plot problem..................

by Debbie

Question: I have thought of an outline draft of a novel, regarding a boy and a girl with contrasting personalities, who eventually become friends. Then an accident makes them forget their past and they get separated.

I have thought of the ending-tragic. What twist should be given in the middle so that the plot becomes interesting?

Answer: Of course, I can't write your story for you, but here are some things to consider...

The first element to consider is the Outcome, which is whether the Story Goal (the goal of the overall plot) is achieved. The crisis of the story is the turning point that determines what kind of outcome there will be -- either success or failure.

Next, there is the Judgement, which is whether the main character ends up happier, better off, at peace... or not. We can say the Judgement is either good or bad.

Usually, the main character starts off with one approach to things while the impact character (the romantic lead) has the opposite approach. These are the "contrasting personalities" you mention. One of these approaches will be critical to achieving the story goal.

The main character's personal crisis is the moment when he/she ultimately decides whether to stick to his original approach, perhaps grow in his resolve, or to change and adopt the impact character's approach. This decision determines what he/she will do at the crisis, which in turn leads to the Outcome and Judgement.

In your story, much depends on when the accident occurs.

For instance, it could go like this...

Act 1: Setup. They become friends.
Act 2. Complications. The accident causes them to forget each other and separate.
Act 3: Crisis. Events in the main plot come to a head such that the main character is forced to remember the friend in order to make the right choice (by following the friend's example).
Act 4: They achieve an Outcome of success and a Judgement of good.

If you want a tragic ending, the main character would make the wrong choice at the crisis, resulting in failure and a bad judgement.

The other way of doing it would be...

Act 1: Setup. They meet.
Act 2: Complication. The friendship deepens and the main character is pressured to change thanks to the friend's influence.
Act 3; Crisis: The main character may be forced to choose between the relationship and achieving the story goal. He/she chooses to sacrifice the relationship, knowing they will forget each other.
Act 4: Resolution. Judgement is bad. The Outcome may be either success or failure.

In this version, since the relationship ends tragically (the two characters must separate and forget each other), that implies a judgement of bad. (It would only be good if they were wrong for each other.)

So that gives you a couple of options.

1. Success/Bad. In this version, the hero would achieve the story goal because of sacrificing his/her personal happiness. He would give up the relationship for the greater good, resulting in a bitter/sweet feel to the ending.

2. Failure/Bad. In this version, the main character makes the wrong choice at the crisis. This choice results in both a failure to achieve the story goal and an unhappy ending for the main character -- the loss of the relationship. This would be a pure tragedy.

Hope that helps.