Novel Writing Made Less Impossible -- Fleshing Out the Plot, The 1st 1,500 Words

Welcome back, my friends, to the show that never ends.

Okay, we have a story idea that we've turned into three sentences, an elevator pitch and a one-sentence ending. In short, we have a bare-bones story with a protagonist, a challenge, and a resolution.

Now let's put some meat on those bones.

It's no secret that I hold the pulp writers of the early part of the 20th Century in high regard. I think the world of guys and gals like Gibson, Asimov, Heinlein, Lovecraft, Howard, Ernst, Hamilton, Brackett, McCulley, Campbell, Bester, etc. I love the stories of how Gibson was supposed to have kept three different typewriters filled with paper because he was so prolific. Also, he literally beat a machine to death with his fingertips.

Also, their style taught me to be terse (a lesson I strive to recall, if not always with success) and keeping the action moving. Besides, that's where we met such amazing characters as Doc Savage, The Shadow, The Phantom Detective, Conan, Gulliver Foyle, Captain Future, The Spider, Richard Benson, etc.

One of the most prolific authors was Lester Dent (1904-1959) who contributed to many of the pulps of the day. He entered the writing field when one of his fellow telegraph operators sold a story to a pulp magazine for $450, a great deal of money at the time. Dent figured he could write as well as any of the writers he'd read so he worked up a story that was accepted.

Contributing to many magazines of the time, Dent was contracted to write the tales of the original superman, Doc Savage. In time, Dent wrote all but twenty of Doc's appearances from 1933 until 1949. But for all his labors, Dent devised what he called a Master Plot and sold ever story he wrote, using this framework. When I started writing short stories and novels, I used Dent's framework (he called it a "formula" but I don't like the idea of my writing being formulaic ... poTAYto, poTAHto) and it made my fiction much stronger. I hope it works with yours.

Now keep in mind that Dent planned for a 6,000 word story and that's how we'll approach our teaching. However, I can tell you from experience that it works with much longer pieces, such as Vulcana: Rebirth of the Champion and The Original Skyman Battles the Master of Steam. By the same token, I've used it as a guide for shorter works too. Even with short comic scripts, the Master Plot reminds the writer about conflict, mixing up the action, all the elements that make up a decent story.

We'll start taking the Master Plot apart next week. There's a lot to it and I think you might benefit from some examples. Trust me, you'll be glad to see it. However, if you can't wait, just Google/Bing/Yahoo the term "Lester Dent Master Plot." Some sites give the details, just as Dent wrote them originally. Many others add their own spin to the essay.

Next week, you'll get to see mine.

NEXT WEEK: The first 1,500 words.

LAST WEEKEND: For once, I didn't attend a convention to sell. I checked out PENNED CON at The St. Louis Center Hotel & Suites at the recommendation of my friend Amy Hale (who is a very talented writer and you need to check out her books). Needless to say, my cup got filled quickly and I am announcing that I will be attending in 2018 and I can't wait.

For more information, go to pennedcon.com.

THIS WEEKEND: On October 6 & 7, I'll be a guest at Noble Con 2 at West Richland Elementary School, 320 East North Avenue, Noble, Illinois, on both days. Accompanying me will be Joseph Morris (no relation) of TORC Press and Ian Boothby, the host of the Cloverleaf Radio podcast on Blog Talk Radio (blogtalkradio.com). It's two days of the best gaming in Southern Illinois and only FIVE DOLLARS A DAY to attend. Your presence will be mandatory.

For more information, go to noblecon.weebly.com

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