The Elements of a Plot

As you've noticed I like acronyms when trying to remember things.  I came up with the acronym CHAOS to remember the elements of a plot:

C - Change
H - Hero
A - Aristotle
O - Opposition
S - Story Line


Change:

If nothing is changes, then you have a boring story. Your character needs to change (grow) or the environment needs to be changing (e.g., action adventure).


Hero:
I use the word “hero” to refer to the fact that very story needs to have a believable and likeable hero (protagonist). Along with the hero, other characters are needed for the plot (e.g., villain [or antagonist], hero’s helper, etc.).


Aristotle:
This refers to Aristotle’s Incline and is a way to format the story. Most stories, TV series, and movies are based on a 3 Act format. Next time you watch an hour long TV series, look at the clock when the plot twists and climax occur. A plot twist usually occurs at 15 and 45 minutes and the climax around 55 minutes. Think this is an accident?


Opposition:
They say that tension is what fuels a plot. And the best way to create tension is to have opposition. If your hero needs an item, then tension will be created if the hero cannot get the item.


Story Line:
The story line is the sequence of the scenes or story events.  It focuses on the larger action, primary character movitations, etc.

Recording Your Ideas

We're not always at our computer typing away, so how can a person record their ideas or work about their stories when away from their computer?

Notebooks
Some people carry 8.5" x 11" notebooks or steno (shorthand) pads. The notebook not only contains the story, but notes on plot and characters.  It's an inexpensive option, but it's not always convenient to carry around a notebook.

Index Cards
Other people use index cards.  They're like the notebook but more portable, though you need to keep the cards in order.  You can have different cards for plot, characters, etc.  If you rewrite or change something then you can just get ride of the old card.  It has the main advantage of writing the summary of a scene on a card and then being able to reorganize them at will.

Phone
My phone has a voice record feature that I sometimes use to record things when I can't write it down.

iPad
The iPad is a good alternative to a notebook.  I can't type as fast as on a computer, but it's faster than handwriting and I don't need to type in my hand written notes.

The Elements of Setting

The setting is basically where and when something happens, right? I use the following acronym
(D-TiPP) to remember the elements of a setting:

D - Date
Ti - Time
P - Place
P - Props

Date, Time, and Place:
This is more than just (for example) New York, December 1, 10:00am.  It includes temperature, lighting, weather conditions, etc.  It is better to show the reader than to tell the reader.  For example, don't write that it was a cold, dark, and rainy night -- boring!  Better is to have a character put on a jacket and say something like "Jack Frost is working overtime," describe the sound of rain as it hits their shoes (or jacket or hat), and maybe tell that it's several hours after the late evening news.  This makes the story come alive and creates a better mental image.

Props:
These then items a character is carrying or are things at the setting location(s).


Again, I go back to my stage example.  Imagine your story as if it were acted on a stage (and you were writing the play and having to give a description of the stage setting and character action).  How would you show the setting to the audience, what props are on the stage and do the characters use them?  What action(s) are taking place?  For example, if you're on a New York street, then there are horn honks, cars drive by, people walking by, people yelling, etc.

The Elements of a Scene

I know that already covered the "Scene" as Element #8, and I described the 8 components that make up a scene. However, I use the following acronym to summarize the components:

S - Setting
A - Action
C - Characters
C - Conflict

The Elements of a Character

Good characters make good stories, and making well rounded characters that are believable does not happen by accident.  If the characters you create are vague to you, then they will be vague to the reader.  Maybe the opposite case is more typical: you over describe your characters to the point to where your reader has a photographic mental image.  It is better to show your character.  For example, if your character is vain, then show it your characters actions and let your readers "discover" it.

I use the acronym PHAM to recall the elements of a character:
P - Past
H - Habits
A - Appearance
M - Motivation.

Past:
All characters have a past and it makes them who they are.  If a character is spoiled, then there must be past events that made them that way.

Habits:
Does a character like to bite their nails, twirl their hair, stay up late, etc.  Everyone has different habits, and seeing them make your characters more believable.

Appearance:
This is simply how your character looks: face and body shape, age, hair color, etc.  I would also include how the character dresses.

Motivation:
This is the key to your character.  Why is your character doing their actions?  For example, not everyone attends college for the same reason.  Some are their because they want to get a better job, some to better themselves and increase knowledge, and some because their parents told them that if they don't then they need to move out.

Tips:
1. give your "hero" at least one bad trait, no one is perfect.
2. Give your "villain" (at least) one good trait, no one (hopefully) is purely evil.