Wednesday, April 28, 2021

Cate's Favorite Writing Books Series #3

 Anyone who has ever talked to me about writing knows that plot as a verb is my idea of a 4 letter word. 

For a very long time when I first began writing, I didn't plot ahead. I just let the story unravel as my fingers typed away (or filled pages of notebooks). I still need to do that to some extent because it's how my brain works. I can't figure out a story unless I'm actually telling it.

However, the reality of the publishing world is a bit harsh. My fervent wishes to the contrary, my editor is not going to offer me a contract on an opening chapter followed by the words and then a bunch of things happen and they fall in love and live happily ever after.

So I've had to learn to do some plotting. Let me tell you, it's been a struggle! 

But over the years I've learned that whether I choose to acknowledge it or not, stories need structure.


I think of the image of this bridge.


I wouldn't want to drive across that bridge if the engineers who designed it hadn't properly planned the structure. But what does that have to do with story structure?

There are dozens if not hundreds of books out there offering to teach you how to plot your novel. I've read some and skimmed more. I've done workshops (I highly recommend Michael Hauge's The Hero's Two Journeys). Read dozens of articles. 

But one book stood out in the way it helped me understand how to structure my stories - James Scott Bell's Super Structure: The Key to Unleashing the Power of  Story. This craft book uses 14 signpost scenes to help you plan your story. They have wonderful names like The Care Package, A Kick in the Shins, Pet the Dog - and my favorite - The Mirror Moment. Look at the bridge above. See how it is perfectly symmetrical. In your story, the Mirror Moment is that scene exactly in the middle of the book where the protagonist has to confront himself (as in the mirror) and make a decision. The rest of the book hinges on it. 

The book is set up so that each of the 14 signposts has it's own chapter that thoroughly explains its purpose and how to use it.

But there's a deeper reason I love this book.

The blurb on Amazon says:

Super Structure represents over two decades of research on what makes a novel or screenplay entertaining, commercial, original, and irresistible. Contrary to what some may think, structure is not a nasty inhibitor of creativity. Quite the opposite. Properly understood and utilized, structure is what translates story into a form readers are wired to receive it.

I bolded those lines because I think that's what appealed to me. 

The beauty of this book is that it can work for each of us in our own way. Sort of like play dough, we get to mold it in a way that fits our style while keeping the same central backbone of structure. Plotters can use the signposts as they outline their novels. Mist writers like me can use the same signposts to make sense of the ragged mess of story we’re left with after speeding through that first draft. As Bell indicates, we’re not all that different really. The pantsers are simply writing that outline as a rather long, somewhat rough first draft.

In the book, Bell uses many examples from books and films to show how these signposts work to support great stories. He takes you through step-by-step explaining the role and location of each signpost. It’s amazing! One of the first things I do when planning a new book is make a doc outlining each of the signposts.

Bonus:  Missy Tippens did an article on another of James Scott Bell's books, one I like to think of as a companion book to SuperStructure. Really this one came first and it focuses completely on the Mirror Moment. You can find Missy's article in the Archives of the original Seekerville. A Look Inside a Writer's Mind - Working from the Middle of a Story.

So what do you think?




Today I'm offering a copy of the ebook version of Super Structure. Be sure to let me know in the comments if you're interested.

Image from Pixabay

22 comments:

  1. Good post, Cate. I've always been a plotter, but I realized a few years ago that I wasn't plotting correctly. It's more than an outline and plot points. It has to be the RIGHT plot points. One of my former crit partners is really strong on structure, and she drilled me and drilled me until mine got better. Three-act, seven-act, Hero's Journey, The W, I do a mishmash of them all, and it's a little different with every project. I'm organizing my Revolutionary War story in a different way than I did the Oregon Trail ones, because I have more to research and more moving parts. Also, I don't know these characters as well. (By the end of three Western novels and two novellas, I was TALKING Western, including phrases like "that there" and "over yonder." Which go over really well in northern New England.)
    Cate, I love craft books and am going to try to pick this one up.
    May be back later.
    Kathy Bailey
    Your Kaybee
    Putting it all together in New Hampshire

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    1. Kathy, I think that makes total sense that you would organize different types of projects in different ways. My Revolutionary War book was the first one I ever wrote. I did zero planning, but the structure worked out anyway because I somehow instinctively just knew the story. I think that being avid readers helps us internalize a lot of craft.

