[stylist] More about my story

[Bridgit Pollpeter]

Vejas,

I wouldn't necessarily ask people how to change the plot of your story
especially when just an outline since we all can take different
approaches and styles. Don't let what others say initially detract you
from your original outline. Once you have some drafts, people can
provide feedback as to what they thought worked and didn't work, and
suggest possible areas to revise, but until you have something more
concrete, it's difficult to say where any changes can be made. You have
a pretty thorough outline here so I say start writing before asking for
advice and suggestions.

Having said that, you have a pretty intricate plot involving a lot of
relationship dynamics. Good writing, I learned, will involve sub-plots
weaving among the over-all arc of the story, which can enrich your
characters. However, be careful characters and plots don't get lost
among all the intricacies especially since it seems as though you plan
to have quite a few characters who will play significant roles. Be
mindful of characterization and creating material necessary for plot
structure and characterization and not just adding unnecessary material.
Also watch that each character is distinct enough so readers don't
become confused about who is who in a story.

You sound like you have a good handle on where you want this to go.
You've really thought and mapped out a good beginning for this story.
For me, I find that beginning the writing process, my characters and
plot take shape more so than when just thinking and working on outlines.
It's good to have an initial outline, but often, once you start writing,
the story will take on it's own life; it will go where it wants to go,
grin. This is just my approach, but even with detailed outlines, when I
actually write it, it often doesn't go the way I want it to, or I find a
new direction. Of course the writing process is as unique as each
individual writer, so you need to find what works for you.

Sincerely,
Bridgit Kuenning-Pollpeter
Read my blog at:
http://blogs.livewellnebraska.com/author/bpollpeter/
 
"History is not what happened; history is what was written down."
The Expected One- Kathleen McGowan

Message: 22
Date: Mon, 09 Jan 2012 22:05:39 -0800
From: vejas <brlsurfer at gmail.com>
To: stylist at nfbnet.org
Subject: [stylist] more about my sqry
Message-ID: <4f0bd562.0762e00a.538b.6690 at mx.google.com>
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=iso-8859-1; format=flowed

Here's my main plot for the story I'm thinking of, that I might 
share with you.
The main character is I think Ariana, although I might change 
that.  Ariana and her parents go to Sunday brunch at Ariana's 
grandparents' house weekly.  She can get along with her 
grandmother just fine, but her grandfather neither she nor her 
parents can seem to reach out to.  Also, Ariana has discovered 
that she was the sole survivor of a set of quadruplets, two 
identical boys and her identical twin sister.  She feels guilty 
about the fact that she doesn't feel she's missing something 
inside.
Then later in the book we find out that the grandfather, too, was 
the sole survivor of a set of quadruplets, also two boys and two 
girls.  They help ease each other through the pain.
I'm a multiples geek, aren't I?
Any suggesttions on how my story line could differ?
Vejas