Juliana L. Brandt

9-Squares to Plotting Fiction

Juliana — Thu, 17 May 2012 15:35:02 +0000

I can’t take credit for this post. All credit goes to the amazing Deana Barnhart for her original post on the 9-Squares, and she, in turn, got the information from Verla Kay. If you haven’t checked out either of those lady’s websites, you need to.

I used Verla’s Plotting Template for the past two books I wrote and I’m using it for my next book. It seems to work well. I don’t over plot (leaving room for creativity) and it gives me a great guideline to stick to. I took the 9-steps and created an Excel doc. (click on the “9-Squares” below)

9 Squares Each of the plot points are described shortly, leaving enough room to jot notes. Feel free to use the document!

The following is from Verla on the 9-Steps for Plotting Fiction

1 Triggering event

First thing’s first. What happens? Why have you bothered to write a
book, and more importantly, why should a reader invest time flipping
through its pages. Your triggering event is the answer to those
questions, so make it a good one. Also, don’t make the reader wait
very long for it. First page, first paragraph, first sentence.
These are good spots for a triggering event.

2 Characterization

Generally, books succeed or fail on the strength of their characters
more so than on the strength of their plots. The second box is where
you explore what makes your protagonist tick. No, this isn’t an
excuse for drawn out exposition, history, or back story. If your
triggering event is captivating, the reader will discover enough
about the protagonist in Box Two simply by reading how he or she
reacts to the event.

3 First major turning point

By now, your plot is picking up steam, and because of Box Two, the
reader is invested in the ride. Time to throw a curve ball. This
turning point can be either a positive event for your protagonist,
or a negative one, but it should lay the groundwork for the negative
turning point in the sixth square. There is a reason these boxes are
touching one another; they interrelate. For example, Box Three may
introduce the motivation of the antagonist, which then justifies the
events in the sixth square.

4 Exposition

You’ve earned some time to fill the reader in on important data.
Since this box touches the first square, here’s where you shed some
light on that triggering event. Since it also touches Box Seven, you
get to foreshadow your pro-tagonist’s darkest hour. Box Four often
reveals a relationship, character flaw, or personal history that
contributes to the dark times in ahead.

5 Connect the dots

Here is where many plots fall apart. Box Five represents the
trickiest part of fiction and since Box Five is the center of the
book it must connect to all the squares around it. Kind of like the
nucleus at the center of a bomb, Box Five should tick systematically
upon elements introduced in Box Two and Four. And like the calm
before the storm, the fifth square should give the false impression
of resolution before heading like a freight train to Box Six. Most
importantly, it needs to provide foreshadowing for the protagonist’s
revelation in Box Eight. That’s a lot for a little box to do, but
focus on efficient prose to get it right. Your plot depends upon it.

6 Negative turning point

Here’s where that bomb explodes and all (Satan’s home) breaks loose. Good
thing you laid the groundwork in Box Three. Good thing, too, that
Box Nine will deliver some just desserts.

7 Antagonist wins

The protagonist is defeated here, and the antagonist apparently
wins. How the protagonist deals with the darkest hour of defeat
depend upon the traits and/or story developed in Box Four, which
leads to his or her revelation in the next square.

8 Revelation

Of course! The protagonist’s revelation turns the tide. Here is
where the protagonist connects the dots and overcomes the obstacles
of Boxes Six and Seven via the device introduced in Box Five.

9 Protagonist wins

The negative turning point in Box Six is rectified while the
character’s resolve from Box Eight is brought into full bloom.
Congratulations! Another great tale told greatly.

Sixth Sense

Juliana — Mon, 14 May 2012 21:52:38 +0000

I think my critique partners have a sixth sense, every time I finish a round of either my own edits or critiques for another CP, one of them sends an email asking if I have time to read. We’re four months into the year and I’ve already had the pleasure of reading four fulls. Not too shabby.

There’s something to be said about finding critique partner’s who you bond with. Two years ago when the lovely Sophia pulled me into the writing community, I don’t think I ever dreamed I would form the relationships I have. I can literally hear my CPs voices in my head when I read their comments. They make me laugh out loud while editing and slap my forehead for missing the things they pick up on.

