Plot Your Novel Through Knowing Your Characters
by Tricia Goyer
Many people ask me how do I plot my novel. Many times as prepare to write a book, I think about my characters’ pasts. I know where they have been, I know where they are now…but I’ve yet to determine where they will be at ‘the end’.
When it comes to researching and plotting a novel, I plot unique characters in difficult situations, who must rise to the occasion and overcome great odds. No small task.
Most of these plotted conflicts are on a physical level. I also consider my characters/conflict/climax on a spiritual level too.
In my current work-in-progress there will be both those who grow in their faith and those who turn their back on it. My characters will deal with real struggles and emotions concerning how a good God can allow bad things to happen. I’ve learned that while I don’t have all the answers (no one does, except God of course), I can explore the very real emotions.
Recently, I came across and awesome spiritual arch for one of my characters. While, of course, I won’t tell you all the details (you’ll have to read the book!), I’ll share the quote that inspired it:
“All of God’s revealed truths are sealed until they are opened to us through obedience. You will never open them through philosophy or thinking. But once you obey, a flash of light comes immediately . . . If you obey God in the first thing He shows you, then He instantly opens up the next truth to you. You could read volumes on the work of the Holy Spirit, when five minutes of total, uncompromising obedience would make things as clear as sunlight . . . Yet God will never real more truth about Himself to you, until you have obeyed what you know already.”
–Oswald Chambers, My Utmost for His Highest, October 10.
Is that awesome or what?! And it makes things SO CLEAR for one of my characters. I love it when that happens.
Back to plotting for me . . .
Originally posted in 2007
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