Plots

Every "how to" book on writing will tell you there are only x number of plots in the world, and the rest are just variations. There's some truth to this, although it's not the whole story by any means. It has been proposed before that there are "seven basic plots"... I'm not sure where this list originated... but here it is (for your reference).

man vs. nature
man vs. man
man vs. the environment
man vs. machines/technology
man vs. the supernatural
man vs. self
man vs. god/religion

I look at this list and think, 'what the hell? This list is crap.' I don't know about you, but it doesn't help me at all with my writing. For your reference, here's my list, which I think is a little better.

1. Disruption

Ex: Girl gets kicked out of house, must find own way in the world.
OR
Ex: Farmer takes up sword when country is invaded by barbarians.

Basically, something bad happens, and the protagonist has to fix it. This plot is both ACTION and CHARACTER focused.


2. Rivalry

Ex: Sherlock Holmes and Moriarty... the endless 'game'
OR
Ex: A man is on the run from the FBI, and must outwit them to stay alive.

A physical chase, a mental game of wits, or just two people who want the same thing trying to outdo each other. This plot is mostly CHARACTER focused, when done right, although ACTION can be an important part of the rivalry as well. Your antagonist is almost as important as your protagonist.

Subcategory: The Complex Problem - the rivalry can be between one person and a seemingly impossible task/problem instead of between two people.


3. Quest

Ex: Frodo in Lord of the Rings
OR
Ex: The prince (or sometimes the princess >_>) goes to rescue the (other) princess

Contrary to popular belief, this is also a CHARACTER focused plot, despite the ACTION necessary to complete the quest.


4. Inner Struggle

Ex: Humphrey Humphrey lusting after Lolita
OR
Ex: A character matures and comes of age, changing because of events in their life (think Catcher in the Rye)

This plot is CHARACTER focused. Basically, it's about one person's struggle to overcome whatever demons they have, or their struggle to grow and change as a human being. If this type of plot is used correctly, the character will be different at the end of the novel than at the beginning.


5. Romance

Ex: Romeo and Juliet
OR
Ex: Do I really need to explain love? You all know what I'm talking about.

Spice this 2000 year old plot with some societal taboos and plenty of action in the middle (even if that action doesn't involve fighting). This is a CHARACTER focused plot.


6. Action

Ex: Indiana Jones
OR
Ex: Basically any action movie ever made...

This is kind of like 'Disruption' or 'Quest', but there is less focus on CHARACTER and more on ACTION. Can be effective if done well, but not the deepest plot type of all time. For example, if a guy is tossed out in the wilderness and has to survive despite the odds, that is an Action plot (unless, while he is in the wild, he ruminates on his own personality and thinks about God, morality, and mankind's role in the world or some such nonsense)


Now, here's the trick. The best novels use ALL of these plot types at once. That list I just gave you was more like a list of ingredients than a list of plots... Although one might be dominant, adding some others can be very helpful. For example, Star Wars is a 'Disruption' plot... Luke Skywalker is basically forced to start his journey when his adoptive parents' house is destroyed and they are murdered. However, it also has elements of Action (all those space battles), Romance (Han and Leia), Quest (Luke is 'the chosen one'), Inner Struggle (several characters have inner struggles), and Rivalry (Dark side vs. Light, Luke vs. Vader/Emperor, ect).

In my own novel, The Second Sister, I use both the Romance and the Disruption plotline in equal doses. Alone, they might not be enough to make an entire novel, but mixed together, they are a very effective combination.

So, start cooking up a good plot with at least one (but hopefully all) of these elements, and you'll be good to go!

One last hint... notice that most of the plots here are CHARACTER focused rather than ACTION focused? Great writers know how to use characters to enhance action, and vice versa. The two play off of each other, but I would argue that strong characters can only strengthen a novel, so they are always my first priority while writing. Usually, the plot and the action follow along nicely.