Writing- it’s a crazy ride and I am eternally grateful I’m not on it alone.

Do your critique partners have sixth senses? Can you hear their voices when you edit?

The Ever Fabulous Author- Misty Provencher!

Juliana — Thu, 10 May 2012 13:00:55 +0000

Today, I have the pleasure of interviewing Misty Provencher, author of the Cornerstone Series. Throughout the month of May, Misty is doing a blog tour, promoting Cornerstone and gearing up Keystone (which hopefully will come out soon. Crossing my fingers!). Misty is an incredibly sweet, funny and supportive writer and I highly suggest checking out her book and blog!

1. Please describe your book!

Misty: Oh my. You know what? I try like the dickens to never describe my book and hope that readers will go into it blind. That’s because Cornerstone is a mystery that unravels as you read it and I always worry that the description will spoil some of the fun for the reader. But, if you don’t mind a little spoilerossip: Cornerstone is the story of Nalena Maxwell, a girl who’s received a sign (and it’s the wrong dang one) into an ancient community that manages the intellectual evolution of the human race.

2. Do you remember the moment when you were first struck with the idea for Cornerstone?

Misty: I do! It began with an amazing dream I had, like 100 years ago (ok, ok, actually more like 12 years ago) and had no idea what to do with it until about 3 years ago. But Cornerstone wasn’t the dream I had. In fact, the dream will be part of the last book in the series and I had to ‘think backward’ and figure out how the characters came to be in the dream. Cornerstone is where they began.

That’s such an incredibly interesting way to begin a book! Too cool, Misty

3. What was your favorite scene to write in Cornerstone?

I’m not sure there is one favorite. Writing Cornerstone was extremely exciting. I couldn’t wait to get to my keyboard every night after work and every scene fascinated me. I loved the opening, loved when Nali first met Garrett, I love Cora and the Reese clan and the Addo…I mean, this was the first book I wrote that I had SEVERE fun with every scene. It was a great experience.

I completely agree, writing should be fun!

4. What is the most difficult part of the writing process, for you?

Getting it out into the world. The writing process has ups and downs, but for the most part, I always know it’s going to work itself out. It just takes thinking and getting up in the middle of the night to write down what’s left on the dream doorstep and, generally, a lot of screwing around until it gets itself right. But getting it out into the world and trying to convince people it’s not a pile of self-published trash is what’s tough. There are soooo many books vying for a reader’s attention and I’m constantly looking for ways to get it into the right hands.

5. If you are in need of inspiration, where do you turn?

Huh huh. I talk. A lot. If I’m stuck, my #1 way of unsticking myself is to get on the phone and start rattling through the plot (usually to a friend that is sleeping on the other end) and I’ll talk and talk and talk and WHA LA! It comes to me. If I don’t have anyone to talk to, I usually have to turn to Larry (my Llama-collie mutt), but while he’s a good listener, he has absolutely no appreciation for the written word.

Haha, I love Larry! What a helpful dog

6. If you could pass on one important thing you have learned about the writing/publication process to other writers, what would it be?

The biggest secret I’ve found is: have joy in the writing. If you’re slogging through a scene, cut it. If you think of the writing as grueling work, then start over. I really believe the best stories are one that you can’t wait to write. The joy has a way of making it onto the page like magic. Besides, what’s the point in writing loads of books if you hate doing it?

Great advice, Misty. Thanks!

7. What are you working on now?

I’m working on finishing the second book (Keystone) in the Cornerstone series (it may be a trilogy), and I’ve recently laid out the outlines for two other unrelated, stand-alone books. One is a crazy fantasy and one is more of a Breakfast Club meets Midsummer Night’s Dream.

8. Do you have any writing habits that you absolutely have to adhere to for you to be able to write?

Hmmm. Nope. I write all over the place and on everything. Sometimes I don’t write for days while I’m retooling on episodes of Dog the Bounty Hunter or Deadliest Catch. Sometimes I write without ceasing during every spare moment I get. But the work haunts me and in my head, I am writing everyday, all day long.

9. Lastly, what is your very favorite book?

I don’t have just one. I love almost everything by Steinbeck. I read the Classics and the bestsellers mostly, so I guess I’m kind of in the sheeple herd when it comes to books. You know, Twilight, Harry Potter, Hunger Games. Oh, but there is one story by Mark Twain that I think is absolutely hysterical, it’s called The Diaries of Adam and Eve. Check it out!

