Novel Plot Points

1.Story Goal--- Different for each character but what is the goal the main character is working towards? example: In the Wizard of Oz Dorothy is trying to get home.(added by another contributor)There are often several goals, simultaneous or otherwise, within a work, and often they are the goals of various characters, including the main characters and sometimes even secondary characters. Sometimes, these story goals are related or progressional, but sometimes, they can be contradictory depending on whose goals they are!



2.Consequences-What would happen if the story's goal was not achieved? examples in WoOz- Dorothy would forever be searching, Auntie Em would have deep sorrow as she loved Dorothy, there are others you can find.



3.Requirements-What must be accomplished in order to reach the goal? Poor Dorothy had many conflicts, reach the Emerald City, find the good witch, defeat the wicked witch.



4. Forewarning(s)- what is shown to move the story closer to the requirements- makes the reader anxious that the consequences will occur before the protagonist can succeed? The monkeys get her, Dorothy falls asleep in the poppy field, you can find many more.



5. Cost- What sacrifice(s) or pain will have to be suffered in order to achieve the goal. Dorothy has self doubt almost loses Toto. Each of her companions have their costs and sacrifices as they move to their goals.



6. Dividends- rewards that the characters received along the way they are something that the character would not have received unless they took the journey to the goal? She makes friends with the Scarecrow, Lion and Tin Man, she learns a lot about herself, she is strong. She cares about others.



7. Prerequisites-events that must happen in order for the Requirements to happen. She must do what the Good witch says, get the red shoes, reach the WoOz



8. Preconditions- conditions laid down by certain characters that make it more difficult for the goal to be achieved. You are getting the point. Find these aspects in your story, they maybe part of a side story as in the part of the wicked witch and munchkins. We know that Dorothy has to find the red shoes, The Wizard gives her a edict also. In Harry Potter there are many, School restrictions, they have a curfew, They cannot go into the forest. Harry is remanded to the school because he can't get permission from his guardian to leave. All these things are put into the story to thwart the MC and the sub characters from achieving their goal(s).



When you fill out all these 8 points you will have a great frame from which to hang your story.