Solving the Plot Puzzle
by Amelia Mellor
Description
How do you write an ending? Why doesn't everyone always live happily ever after? Can a story be exciting if it has no explosions?
Amelia uses her expertise as a writer, puzzle-master and English teacher to coach aspiring writers in advancing beyond the ‘beginning, middle, end’ method of plotting a narrative, and creating a cohesive plot with a set-up, development and resolution.
Participants will learn the difference between internal and external conflict; the difference between a happy ending and a satisfying one; what stakes are; and some of the different methods for writing a satisfying resolution, such as The Face-off, The Mystery Revealed, The Grand Final (or Grand Fail!), and The Sacrifice.
Topics covered:
1. The Face-Off
2. The Grand Final/The Grand Fail
3. The Mystery Revealed/The Misery Revealed
4. The Holy Grail/The Hollow Grail
5. The Confession
6. The Sacrifice
7. The Monster in the Mirror
8. The Full Life
Amelia uses her expertise as a writer, puzzle-master and English teacher to coach aspiring writers in advancing beyond the ‘beginning, middle, end’ method of plotting a narrative, and creating a cohesive plot with a set-up, development and resolution.
Participants will learn the difference between internal and external conflict; the difference between a happy ending and a satisfying one; what stakes are; and some of the different methods for writing a satisfying resolution, such as The Face-off, The Mystery Revealed, The Grand Final (or Grand Fail!), and The Sacrifice.
Topics covered:
- What’s wrong with ‘it was all a dream’?
- A plot is a problem you have to solve: moving beyond ‘beginning, middle, end’
- ‘Happy’ and ‘sad’ vs satisfying and unsatisfying
- What are stakes?
- The Dark Night of the Soul
- Eight common types of resolution:
1. The Face-Off
2. The Grand Final/The Grand Fail
3. The Mystery Revealed/The Misery Revealed
4. The Holy Grail/The Hollow Grail
5. The Confession
6. The Sacrifice
7. The Monster in the Mirror
8. The Full Life
Details
Audience
Years 5-8, General Public
Duration
60 minutes (flexible – it depends on how much time you want students to write during the lesson)
Requirements
Whiteboard Students will need writing books and pens I also have a worksheet if it is easier to work from that – staff should contact me in advance if they would like to print it.