
PLOT & STRUCTURE – JUNE 2021 – THE MONARCH WRITERS
Reading books about writing is like using recipes to cook for oneself. Of course, you can usually cook something without resorting to checking out a recipe, and following its particular ingredient list, and the baking instructions it says are important for making the meal (book) come out right. But if you want to encourage yourself to eat well, just listening to someone talk about healthy eating can make you try harder. Same with writing: in order to try new things, and to surprise yourself beyond what you thought you could do in the kitchen (at the keyboard), checking out some guidebooks can help develop your craft! Honest!
In June, the Monarch Writers in person meetup is going through the first couple of chapters of this book in particular:
Plot & Structure: Techniques and Exercises for Crafting a Plot That Grips Readers from Start to Finish – by James Scott Bell
The description below tells you what it’s all about. If you are interested in following along, I will post a summary of the first chapter, in the form of a worksheet handout for our meeting before Monday June 7th. Check back for that, and if you want, order yourself a copy of this book to work through.
You are always welcome to come discuss on our
Discord Server.


(Write Great Fiction)
Craft an Engaging Plot
How does plot influence story structure? What’s the difference between plotting for commercial and literary fiction? How do you revise a plot or structure that’s gone off course?
With “Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure,” you’ll discover the answers to these questions and more. Award-winning author James Scott Bell offers clear, concise information that will help you create a believable and memorable plot, including: Techniques for crafting strong beginnings, middles, and endsEasy-to-understand plotting diagrams and chartsBrainstorming techniques for original plot ideasThought-provoking exercises at the end of each chapterStory structure models and methods for all genresTips and tools for correcting common plot problems
Filled with plot examples from popular novels, comprehensive checklists, and practical hands-on guidance, “Write Great Fiction: Plot & Structure” gives you the skills you need to approach plot and structure like an experienced pro.