Brenda Hill

Do you need help plotting a novel?                             

Do you have a great story idea but have no idea how to lay it out? Or worse, have you received rejections because you don’t know the secrets of story structure?

Finally, after many requests, I've condensed years of teaching into simple one-page charts.  With the plotting chart, you'll be able to organize your novel's structure and see at a glance if the storyline is working to  the best dramatic effect.
 
I explain key scenes--scenes vital to the dynamic structure of your story--and I demonstrate on an example chart where they should be placed for maximum effect. 

"Trying to write a book… have you thought of every fine point? Brenda Hill has.  As an editor, instructor and author herself, Brenda has compiled a comprehensive and easy to follow method when plotting your next book. 
"I had prepared myself for a hard, technical book on writing but was pleasantly surprised to find the tone so entertaining.  As a nonfiction and fiction author, Brenda brings this book down to our level and gets to the heart of what is important. The explanation of essentials and follow up with examples is exactly what every writer needs."

Lighthouse Literary Reviews
I was amazed at how much help I gained with this. The skills of writing a novel with a clearly written way to begin, proceed and end. Helpful hints and charts are all included.

"For anyone wanting to improve or even spruce up on what they are doing, this is a must.

"I thought I was finished with my third book until I realized from this course I have a long way to go.
I highly recommend this to all writers."

Anne Lebrecht,
Memories of a Forgotten Past
Discoveries of a Hidden Past
The Daughters of Nora Crawford


"They say a picture is worth a thousand words. Brenda's charts and examples show theory at a glance."

Dr. Camille A. Smith,
'Take Back Your Power'

One of the major stumbling blocks in most aspiring writers' manuscripts is the lack of proper story structure.  It is also the most difficult to learn.
                                                                                                              
I have designed one-page chart templates to show you how to structure your story for the best dramatic advantage. Inside  this compact eBook, I reveal the secret about crucial turning points, also called plot points and surprises. I call them Stepping Stones because once you learn how to use them, they will guide you through the maze of plotting.

If you are writing the modern novel, you must know what they are and how to use them.  And, it is essential you understand where in the story they fall.  

Designed for your busy lifestyle, my eBook will help you master the art of plotting without expensive, time-consuming classes, a how-to library or complicated software.

I've included two one-page charts to help you place the scenes in your novel.  No more endless rows of index cards on your carpet, no more pages to thumb through and lose.  I gave you easy instructions and talk about structure and specific scenes that are basic to every modern novel.  I've even used examples from my novel, Ten Times Guilty and show you how and where I placed major scenes.

     To purchase my ebook as a single item, click below:



         

---

PRESTORY STEPS:

...How to construct a dramatic storyline from a basic idea.
...Is your story character or plot driven? What steps are needed for both.
...If you're overwhelmed by facing a blank screen, do this...

CHARACTERS:

...Now we need a character profile, but not too long. I've heard various writing instructors insist you need character history all the way back to when our star brushed her teeth for the first time. If you want to do that, go ahead and list everything including what day of the week she washer her hair. I write a brief summary of my character's physical description--so I won't mistakenly refer to a wrong eye color halfway in the novel, her car's model if she's a contemporary woman, what type of work she doesn and a short personal history. Is she married? Divorced? Siblings? Children? Parents?
...How many leading characters are needed for a well-rounded story? What is their purpose?
...What is the opposition's goal?
...What is essential for every novel, no matter the genre?

 At the end of the Character chapter you'll find detailed one-page charts for each of your major characters and secondary ones as well.

From the PLOT DEVELOPMENT chapters:

When plotting your story, you must plan your story events in such a way the reader will worry about the outcome. When the reader worries, she will not put your book down until she finds out what happens.

And I show you the techniques to construct that worry.

EXAMPLE:

...Two simple but effective techniques to create suspense are...'
...What is essential in the beginning of every story?
...Modern stories are divided into three acts, each with its own job to perform. It's great each act has a unique function because it gives us, as writers, Stepping Stones to guide our way through the long maze of blank pages.

