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#43
magic598 said:
I have the book from Dixon on GMC. But still struggling with the chart. I also have everything plotted in the my story the outline mostly done except for one scene. Its the "I don't know that should happen next" syndrome.
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Whatever happens next needs to ramp up the conflict. Ask yourself what's the worst that could happen, then do it. Or do something totally unexpected. After every conflict or event, there needs to be a time of reflection where the POV character thinks about what happened. I try to think of it as if something crazy or bad happened to or around me and what I'd think really about it, i.e., who did it and why, how could I have prevented it, if it pissed me off did I say the right thing. That sort of thing. Maybe they freak out.
As far as the GMC, what the character wants (external goal) isn't always what they need (internal goal). Most of the time, they're not even aware they have an internal goal. They might accomplish their external goal by getting what they want, but they won't be happy because it's not what they needed.
I hope this helps, but if you need a sounding board, just let me know.
 
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#44
magic598 said:
Really struggling with GMC. Also with a scene in my story. I have thought and thought about it and not able to get anywhere. Very frustrating.
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Personally, I don't like GMC and avoid it at all costs. It doesn't work for me. (Some of my characters are very happy with no angst-y goals before the inciting incident, and after, their only goal is survival. LOL)

This is just my opinion, so read or ignore as you wish...... Don't let that part of planning stress you out. It's just one method of writing that helps some people. If it doesn't fit your way of thinking or working this time, try something different. Trying a different method could break free some new ideas. For example, if you're writing a mystery, start a new page and outline the crime from the killer's perspective, then figure out what mistakes he could have made that left clues. If it's a romance, write a few pages to outline the story from the man's point of view to see what he "understands" about how the woman is feeling at each major plot point. Show where he's right and where he's wrong. Good luck.
 
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#46
Mona said:
Whatever happens next needs to ramp up the conflict. Ask yourself what's the worst that could happen, then do it. Or do something totally unexpected. After every conflict or event, there needs to be a time of reflection where the POV character thinks about what happened. I try to think of it as if something crazy or bad happened to or around me and what I'd think really about it, i.e., who did it and why, how could I have prevented it, if it pissed me off did I say the right thing. That sort of thing. Maybe they freak out.
As far as the GMC, what the character wants (external goal) isn't always what they need (internal goal). Most of the time, they're not even aware they have an internal goal. They might accomplish their external goal by getting what they want, but they won't be happy because it's not what they needed.
I hope this helps, but if you need a sounding board, just let me know.
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Yes! Yes! I could so use a sounding board. I have most of the outline. It is a MPOV with a subplot and a bad guy..... I love the story but the main characters plot or scene ideas are going to kill me.
 
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#47
magic598 said:
Yes! Yes! I could so use a sounding board. I have most of the outline. It is a MPOV with a subplot and a bad guy..... I love the story but the main characters plot or scene ideas are going to kill me.
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Is there an easy way we could set up some sort of an open chat at regular intervals for the specific purpose of brainstorming? Just a spot where we could toss ideas around? I think a print format would be better so we can save comments related to our own stories. Maybe on LINE or some other app?
 
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#53
magic598 said:
I have a thread for the main characters or rather a relationship arc but I also have the bad guy penciled in between scenes. so there is that. I have a subplot that I want to use but I have to find a way to tie it into the main characters...... Oiy vey!
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Try a "timeline" (for lack of a better word off the top of my head) -- a flowchart of the main plot and a separate one (but on the same "page") for the subplot. I find visualizing the narrative flow aids in finding tie-in opportunities.

Still drowning in mini-chores--haven't forgotten about the "chat room" idea. :unsure:
 
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#54
Believe it or not I think I may have worked something out. I have three group threads I call them. One is the 2 love interests and main characters. A subplot that is a menage, and a bad guy consisting of a bad guy and his (assistant) for lack of a better word. the subplot and the bad guys are worked together. I just have to find a way to connect the main characters with the subplot.
 
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