I’m definitely going to have to check out that book. Thanks for the suggestion and the amazing interview, Misty!

Z is for ZOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!

Juliana — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 13:30:50 +0000

This post has absolutely nothing to do with the zoo (though I do love to go). Instead, I’m simply posting to say YAYAYAYAY! The challenge is over!!! I could not be happier.

And now, I am officially taking a break from blogging. The one thing I learned from the challenge is that I shouldn’t feel like I have to post. Posting once a week is more than fine. What a relief that will be

Also, I can’t believe I forgot to post this, but the uber fabulous Charlie Holmberg interviewed me on her blog last Thursday. Go check it out!

Signing off for now. Good job to everyone else who won the A to Z Challenge.

Y is for You’re My Friend :)

Juliana — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 22:39:34 +0000

I listened to this song on my way to work yesterday. At first, I thought about my sister, Katie because she’s my best friend (she’s in Jamaica for her honeymoon and while I’m ridiculously happy for her, it’s bugging the heck out of me that I can’t call her), and then I thought of Sophia because we had a random conversation about Bruno Mars like…a year ago and now I always think of her when I listen to him, and then I thought about all of my wonderful writing friends. You!

So here you go my writer buddies. I dedicate this song to you

X is for X-rated

Juliana — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 15:10:33 +0000

X-Rated liquor, guys, I’m not going any kinkier than that with this post

This is a delicious drink. To me, it tastes like grapefruit, though I’m not actually sure if there’s any grapefruit flavoring in it. I was given this drink on my 21st birthday and have been in love with it ever since. Yum

W is for Wilderness

Juliana — Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:12:46 +0000

The Absaroka-Beartooth Wilderness to be exact. Back in ’08 my dad took me backpacking in Montana. I honestly can’t say I’ve ever been to a more beautiful, inspiring place.

We hiked up to the old Independence mining site and climbed Monument Peak, which I’m standing on in the picture below. This area is just north of Yellowstone Park. From the top of Monument we had a clear sight line all the way to the Tetons, 120 miles South. We camped at the base of Monument beside Blue Lake. The icy water was delicious on our sore feet and knees after a day of backpacking.

I highly suggest this area to any hikers/backpackers out there.

I grew up going to Colorado to visit my grandparents which probably accounts for my undying love of the mountains and probably explains why so many of my book ideas are set in the mountains. I always say my muse likes to hang out in state parks. This trip to Montana only strengthened my mountain obsession

V is for Vuvuzela

Juliana — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 15:28:59 +0000

This was meant to be a post about Vuvuzela’s, you know, the horns that got uber popular during the last World Cup. I was going to find a nice video and tag it with, “Something to cheer you on for the morning!” But now that I’m at work (and can’t listen to sound on my work computer) I can’t find a video or tag it with that nice sentiment above.

So, if you’d like, you can imagine it

((As a note, I am this close to quitting this A to Z Challenge. I had no idea how exhausting it would be, but as I’m ridiculously close to the end, I figure I can trudge my way through this last week. Huzzah!))

U is for Uhhh….

Juliana — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 20:32:51 +0000

Oh man, I’m sorry guys. This idea of the A to Z blogfest is awesome, completely and absolutely, but I definitely wasn’t aware of how much work it would be. If I do this again, I will definitely think of a theme first.

The wedding weekend was AMAZING and 100% perfectly beautiful, but after five non-stop days, my brain is pooped, hence the Uhhh…. above.

I promise, tomorrow, I will do better

T is for Time

Juliana — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 14:00:49 +0000

I’ve come to realize whole-heartedly that there is no point to rushing the process of writing. When I first began on this journey, I had the most difficult time accepting that it takes time to finish a book, time to edit, time to wait for critiques to come back, time to wait for answers to submissions, time time time and even more time.

I hope I’ve learned at least a little patience through this process, though if it extends to other areas of my life, I’m not sure

How do you all deal with the time-issue of writing?

((I do apologize for my absence from the internet-waves. I will be home on vacation for my sister’s wedding until Tuesday.))