Explaining The Plot, Story And Characters

In writing a memoir or non-fiction, many writers often commit common mistakes when it comes to building their stories. Especially when it comes to plot development and character growth, it is not rare for many to miss out on hitting that right balance between very important plot elements and the qualities of characters.

The characters emotional development, the dramatic action as well as the thematic significance are the three fundamentals that need to be given the right balance for any story to become interesting. If one of these is given more emphasis over the other, chances are, your story might become overdeveloped or the plot may become a bit boring.

The Beginning

The beginning of the story is the time wherein you should establish elements like the setting, the mystery, and the love interest if there is one.

This is basically where you must first introduce your character and give a preview on his or her emotional development throughout the story. During this time, the protagonists loves and hates, dreams and aspirations, as well as strengths and weaknesses must all be introduced. Through this, your readers can get to know who the protagonist is and take on with the changes that would take place in later chapters.

The dramatic question is another very important element that must be established in these earlier chapters. As a writer, you must create a central desire to entice readers to look for answers as they go through the story. The end of course will determine the answers for this dramatic question and whether or not the desire will be resolved.

The Middle

In the middle part, the plot must develop a deeper involvement and a much more emotional development from its characters. This is the time wherein the protagonist must face adversity, brought about by an antagonist, in order to reveal what type of character he or she has.

There may be different types of antagonists that you as a writer can explore. These may include other people, nature, society, a certain belief system and even the protagonists own self. An antagonist will be responsible to create conflict in the story and your story's hero will have to react to try and resolve the tension.

During this part of the story, it is important for your readers to feel the suspense and drama. While conflict places your main character under pressure, this paves way for your plot to introduce morals and thematic significance from your story. Through your main characters way of acting towards tension, he or she will set an example on how each action will have an equal reaction.

The End

The last part of the story will be your chance to resolve all conflicts and to show to your readers the consequences of everything that has conspired within your plot. A clear change and emotional development must be evident on each of your characters, especially on your protagonist. After all, this is where you show how your character has been transformed by the adversities that he or she has faced in the middle chapters.

During this part, the dramatic question, above all, must be answered. The central desire that you have introduced in the beginning of your story must be fulfilled by giving a resolution to all the events and mysteries that has come up within the flow of the story. And through answers, a clear thematic significance must be evident to teach readers certain morals.

It is up to you whether you want to leave your readers hanging so they could theoretically create their own ending, or paint a perfect resolution for them. But whatever style you choose, it is important that your readers will have a sense of fulfillment in the end, and of course they must be able to learn something from your chosen theme.

The basic key to explaining your plot, story and characters for your book to become relatable to your readers, is to never forget to strike that balance between the elements. Make sure that you balance the growth of your characters as well as the action going on in your plot. And make sure that such dramatic action must be able to transform your characters depth as your story progresses.

Make sure to keep your story flow organized and don't forget to place much emphasis on the three major elements the characters emotional development, the dramatic action, and the thematic significance. By doing so and keeping your plot progressive and growing, you will be sure to keep your readers interest on your masterpiece.