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Using Setting to Develop a Plot

Roger Colby, Novelist's avatarWriting Is Hard Work

alien landscapeI’ve seen many different articles around the inter-webs about plot development.  Usually there are two schools of thought:

  1. Create highly developed character bios and then they will inform what kind of plot needs to develop.
  2. Create a highly developed plot and then the characters will take shape based on the plot created.

I have another idea.

I spent nearly three months or so designing a series of planetary systems complete with flora and fauna, culture, alien races, history, etc.  What I found out is that during this process, I created a backstory that informed the plot of the first novel that I am currently developing and/or writing (I have about 2300 words done).

I think there are several ways that we develop good and engaging plots.  If the setting is rich in description, namely it has a huge catalogue of places, people and things to interact with, I am finding…

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About The Owl Lady

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Viv Drewa is a Michigan native who has enjoyed reading and writing since 1963. Though she studied medicinal chemistry at the University of Michigan, her passion has always been writing. She had been awarded third place for her nonfiction short story about her grandfather's escape from Poland. Later, she rewrote this story and was published in the "Polish American Journal" as "From the Pages of Grandfather's Life" and has republished it on Amazon.com as a short story. Viv took creative and journalism courses to help in her transition to fulfill her dream of becoming a writer. She worked as an intern for Port Huron's 'The Times Herald", and also wrote, edited and did the layout or the Blue Water Multiple Sclerosis newsletter "Thumb Prints." She also has a business promoting authors. Owl and Pussycat Book Promotions. Viv, her husband Bob and their cat Princess, live in Port Huron, Michigan.

4 comments on “Using Setting to Develop a Plot

  1. The same happens to me every time I write a book or short story. @v@ ❤

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  2. When I wrote the draft of my book that I want to publish, the characters took on a form of their own, as the book progressed. If I get to Book 2, I will be much better

    Liked by 1 person

  3. You’re very welcome, Roger. I know it will help me! Happy to share! @v@ ❤

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  4. Thanks for the re-blog! I hope it helps your readers.

    Liked by 1 person

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