Happy Cyber Monday,

Before you head out and buy too much stuff, or if you have already, then here’s a little tidbit that can help you even if you are at the beginning, middle or nearing the end of your book.

Many writers have a difficult time understanding the concept of Plotting. Every writer is different: some are pantsers (write by the seat of their pants), others outline and still others, like me, are in-between.

Even after years of writing articles, how-to books, giving seminars and talks on writing/publishing, I can always learn something new or at least a new perspective.

Today something clicked (or it finally soaked in) that brightened my lightbulb. Yes, I understood the three acts of writing: the beginning, the middle and the end— but this went from understanding to Eureka! I am not going to go into the depth of the three Acts, or segments of writing, as that has been covered in great detail on the Internet (KM Weiland, Jane Friedman, for example).

But here it is as simply as possible (my Eureka was #3)

ACT I – Character is ill-equipped to face a situation; can’t go back to old life

• Luke Skywalker finds his Aunt and Uncle dead, and he can’t go back to his old life.

ACT II – During the transformation journey, the Character is gathering skills / understanding

• Luke is kicked around by life, meets allies along the way, and is brought back to the “light.”

ACT III – Character faces a similar situation to the opening Act but now is able to overcome the challenge

• Luke destroys the Death Star.

Bonus: About Trends:

I read somewhere (sorry, cannot remember) that popular “trending” novels “reflect the opposite” of what the world is like. So, if life is good, then you’ll see a lot of Armageddon, end-of world, or the like type of books.

If that is true, then that explains why in 2020, the sales for upbeat and happy ending books soared.

Enjoy the day,

Suz

Walnuts photo by @LubosHouska from Pixabay.com