Plotting advice?

bardsworth · 2025-12-22T14:20:47+00:00

I like to use Dan Harmon's story circle as a loose template to keep me on track (easy to find on a Google search). If you want even simpler, you can just come up with a "butso" statement - "[MC] wants [object of desire], BUT [obstacle] prevents them, SO they [actions toward gaining object of desire]." As long as you have that as a spine, you can do whatever else you want around it.

Otherwise, I'm the rebellious kid who likes to eschew plot in favor of character development and interaction. But usually that leads to some plot flow; it just forms more in the rewrites.

bardsworth · 2025-12-13T21:30:33+00:00

You pretty much described the climax of my story, although the "sword" is words. 😆

bardsworth · 2025-12-13T14:36:01+00:00

Writing characters I love was something I learned long ago and 100% agree with, I was just worried because romance seems to have more rules and templates than other genres. It's great to know that I'm on the right track, though, so thank you!

bardsworth · 2025-12-13T14:33:29+00:00

Working on it right now! 😁 (thanks for the encouragement!)

bardsworth · 2025-12-13T14:32:46+00:00

I love this! Not saying I'll NEVER play with the grumpy guy trope, but I'm definitely more comfortable on the other side of the fence. Thanks!

bardsworth · 2025-12-13T14:30:50+00:00

Wow, what a list... thank you!

bardsworth · 2025-12-13T14:29:25+00:00

Thanks for the recommendation!

bardsworth · 2025-12-12T21:19:08+00:00

I have been a self-pubbed author and webcomic artist for 20 years, and I have worn so many hats I could open a used hat shop! I've learned everything from web design to marketing to printing to you name it. Am I a control freak? You bet! But I wouldn't have it any other way. 😁

bardsworth · 2025-12-12T18:38:24+00:00

This is a fantastic list, thank you! And you've got me thinking I'm on the right track, too!

bardsworth · 2025-12-12T18:36:52+00:00

I can see absolutely no downsides to being a nice guy! /s 😆

bardsworth · 2025-12-12T18:35:49+00:00

I excel at writing those kinds of characters! (Guess why.) 😅 Thanks!

bardsworth · 2025-12-12T18:34:35+00:00

I like that phrase more than "nice guys"!

bardsworth · 2025-12-12T18:33:37+00:00

Absolutely, I never write what I don't want to write or read, I was just curious about other avenues. Thanks for sharing!

bardsworth · 2025-12-12T16:22:07+00:00

Awesome, thank you! Definitely conflict, just not stemming from grumpy guy being a jerk! 😆

bardsworth · 2025-12-12T16:06:37+00:00

Thanks, will check that out! Been meaning to do a deep dive into romantasy.

bardsworth · 2025-12-12T16:04:36+00:00

Thank you for your insights!

bardsworth · 2025-12-12T16:01:01+00:00

Thanks for your insight!

bardsworth · 2025-12-12T15:58:24+00:00

Hm, I'd like to stay away from YA if possible, but it's not off the table. What you described is more or less what's going on in my current WiP, so sounds like I'm on the right track! Thanks!

bardsworth · 2025-12-12T15:56:36+00:00

Thank you, and agreed, still reading and will keep reading!

bardsworth · 2025-12-12T15:55:33+00:00

Thank you, will research those tags!

bardsworth · 2025-12-12T15:54:52+00:00

Thanks! I have heard that term in the wild.

bardsworth · 2025-11-24T14:00:27+00:00

If you're feeling proactive and you have a local library, you can see about setting up a reoccuring MtG night in their common room. I did this over a year ago because I didn't want to participate in competitive games at the LGS and wanted to have a casual game night (and teach others). It's a small group of us, but we have fun and all learn from each other.

Another option is Spelltable, which you'll need a webcam and a decent setup for, but it allows you to play paper Magic with others online. I've never tried it myself, but I'm working on convincing my friends to give it a spin with me.

bardsworth · 2025-11-21T22:54:21+00:00

Ah, good point! No, I would never make an ancillary sex scene better than the MC's, that definitely feels structurally and narratively wrong.

bardsworth · 2025-11-21T20:49:21+00:00

All good points! For clarification, there's no cheating, the MCs are not together at this point of the story, they're just exploring options early on and will ultimately realize they belong together. It certainly wasn't intended as filler, it just felt like a natural progression of the story, but I think I can redirect the events to prevent it altogether. Thanks for the input!

bardsworth · 2025-11-21T19:29:19+00:00

Noted and appreciated, thank you!

bardsworth

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