This document provides an outline for plotting the events of a story in three parts. It discusses researching and filling out a "conflict box" with the protagonist, antagonist, goals and conflicts. It emphasizes getting the plot outlined in some format, whether through a spreadsheet, narrative outline, or other method. Outlines can be as detailed as needed for the genre, with thrillers often relying more on plot and literary works on character. The document stresses that how one organizes their life will influence how they organize their book, so the plot should be gotten "out of your head and written down."

1. Plot Part II:
The Events of Your
Story.
Outlining

2. The Foundation: One Sentence
Idea
•Can you state the original idea for your book
in 25 words or less?
•Have you written it down?
•Does it bring an emotional reaction?
•Good writing and strong characters are key.

3. Have You Filled Out Your Conflict
Box?
Do You Have Conflict Lock?
Protagonist
Conflict
Protagonist
Goal
Antagonist
Goal
Antagonist
Conflict

4. The Craft Of Writing
•You start with an Original Idea.
•You figure out your protagonist, antagonist,
and core conflict (conflict lock.)
•Remember to stay open-minded to
possibilities.
•So now you . . .

5. Outlining
• Do you have to outline?
• Genre can make a difference:
• Thrillers/Suspense/Mysteries usually rely more
heavily on plot.
• Science Fiction/Fantasy usually needs world-
building.
• Literary/Romance rely more heavily on
character so plot might have to follow out of
character.

6. Outlining
• Research develops your outline.
• Catch-22.
• Use the pieces to make the whole.
• Consider bookends (time, space, event, character).
• Arc from inciting incident to climactic scene.
• Use the narrative structure.
• Details drive the story.
• Use whatever format works for you.
• Ongoing process.

7. OUTLINING
•How do you organize your life?
•Daily and overall?

8. Outlining
• How you organize your life, is how you will
organize your book.
• GET IT OUT OF YOUR HEAD.
• WRITE IT DOWN IN SOME FORMAT.

9. Outline (Excel Spreadsheet)
Scene Protagonist Antagonist Misc.
1 Lucy on bridge Nash confronts Lucy
2
Wilder out of
chopper
3 Tyler in swamp
4
Lucy with Daisy
& Pepper, Nash
5
Wilder with
Bryce

10. Outline (Narrative) AREA 51
• CHAPTER ONE
• Scene One: Nashville; 9 Nov; 11 PM, 0400 Zulu: Kelly
Reynolds (protagonist) gets a tape from a reporter saying
he will infiltrate Area 51 and with a copy of a strange pilot
transmission in the area.
• Scene Two: Nellis Air Force Range; 9 Nov; 10 PM; 0600
Zulu: reporter infiltrating Area 51.
• Scene Three: The Cube; 9 Nov; 10:30 PM; 0630 Zulu:
Underground bunker with Antagonist spotting the reporter
infiltrating. Refer to pending mission.
• PURPOSE: Introduce protagonist, antagonist,
foreshadow problem.

11. Plot
• Plot is a character trying to resolve a problem.
• Which entails a series of events that outline the action of
a story.
• The characters’ motivations drive the plot toward the
climax.
• Time is linear. Usually.

12. Original Idea
Conflict the Fuel of Your Story and the Conflict Box
Plot I: Research and Narrative Questions
Plot II: Outlining
Plot III: Narrative Structure
Character
Point of View
Write It Forward: From Writer to Bestselling Author
Writers Conference Guide (Free eBook)
Three P’s: Platform, Product, Promotion
Writers’ Block and Rewriting
How to Write the Query/Synopsis
Planning for NaNoWriMo Success
Bob Mayer’s Workshops, Seminars & Presentations
Your Creative Process: How You Write
The Present and Future of Publishing for Writers
Writers Workshop and Retreat
ON WRITING SLIDESHARES

13. For More Information click on covers
The Complete Writer is four books at discount in one
bundle.

14. New York Times bestselling author, graduate of West Point, former Green
Beret, and feeder of two yellow Labs, most famously Cool Gus. He’s had
over seventy books published, including the #1 bestselling series Time
Patrol, Area 51, Atlantis, and the Green Berets. Born in the Bronx and
having traveled the world he now lives peacefully with his wife and labs.
Sort of. Free books below available HERE
www.bobmayer.com

15. Writing Scenic Workshop
•An intense, on-premises workshop focusing on idea, conflict, story and the ever-
changing business of publishing.
•At our house on Scenic Drive in Knoxville, TN
•Most importantly, this workshop focuses on developing your creative process as
a writer.
•Led by Bob Mayer and his wife, Debbie.
•We’ve worked with everyone from #1 NY Times best-selling authors to novices
writing their first book.
•Limited to four people per workshop. This workshop can also come to you if you
have four interested writers. For schedule contact bob@bobmayer.com