8 Point Plot Structure & J. Mark Bertrand

An excerpt from Guns, God & SomeDudeAverageJoeRegularGuy

Opening Scene: When Tessa’s fiancée, Sampson got down on one knee in her living room and placed an engagement ring on her finger an old, familiar fury bubbled in her soul.

“If you’re serious about this, then yes. But if you’re yanking my chain…” She turned her direction away from him toward her armoire—the one that kept her Kahr 9mm handheld locked away from her pride. Then turned back to him and smiled. “then so help me God, I’ll kill you.”

He stumbled back. Because what Tessa Turner says--she means.

Hopscotching along in the blogosphere I stopped at J for J. Mark Bertrand, a community member in faith*in*fiction and a member of the Masters Artist Group. He always has something very thoughtful to say about the writing craft. And this girl needs all she can get on the subject.

While hopping around in his spot, I found an eight point plot structure plan that spoke to me. I'm the kind of writer, who has spent months plotting and replotting my story. And I am to the point where I think I might need to stick to creative non-fiction But this entry from Bertrand has helped the old hag--me. Not just the plot structure, but his entire Notes on Craft blog.

I will simplify it here for you. You can click on the title above that links to his Notes on Craft Blog and the Plot Structure in detail.

Eight Point Plot Structure:
Stasis, Trigger, Quest, Surprise, Critical Choice,Climax, Reversal, Resolution.

Why this structure helps me is that I can actually visualize what will happen in my story more clearer by this instead of my old structure:
Opening Scene, inciting incident, conflict....

In fact I completed my plot in an hour.

Thanks J. Mark Bertrand. You've made my week.

Writing to see what the end gon' be,
Dee