Prompt: Write an entry noting points that interested you in Gotham Writers’ Workshop, Chapter 3

Response: This chapter focuses on plot and plot structure. I was almost dreading this chapter mostly because I thought that it would focus on having a very specific outline that one would have to follow step by step. Instead, this chapter contained a lot of helpful tips when it comes to plot and the overall structure of how a short story/novel should be. The author talked about his experience with drafting and having to cut more than half of the original draft. He expressed how disappointed and upset he was, saying that he felt that most of his work was pointless. At the end of the chapter, he returned to this story, stating that many authors need to go through multiple drafts. The plot isn’t going to be completely developed the first time around, and I feel like that is a lesson that many people know, but don’t necessarily take to heart. In my experience, I had to cut the first version of a story because I hit a wall where I felt like nothing was happening. This was incredibly important though, because it allowed me to write and get to know the world and my characters, and even see problems or cliches that needed to be changed. Reading the anecdote from the author really put into perspective just how important it is to realize that plot isn’t necessarily something a writer has to figure out before they start writing. It develops as one gets acquainted with the world, themes, characters, etc. Another aspect of the chapter that I found helpful was that plot shouldn’t feel like real life. In some cases yes, it is important to have some mundane aspects, but those parts need to progress the plot. Maybe there’s a story about an accountant, but in order to give insight into how the character reacts to the world around them, the author describes the accountant’s walk to work. Just describing the walk would be a little boring, but maybe they decide to put a closed sideway in the character’s path, which leads the character down a side street where they witness a robbery. This in turn moves the plot along while having a glimpse into mundane life. On the other hand, the author warned about having too much real life in stories. Brushing teeth, combing hair, making breakfast, can be great character building exercises, but they won’t help move the plot along. I find that sometimes in my writing, I either move too quickly or too slowly, so hearing what is truly important to plot can help me narrow down what scenes to include or delete.