What is Plotâ€Definition, Examples, and Expert Tips from Editors

What is Plots, and Expert Tips from Editors What is Plot? An Author's Guide to Storytelling So, what is a plot in fiction? Let's check your understanding with a pop quiz: which of the following is the best example of a plot?a. A boy finds a new family in a traveling circus run by orphans. b. An immigrant comes to the United States to start a new life. c. A king dies and then the queen dies out of grief. d. A high school girl discovers love from an unexpected source: a centuries-old vampire.If you picked c, you’re right.But what about a, b, and d? Well, strictly speaking, those are a mix of themes and premises, but the confusion is entirely understandable. Storytelling theory is packed with confusingly similar terms - and as you get further into the nuts and bolts of writing narrative, it helps to know the difference.This post is here to help make sure that you don’t lose the plot when you’re writing your own story. But before we get that far, let’s first define plot.What is plot?Plot is the chain of connected events that make up a narrative. It refers to what actually occurs in a story and is one of storytelling’s major pillars. Some will say that if characters are the who and theme is the why, then the plot is the what of the story. Remember that Goal + Flaw + Stakes = Compelling Narrative.Don’t forget about your character’s flaw, says editor Katie McCoach. â€Å"The flaw of a character must be the thing about them that needs to change in order to reach their goal at the end of the book, or another way of viewing it is to ask: what is their fear that keeps them from reaching their goals?† This should feed into the conflict of the story, which will be instrumental in guiding the structure.Don’t†¦Plot in a vacuum.Ever watch a movie or read a book where you shook your head because the characters were acting â€Å"out-of-character†? That author probably fell into one of the biggest temptations of plotting: letting the plot drive the characters. Avoid that, warns Aja Pollock, a former editor at Simon Schuster:â€Å"A lot of authors get the outline in their minds, but when the desires of their characters don't align with where the plot is going, rather than adjusting the plot or rethinking the characters, they shoehorn their characters into situations that don't make sense.†In other words, even plot twists  need to make sense first and foremost. Forcing the plot along will result in characters who behave falsely in readers' eyes - which will make the whole story seem hollow.What's your experience with plotting a book? Have any questions about anything related to plot? Leave us your thoughts in the comments below!