Plot and Story Arc – Jim Tritten
Video Outline
Quick recap
Jim Tritten delivered a presentation on plot structures and story arcs as part of MWSA's Writers Education Program, covering various narrative elements and engaging participants in creative exercises. The group discussed writing techniques, tools, and experiences, while also addressing administrative matters such as anthology sales and conference logistics.
Summary
Plot and Story Arc Presentation
Jim Tritten, a retired Navy carrier pilot and 2023 MWSA Writer of the Year, presented on "Plot and Story Arc" as part of a series of writing presentations. He discussed the structure and development of stories, including elements like character development, conflict, and resolution. The presentation was part of MWSA's Writers Education Program.
Mastering Plot Structures in Writing
Jim discussed various plot structures and story arcs, including Freitag's pyramid, the classic story structure, the Fitchian curve, and the hero's journey. He explained how these structures can be applied to both fiction and nonfiction writing, highlighting the differences between character-driven and plot-driven narratives. Jim also covered basic plot types such as man versus man, man versus society, and coming-of-age stories, as well as mystery plots and timeline choices in writing. The session concluded with an exercise for participants to outline a story based on a specific hour in their lives, focusing on three key plot points.
Creative Story Arc Exploration
The group engaged in a creative writing exercise where participants either wrote or drew their personal story arcs, focusing on three key plot points. Nancy shared her experience of a close encounter with a truck carrying lumber on the interstate, while Johnny recounted a meaningful dinner experience in San Remo, Italy, with the Nochettis family. Bob contributed a true story about a plane crash during takeoff, emphasizing the importance of capturing life's experiences in writing. The discussion highlighted different approaches to outlining and structuring stories, with some participants finding outlines helpful and others preferring to write freely.
Running, Skydiving, and Emotional Stories
Jack London shared his experience of running the London Marathon, describing how he and other runners dealt with adverse weather conditions. Wes recounted a skydiving experience, highlighting the challenges of writing about a short, intense event. John shared a story idea about serving as an escort officer for a fallen friend, emphasizing the emotional rollercoaster involved. The group discussed the potential of developing these stories further, with Jim suggesting ways to enhance the narrative elements.
Mastering Story Arcs and Conflict
Jim discussed various story arcs and plot structures, emphasizing the importance of conflict, tension, and subplots in creating engaging narratives. He explained how to handle minor characters and ensure they have a satisfying conclusion, noting that loose ends should be tied up unless the story is part of a series. Jim also shared a personal experience of writing a stream-of-consciousness piece during a writing workshop for veterans, highlighting that sometimes the most powerful stories emerge without premeditated planning.
Novel Writing Techniques and Tools
Jim discussed writing techniques and tools, emphasizing the importance of outlining and using online tools like Dramatica Pro for plotting novels. He suggested that writers practice with short stories before tackling longer works and recommended Jack's book for further guidance.
Q&A Session
Enhancing Writing Skills Through Sanderson
The group discussed Brandon Sanderson's writing workshops and educational content, with Michael sharing his experience of attending a cruise workshop and Troy recommending Sanderson's BYU lectures on creative writing. Troy described Sanderson's teaching style and the value of his university-level content, while John suggested that members join the reviewer team to enhance their writing skills collaboratively. Jim and Jack London encouraged continuous learning through courses and emphasized the benefits of attending the MWSA annual meeting in Kansas City.
Writing Group Anecdotes and Updates
The meeting began with Nancy sharing an amusing anecdote about a writing group member, a retired police detective, who inadvertently caused a scene at a restaurant while discussing murder methods for her book. Jim and Michael then shared similar experiences from their writing groups, highlighting the common occurrence of such discussions. Wes updated the group on his upcoming trip to Japan and Okinawa with the World War II Museum, aiming to find a specific hill where his father fought. Traci inquired about purchasing multiple copies of the new anthology, and Bob explained that they are working through Amazon to set up direct sales, with Val handling the logistics. Jim suggested a method used by Southwest Writers to offer discounted anthologies to authors, which Bob found interesting. John confirmed that the conference recording would be available online within 48 hours, and Jim announced that he and Jack were stepping down as education czars, inviting a volunteer to take over. The conversation ended with plans for the upcoming conference in Kansas City.
