The Quest for Original Plot
I recently read an article by author Caro Clarke about the story basic: plot. Writers usually structure plots to have a beginning, middle, climax, and end. They also usually develop conflict between two characters or one sets of characters. Case in point: Harry vs. Voldemort, Voldemort tries to kill Harry, Harry forgets about Voldemort, Harry remembers–worse, meets (several times)–murderous Voldemort, Harry defeats Voldemort. Brilliant bestsellers distilled.
Newbie writers often struggle with this concept. Where is the creativity in such a structure? Where is the creativity in basic “hero vs. villain” conflict? As a young writer, I avoided conflict and structure altogether–and ended up with a flat story with characters that simply existed. (I cannot tell you what the story was about because the story did not exist.)
Characters shouldn’t “simply exist.” They should breathe.
Basic conflict and structure is life support for your characters. By all means, play with new structures and new conflicts. Without experimentation, there is no learning. But, in the end, remember that writing is not about your personal quest to achieve The Original Plot, it’s about the characters.
Characters in interesting situations are more interesting than original structure and original plot.
