Plot

 Main character (who leads the story)

Status Quo (situation at the start)

Motivation (what your character wants)

Initiating incident (what disturbs the status quo)

Developments (what happens next)

Crisis (how things come to a head)

Resolution (how things resolve)

Your book should be a little bit like a roller coaster, with a few small ups and downs, and then a big one (climax). Many writers use the three-act structure:

Act I – Setup: Exposition, Inciting Incident, Plot Point One (about 1/3 of the book, or about 1/4 = 100 pages).

Act II – Confrontation: Rising Action, Midpoint, Plot Point Two (about 1/3 of the book, or about 2/4 = 200 pages).

Act III – Resolution: Pre-Climax, Climax, Denouement (about 1/3 of the book, or about 1/4 = 100 pages). Fulfill any promises made to the reader.

Within each Act are a number of different “beats” — a plot event. The beat is the smallest unit of the story. It is the space between an action and the reaction it causes within a scene. A scene may be broken down into beats ­– marked only by the moments when the mood or relationship the scene describes changes. Two characters are having a conversation, character A says something which makes character B react in a different way from what A expected – that’s a beat.

Just start!
Don’t worry about spelling and sentence structure… just let go and let the story out, watch it unfold as your characters come to life (you will catch all the mistakes in the re-writes). I have to tell you that the very first novel I wrote I had to read the start of many famous novels to get an idea of how to start a great novel… I start by writing the first third of the novel and then went and wrote the ending, coming back to fill in the middle chapters, only to find out I was 30,000 words short… and then I re-wrote and re-wrote until I loved the story.

Sometimes the plot comes after writing the book, there is no hard rule saying you have to know it to begin writing a story. BUT… you will need one.

Different plots

Adventure

Ascension – Descension

Discovery

Escape

Forbidden Love

Love

Maturation

Metamorphosis

Pursuit

Quest

Rescue

Revenge

Riddle

Rivalry

Sacrifice

Temptation

Under dog

Wretched Excess

Here are some additional points and concepts related to plot development that you might consider including:

1. Character Arcs: How do characters change throughout the story? A character’s internal journey can be as crucial as the external plot.
2. Subplots: Consider the role of subplots and how they interweave with the main plot. Subplots can add depth and complexity to your story.
3. Foreshadowing: Introduce elements early in your story that become significant later, adding depth and cohesiveness to the plot.
4. Pacing: Assess the pacing of your story. Ensure that the plot moves at an appropriate speed, building tension and interest.
5. Conflict Types: Explore different types of conflicts (man vs. nature, man vs. society, man vs. self, etc.) and how they can be incorporated into your story.
6. Theme Integration: Consider how your plot reflects and enhances the themes of your novel. The plot should be a vehicle for conveying deeper messages or themes.
7. Point of View (POV): The POV can affect how the plot is perceived and unfolds. Decide whether a first-person, third-person, omniscient, or multiple POV best serves your plot.
8. Backstory: Integrate characters’ backstories where relevant to add depth to the plot without overwhelming the main narrative.
9. Climactic Moment: Ensure that your climax is the peak of your plot’s conflict and that it provides a satisfying payoff to the narrative questions raised.
10. Plot Twists: Consider the use of plot twists to keep readers engaged and surprised. However, ensure they are earned and make sense within the context of your story.
11. Symbolism and Motifs: Utilize symbols and motifs throughout the plot to add layers of meaning.
12. Dialogue’s Role in Plot: Use dialogue effectively to advance the plot, reveal character, and create tension.
13. World-Building: In genres like fantasy and sci-fi, how the plot interacts with and reveals the world can be critical.
14. Research and Authenticity: For plots set in real-world locations or involving specific professional fields, authenticity through research is key.
15. Ending Resonance: Focus on the resonance of your ending. It should not only resolve the plot but also leave a lasting impact on the reader.

Remember, while structure is essential, flexibility is also key. Every story is unique, and sometimes, the best plot developments come organically as you understand your characters and the world they inhabit better.