Write 2014 Desert Sleuths Writing Conference - Part Three

This is part three of my notes from the Desert Sleuths chapter of Sisters in Crime, Write 2014 conference in Phoenix, Arizona

The third speaker of the day was author Graham Brown.  Graham has written his own novels and also co-writes with Clive Cussler, an Arizona resident. Graham topic in the Mastering Crime Fiction:  A Whodunit How-to was "Why, Your Plot the Heart of the Story".

Graham claims to be a seat of the pants writer.  He doesn't outline his story but prefers to have a general idea of where he's going.  He cautions against having an outline of what you expect to happen and then trying to force the characters to follow that path.  Instead allow your characters to lead you in the direction that suits them.  The plot is what happens and allows your characters to shine and to be real.  You find out who someone is when things happen.  Does the cold, withdrawn mother suddenly become a protector when her child is threatened?  Does the cowardly lion show his true strength when he's most needed?

Graham also suggested a writer should not be afraid to throw unexpected things at the protagonist.  Elements of the plot can show the reader who the main character really is without the deadly sin of telling rather than showing.  In a plot driven story, you don't see the hero unless the villain puts the action in motion.  Superman wouldn't have anything to do if not for the bad guys. It's how he reacts to the villain that makes him a hero. After all if he ran away from the bad guys then he wouldn't be our hero.

And, of course, every hero must have his setbacks.  These are parts of the plot which you can toss in to keep both the main character and the reader on their toes.

Think about what you are writing and whether or not you are focusing on the plot or on the characters. A novel about spies may be more plot driven, whereas a novel about a teenager suffering through high school is probably character driven.  If you are concentrating on the characters, make sure to use the plot as a tool to illustrate them.

Happy trails, 

Leslie