Do you know the function of each act? I explain each and give examples from my novel, Ten Times Guilty.

...Overcoming a common problem--How to keep the middle from sagging.
...The 8 Stepping Stones and how to use them. I give examples on a one-page chart and show how I used them in my novel. And not only do I show them with explanations, I list them on a chart so you can tell in one glance how they work. I include blank charts for you to copy and use again and again.

SCENES:

...Novels are written with a series of scenes & sequels. I explain what a scene is, its function, and show how to use it.
...What a scene MUST have. What a scene must NEVER include.

When I was first learning  about scenes, I wanted to know more: how many scenes should a novel have? How long should they be? Where do they go? I learned and now I will help you. Better yet, I'll SHOW you on the chart.'

...What is the difference between Scene & Sequel?
...What is Exposition & Narration and when do you use them?

And most important, I include simple, one-page charts, based on my interpretation of Aristotle's Incline, and demonstrate where each scene should be placed for maximum dramatic effect.

And I show exactly where I placed the scenes from Ten Times Guilty and explain why.


Plot Your Way to Publication is readable with Adobe Reader 8.0. If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader Version 5.0 or higher, please visit the link below for a free download:

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html



Sometimes I'm attracted by the title.  If the cover appeals to me, I'll read the back if it's a paperback.  If hardbound, I'll check the inside flap.  Then I'll scan the first paragraph of the book, perhaps the second and third.  Then, and only then, will I put it back or make the purchase.

So what is the deciding factor? 

While they all contribute to my losing interest or deciding I absolutely have to read the book, it's ultimately the back cover with the short synopsis.  It can be the most original, eye-catching title and cover around, but if the back synopsis doesn't grab me, I return it to the shelf.

What makes the synopsis an attention-grabber?  The Story.  And of equal importance, the way the author tells it:


If you, as the author, do not have an interesting plot or can't tell the story in an absorbing, dramatic way, you might as well be washing cars. 


How you tell your story is the difference between a reader eagerly turning the pages or thinking they need to clean the oven.

HOW DO YOU TELL YOUR STORY SO THE READER IS SO ABSORBED THE ROOF CAN FALL IN AND HE/SHE WON'T NOTICE?

Technique.  Craft.  The knowledge of the modern novel's story structure.                     


When I decided to go for my dream of becoming a novelist, I first took creative writing classes from our community college.  I met authors at the bookstore my husband and I owned, and several asked me, a former proofreader for an aerospace corporation, to critique their novels.  While I enjoyed it, I still longed to write.

I attended writer's meetings and completed my novel.  Out went multiple queries to agents.  Most came back with a form rejection letter.  I wouldn't give up so I revised and sent again.  Again, the rejection letters returned.

Finally, one agent made the notation:  "You write well, but your structure is off."

I went on a quest to study structure and plotting, talked to other authors and found plotting was a major stumbling block for many.  Most books and instructors talked about plot in a general way, giving this vague esoteric explanation that didn't help at all.  I wanted to learn a step-by-step process I could use for different novels. 

If anyone knew, they weren't telling.

So I attended more classes and later stumbled on the techique.  Now, instead of endless index cards scattered on the carpet or loose pages that get torn or lost, I use a simple one-page plot chart to lay out my story.  It's so easy to use that I can tell at a glance if the structure is working. 

If you have experienced the same frustation or don't have the time or money for classes, don't worry; you may purchase a copy of my eBook.

How to construct a solid storyline from a basic idea!

The different turning points every modern story needs to create suspense and keep the reader turning pages!  I’ll explain what they are and even show you where they should be placed.  And why!

  What the middle of your story needs to keep it from sagging.


Build character sketches and the information needed to bring them alive on the page.

Create suspense. Without this crucial element, your story will be as interesting as watching ants go about their busy day.

Construct a scene. What is needed in each scene and what follows. Do you know what you should NEVER include in a scene? And how many scenes a novel should have?

Construct a dynamic plot by correct scene placement.

Build conflict and plot twists.

Subplots
Dialogue. What is the one thing you should NEVER do?