A guide to plotting a novel in any fiction genre
International best-selling crime writer Vanda Symon discusses what elements make for a satisfying plot and takes you through a series of fun writing exercises to stimulate your inner-plotter. You will have the opportunity to develop a plot outline from an outrageous situation that delves into how and why people react in difficult circumstances, and how you can use that to develop a story-line.
Out Damned Plot Module Content
By the end of this module, you will have learnt:
- tools to develop plots for crime and other fiction
- how character and plot interrelate
- how to include subplots, plot twists and red herrings
- how to develop plots across a series
Learning Level
This module is part of our LaunchPad series and designed for writers who are wanting to understand how to develop plot in fiction.
Please note that you will be able to access the module for 180 days from the day you sign up.
Filming and editing by Aylmer Kenny.
Vanda Symon
Dr. Vanda Symon is the Author of the Detective Sam Shephard crime fiction series and the stand-alone thriller The Faceless. Her novels are published internationally. She is a four-time finalist for the Ngaio Marsh Award for Best Crime Fiction novel and was shortlisted for the British CWA New Blood Dagger award. A Dunedin resident, Vanda produced and hosted a monthly radio show for the Otago Southland NZSA called Write On, broadcast on Otago Access Radio. Among the many roles she enjoys, Vanda is the President of the NZSA and a writing mentor for the organisation. She was the Chair of Copyright Licensing New Zealand, where she served on the Board for four years. Vanda is a New Zealander of Fijian descent.
Out Damned Plot Overview
We anticipate the core module will take up to one hour to complete. You will need internet access and writing materials ready (pen/paper or document open).