Dramatic Strategy I

In its simplest, most basic structure, plot is an alternating construction of scene + sequel + scene + sequel + scene + etc. The two dramatic units dovetail closely together and will keep the story action advancing in a plausible and exciting way from start to finish.

However, that kind of plot can become too linear, too predictable. Consequently, it can become boring.

So writers should draw on other techniques to enhance and enrich their stories.

We have at our disposal, a number of these strategies, including:

*big versus small scenes

*variant ordering of scenes and sequels

*subplots

*flashbacks

*plotting for character

*multiple points of view

You can change up your plot structure by using only one of these possible strategies, or–depending on the type of story you’re writing–you can employ them all.

We’ll deal with them separately in the posts to come.