A subscriber emailed me asking whether I can give any advice
on plotting short form fiction, such as sitcom episodes or short stories.
The tip that comes to mind immediately relates to one of the
first questions I ask myself when plotting a sitcom episode. Whatever the main
plot—let’s say it’s how the son in the family will deal with being bullied—I
ask, “What else is going on that is in some way interrupted by these new
developments?”
For example, maybe the family is planning a party or someone
is coming to visit. Having the new development (the bullying) intersect with
the more normal activity adds another dimension to the story.
The same thing can work in a short story—the moment in time
that we encounter the characters usually features an unusual event, but it
gains resonance when we also understand what the norm is.
(For more tips on constructing great stories, see my book, "Your Writing Coach," available from Amazon.com and other online and offline retailers--and when you have the book you'll also find the secret code words that unlock the chapter bonus material at www.yourwritingcoach.com.)
