Showing posts with label diagramming story plot points. Show all posts
Showing posts with label diagramming story plot points. Show all posts

3/11/14

Venn Diagram

Venn diagrams have long been used to show how certain groups can overlap into other groups.

For example:
 
This is a basic diagram, and one I'll be using today sans the letters. 

The question you might ask is why is a writer using a diagram like this? Especially a writer who is a very linear writer like me. 

Well, it started yesterday when I was walking . . . and finally caught up with Ron (An older gentleman who I sometimes happen to see on the path. Usually we simply pass each other going opposite directions, but yesterday, I caught up to him).

He asked about my writing and I told him I was beating my head against a wall because of this synopsis. I mentioned that I tend to think linearly, but this story was a little more convoluted in the mystery. 

And then I thought of the Venn diagram.

It could help me map out the the intersections of the story. I need to figure the connections, so I can scatter the clues in an appropriate way when I set the information in a linear fashion of story, Blake Snyder's beat sheet.
 
I've never done this before, and I have a feeling I'll be printing off many blank copies to scribble on them before I figure out the right combinations. 

So last night when I couldn't sleep, I thought of various scenes to help fill in the spaces. 

This is going to get good!

Later, Peeps! 

Oh, SUGAR PLUM DISASTER (Christmas short) is still available for free.