank: Narratives include short stories, novels, and dramas. Then read pages 1 24 in the novel. When you finish your reading, study the. What is a play? What are basic elements of a play script? What kind of character does your group wish to write about? Story and Novel Terms 9 This list of terms is a building block that will be further developed in future grades. It contains the terms you are responsible for learning in your grade nine year. Bellringer Assemble your learning journal Essential Questions What can we do to be more accepting of differences?

How can we show. Opening Image A brief who of the hero 2: Catalyst The thing that sets the story in motion 5: Break Into Two The essence of the story and poster Page 1 7: This type of story must include a well-planned story line, with details that occur in chronological order, character. Little Red Riding Hood. What, Why, and How? Although each of the three major literary genres, fiction, drama,. Read the following prompt carefully and RUTO it below. For centuries, myths helped the early Greeks understand phenomena, or. Using games to support students.

Lesson Objective Vocabulary Reviewed Vocabulary Instructional Materials Comprehension Students will track the development and resolution of a conflict in literature. Learn the Fast Fiction Technique By: Lori Ann Bloomfield This report is free. Read it, use it and share it with the world under the. We could not have written it better and decided to use this wellprepared description of the STAR method. Most chord books are packed full hundreds of chord diagrams, so many in fact it could take literally years to play.

Ann Walters, author of Books on the Table. Leanpub empowers authors and. PLOT Plot refers to what happens. Your child will select a mystery chapter book that. Independent Reading Assignment Overview I used this assignment with great success when I taught in middle school.

I wanted an assignment that would emphasize actually finishing books instead of looking. How to Become Fluent in Welsh: It could also be divided. The Six Traits approach to writing. See attached chart of memoir characteristics. Lesson Plan 5 Global Title: In this lesson, the participants will: Demonstrate an understanding of conflict resolution strategies. Which part of the plot do these characters facial expressions show? The exposition when they learn about each other, and the conflict when their jealousy begins.

Make Connections Good readers note pieces of text that relate to or remind them of: Copyright HeartLand Media All rights reserved. No portion of this work can be reproduced. Wilson Choose one of the stories that we have studied so far in class to answer the question: Literary Elements Student Notes Plot order of events in a narrative or story 4 2 3 5 1 6 7 Plot definition Plot is the organized pattern or sequence of events that make up a story. Every plot is made. In return, I ask that you 1 Have fun! The trouble is, because essays are required by most educational institutions, we must.

Rock Your Plot: A Simple System for Plotting Your Novel Workbook

And now your host, Master Coach Instructor,. Create a story plot. For some stories the setting is very. How to Write a Book Analysis A book analysis is a description, critical analysis, and an evaluation on the quality, meaning, and significance of a book, not a retelling.

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It should focus on the book's purpose,. I m a good person Antagonist This word describes the characters or forces. Elements of a Story From http: Plot concerns the organization. After an extensive search, the research team. One of the many lasting gifts from Ancient Greece is mythology. In a time before scientific advances, the Greeks tried to make sense of their.

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You will learn why taking. This tool is designed to identify typical questions asked and the kinds of answers that demonstrate a concise and thoughtful response. The following are some of the most difficult questions asked during. Discovering the Artistry of Literary Nonfiction: The Metamorphosis by Franz Kafka Objectives: The Play The Play is: Starting point for theatrical production Entity that remains intact after production Blueprint for production or for reader s imagination The play may serve as the basis. Please complete the questionnaire at the end of the packet on another sheet of paper and turn.

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