Are you a first-time novelist looking to craft a compelling plot for your story? When ideas are swirling around, it can feel challenging to capture all of them and understand which ones will be most impactful for writing a compelling novel.

Learn the definition of a plot vs. story.

There are 5 elements to a plot to write a compelling novel.

First-time authors can create compelling plot structures with practice.

Understanding the fundamental elements of plot structure is crucial for engaging readers and creating a cohesive narrative.

First, let’s start with the definition of a plot. A plot is a series of events that take place within your story or novel. The plot is the description of what happens and why it happens.

To provide additional context, a story is a comprehensive narrative that includes setting, characters, themes, etc. The plot is a part of the story, which influences the context for the events (or plot) within a novel.

If you are a first-time author, let’s take a look at the five essential tips to help your plot structure and captivate your audience.

Every story has a beginning, a middle, and an end. The beginning is critical in defining where the story starts and why a reader should care. The beginning of any story should:

Hook your readers with a captivating opening. The first sentence should pull a reader into the story and have them wanting more.

Introduce your protagonist and establish the story’s central conflict. Land the reader right into the conflict. We don’t need a backstory to start. Show us what is at stake.

Set the tone and establish the story’s setting. Where does this novel take place? What time period does it take place? What season does this story start in?

Creating a compelling start to your novel sets the tone for what the reader can expect. Ask yourself a few clarifying questions to help determine the opening of your novel:

Where does your novel start?

What is at stake?

What has happened before that has led your protagonist to this moment?

Conflict is the driving force behind a compelling story. Introduce obstacles, challenges, and conflicts that your characters must overcome. These can come from external sources, such as villains or challenging situations, as well as internal struggles and emotional conflicts within the characters. Tension keeps readers engaged and eager to see how the conflicts will be resolved.

Consider these three elements for building action and tension early in your novel:

Introduce obstacles and challenges for your protagonist.

Gradually increase tension and stakes to keep readers engaged. Don’t give it all away at once! How can you parse out the full consequences of an action so that the reader can feel a sense of anticipation?

Use plot twists and surprises to maintain intrigue. Ending each chapter with a cliffhanger is one of the best ways to keep the story moving and readers engaged.

As the stakes have been rising and rising, there will come a moment of climax when the plot reaches its highest point. This may include:

Reach a pivotal moment where the protagonist faces their greatest challenge.

Resolve conflicts and make important revelations.

Provide a satisfying climax that leaves readers eager for a resolution.

This is the collective moment where readers (and perhaps your main character) get to take a breath. We understand what was a stake and why it was so important.

Now that most of the action has occurred, what does this new world look like for the main character? What have they learned?

In this stage of the novel writing journey, it is important to:

Explore the consequences of the climax and tie up loose ends.

Develop secondary characters and subplots.

Maintain reader interest and momentum towards the resolution.

Ah, do you feel it? That moment, where everything might be different, yet, everything is right in the world. The resolution of your novel is just as important as the action that got us to this point.

At the end of the day, readers want a story that is engaging but also provides a satisfying ending. To meet this expectation:

Offer a satisfying resolution to the story’s conflicts.

Provide closure for the protagonist’s journey.

Reflect on the story’s themes and lessons.

By understanding and implementing these plot structure tips, you can create a well-crafted narrative that keeps readers hooked from beginning to end. Remember, creating a compelling plot structure is a journey; practice will help you refine your skills as a novelist.

Happy writing!