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  2. What do I think? I think I just ordered the book. :P Thanks for the insight, Mary Cate.

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    1. I think that's great! Hope you find it helpful, Mindy. I've been using the eBook, but I'm tempted to buy the paperback just so I can mark it up!

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  3. I am an avid reader, Cate....and just finished your great book Texas Witness Threat! I am ready for your next one.....lol
    It is good to see you here today......be blessed.

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    1. Thanks, so much, Jackie! That means the world to me. I'm working on on the next one, and your kind words are inspiring.

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  4. Hi Cate:

    I think James Scott Bell is one of the best craft writers. He is also one of the best live teachers and if you can hear him, it is well worth doing.

    After reading your post today, I went straight to Amazon to order, "Super Structure" and found out that I have already read it, own it, and that it has a free update available! I also have the other two books in the series, "How to Write Dazzling Dialogue," and, "Write Your Novel From the Middle," -- I sent all of these to my new Kindle for re-reads.


    I really like the idea of writing a book from the middle because, if the middle is not sagging, from the middle you should be able to see both the beginning and the ending. That's a great place to be when starting a writing project.

    Thanks for a great post! Sometimes you just have to read important books an additional time.

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    1. Thanks for letting me know there is an update. I'll have to go make sure I have the most recent edition.

      I'm doing an online workshop with him in May, so I'm glad to hear that you think he's a great live (or in this case, virtual) teacher.

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    2. Hi Cate:
      I saw James Scott Bell at the Crested Butte writers conference, some years ago, where he was to deliver a major talk and he came to classes like all the other attendees and after the events were over for the day he came to the lobby where some of the students came to talk about the day well into the night. He's a lawyer, you know, he does not have to write but it seems he loves writing, writing about writing and giving talks. I sure don't want to miss him on your event. Will you give the info on taking it?

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  5. Cate, I have Writing From the Middle and really like everything he talks about in that how-to. Now I need Super Structure. Thanks for the info!

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    1. I think the books complement each other so much. I hope you find it helpful, Debby.

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  6. I enjoyed Plot & Structure by James Scott Bell,this sounds like a great next step. I'd love being entered in the giveaway.

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    1. Tonya, I have his Plot & Structure too. Maybe I should pull it out again! Thanks for reminding me.

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  7. I've always felt structure guidelines give a comfortable framework. Please enter me, I'd appreciate his book.

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    1. Felicity, for some reason "structure" sounds so reasonable whereas "outline" the book gives me hives! Words are funny.

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  8. It's hard for me to plot a story when the characters haven't really spoken to me yet but like you said editors want to know what's going to happen. I've been working on plotting more from the start. It's not easy, I need structure. I'd love to be entered for the book.

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    1. That's so true, Jamie. I know some people do character charts, but I feel like I don't get to really know my characters until I start writing and let them talk to me.

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  9. This sounds like a great book. I can use all the help I can get in plotting. Please put me in the drawing.

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  10. Cate - I love your recommendations! After your last post, I ordered both of Lisa Cron's books and I must say, they are fascinating reads. I'm hoping to apply some of what I've gleaned from them.

    I really like James Scott Bell's craft books too. I've got a bunch of them already (so no need to put my name in the hat). BTW, one of my writer groups, Faith Hope Love Christian Writers is hosting a workshop with James talking about writing from the middle. There is still room I believe if others are interested. It's on May 18.

    Thanks for your post!

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  11. I haven't read any of his books. This one sounds like a great start.

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  12. Hi Cate, I think this is a very interesting post, and I love your bridge analogy, it makes such beautiful sensse.

    Please enter me in the drawing.

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  13. My goal has been to learn structure this year. I'd love being entered, thank you

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