The following is based on notes taken during Leslie Wyatt's presentation at the November 8, 2008 Missouri SCBWI Conference in St. Charles and also from an article by Ms. Wyatt in the November 2008 edition of CHILDREN'S WRITER magazine.

Plotting, according to author Leslie Wyatt, is "like a necklace: the elements must be strung together well."

A good plot is essential for creating a good story. In order to formulate a strong plot, the writer must make each scene count. Each scene should add to the story, help it progress. And each scene must result from the previous scene. One hinging upon the other, like a carefully orchestrated design of dominoes set to fall. Or as Ms. Wyatt says, "an unbroken line of cause and effect, all leading to an emotional crisis and, ultimately, a satisfying resolution."

If the writer can take an event out of his story and there is no impact to the rest of the story, then the scene is NOT a plot point. Writers can use this knowledge to dissect their stories and cut any superfluous events. In addition to tightening a weak plot, Ms. Wyatt notes each scene should be complete in itself with a "miniature emotional arc."

Author Anastasia Suen presents an easy way to remember this aspect in her chapter book writing class. She tells her students to have each scene begin with a positive or negative emotional value, and by the end of the scene, the emotion should be reversed. Ms. Wyatt explains the arc as having "desire, action, and some aspect of resolution or heightened tension." She also stresses the need to have as many senses represented in a scene (usually a writer can aim for about 3 senses successfully) to make the scene come to life for the reader.

Following is an exercise Ms. Wyatt suggests a writer can use to analyze his plot.
State the main character's goal in one sentence. "What _______ wants most in the world is ________." Then list what the obstacles are to his achieving this goal. Make sure that the protagonist has an equally strong antagonist, attempting to stop him at every step of the way. Of course, the antagonist can be more than one person, or even nature or other causes outside of the protagonist's control. Readers want to journey through the many trials and terrors the hero faces to become a part of the story. Without adequate conflict, such a journey is not possible.

Ms. Wyatt advises the writer to allow the protagonist to make bad choices, which in turn will lead to more conflict, more plot twists, more suspense and deeper reader involvement. But the writer must use a natural progression of events--one thing leading to another. The "what if" phenomenon is a good technique to use when a writer finds himself stuck with a weak plot.  By brainstorming "what if" this or that happens, the writer can open a world of new possibilities for the protagonist to travel. The protagonist's character is revealed to the reader through these plot points.

A strong plot doesn't have to be daunting. With tips like these, a writer can lasso a wayward plot and set it on the path to publication.

Happy Holidays!

Cynthia Reeg
www.cynthiareeg.com