TC's Tutorials: Plots Vs. Storylines

Though both words mean the same thing (check it out in a Thesaurus if you don't believe me), it is generally easier to separate the two, at least if it's only for the start of your writing practises.

Anyone can write a story with a storyline, it's as easy as that. However, it takes a talented or a patient, hard-working and well-practised writer to come up with an original plot. So, for now, consider storylines to be the foundations of a tale. The plot then builds upon these foundations, strengthening it and bringing it closer to becoming a full story.

Now, before I lose you all in more comparative nonsense, let me give you an example of the differences between storylines and plots. For this I'll use my first Pint-Sized Pirates story (yes, I know it's going back a bit, but bear with me).

Here's the basic storyline as I originally wrote it before going onto making the plot:

"A pirate Captain is left shipwrecked and is turned into a baby. He decides to get a new crew and set sail once again."

I can almost hear the yawns of boredom. Yes, though this could easily be considered as a plot, let's just agree for now that it's the simplest of storyline ideas - the summary, if you will.

Now, to build upon that storyline, I needed to devise a plot. Here's what I did:

• The Captain is shipwrecked.

• How does he become a baby? Boochi.

• The Captain decides to set sail again…

• But he needs a crew!

• And a pirate costume that fits.

• Oh, and let's not forget a new ship.

• How does he get all these? Costume: From the Usuki Shop (there's an item called a "Shiver Me Timbers Usuki" which comes with a pirate costume). Crew: A sign on the notice boards. Ship: He's a pirate, he has his ways.

• Who would answer a notice from a baby pirate asking for a crew? More babies.

• The new crew sets sail.

• The End.

So, you see, making a plot consists of taking the storyline and ripping it apart to discover and realise the problems that would appear and how your character(s) would deal with it.

In short: Plots = In-depth Analysis of Storyline.

So, now you've got the basic idea of what separates a storyline from a plot. With the new-found knowledge you've (hopefully) gained so far, you should be able to come up with a decent plot. Want to give it a try? No? Too bad, because heeere's…

EXERCISE TIME! (Sure, you can skip this, but remember, it's your loss).

I'm going to give you a basic skeleton of a storyline, and you (yes, you) are going to come-up with a more sophisticated plot from what I've given you. Don't worry if you don't get the plot points exactly identical to mine, hardly anyone ever has the selfsame ideas when it comes to plots. As long as it's close enough and you get the general idea, consider the exercise passed.

Ready? Okay, here's your storyline:

"A young pet finds a magic lamp, which holds a genie that grants him three wishes, which the pet mucks up."

There, now from that I'm hoping you can create at least six bullet points worth of plot, one for each individual idea that will join together to make the complete plot.

Start now.

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Okay, was your plot anything like this?

• Where'd the pet find the lamp? Attic/Basement/Garage Sale.

• Where'd it come from? Lost Desert/Haunted Woods/Mystery Island.

• What does the pet wish for first? Neopoints/Rare Items/Paint Brushes

• What EFFECT does this wish have on his life/Neopia in general? Bank robbed/Fyora's Hidden Tower robbed/Rainbow Pool dries up.

• Repeat last two points for the other two wishes.

• What happens to the genie after he's completed all the wishes? It's free/Goes back into the lamp.

• What does the pet learn from their experience? Be careful of weird floating creatures in funny-looking hats.

Okay, so that last one should have been "Be careful what you wish for," but hopefully you got at least half of the ten points (remembering the repetitions) right, or close enough.

Now, I could just leave it there and sign-off this article, but I can't bring myself to leave without mentioning the matter of plots in a series.

Whereas the information you've learned so far should help greatly improve your plot-creating skills for short stories and the like, you need a little something extra for a series' plot: Complications.

Complications are exactly what they say they are: they're there to complicate the story's plot from running smoothly - after all, who wants to read a story where nothing goes wrong? Whether it's a new character with totally contrasting objectives or an event that hinders your character(s) from completing the task, complications are a must for a series if you want it to keep your readers hooked.

They can also be anything you want, so be creative! They can prevent your characters from going in a certain direction, forcing them to take a much more dangerous route, they can present a minor side-task that must be completed before the main one can be continued with, or even give them a second reason to do what they have to do.

Here are some examples of classic complications:

1. Your characters must hunt for treasure on a faraway island. The complication is that the island is underwater/in ruins.

2. Your character must solve a mystery. The complication is obviously introducing numerous suspects.

3. Your characters must complete a Dark Faerie quest within twenty-four hours. The complication is that the Faerie has one of their friends prisoner, and if they fail or time runs out, then the prisoner becomes one of the Dark Faerie's minions.

EXERCISE TIME! No, don't gripe and moan, I promise it's a quick and easy one to wrap things up.

Once again, I'm going to present you with another basic storyline, and this time you have to create a complication for it. Ready?

• A secret spy decides to retire and publish his autobiography in the Neopian Times. The complication is…

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• Answer: The complication is that no one believes him!

So, basically, all complications are for you to look at your plot and think "How can I best make things harder for my characters, and more entertaining for my readers?"

Complications make your stories more fun to read, giving it more depth and insight. But don't go overboard and give yourself an impossible complication (you can't complicate example 3 by having the Dark Faerie turn time forward twenty-four hours or make the required item vanish from existence).

There! Hopefully this article has helped give you a better knowledge of plots, storylines, complications and the steps needed to create all these. Just keep practising the examples and you'll soon be writing wonderfully complex epics in no time.

Until next time, happy writing!

Author's Note: Coming Soon! Setting, Advanced Character Creation and Dialogue.

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