Your Step-by-Step Plot-Building Kit:
From Nothing to Exciting Plot 
in 10 Days or Less
(Even If You Have No Clue and No Story Idea)

+ Complete Transcripts

Build Your Plot Now

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 Discovering Plottinator was some kind of a revelation for me. I’m a writer of classical police novels, but wanted to take the plunge into the world of thrillers and was wrestling with a story without being able to find the right form for it when I came across Plottinator. Just one look convinced me that this was what I needed, and I was not mistaken.


Alex’s course is truly magnificent. It guides you step by step while you are crafting the storyline for your novel. With every lesson you can witness how your story gains shape, and on top of it, does so in a logical manner.


Plottinator fulfills everything it promises and much more. It’s the perfect manual to construct the master plotlines which will support your main story and the substories, in a way that everything is thought of and fits perfectly, once the time comes to sit down and write.


A magnificent discovery and much, much recommended to everybody who wants to rely on a well-equipped outline before they start their writing process.

Ana Bolox Testimonial

Marina Arroba Fernández ("Ana Bolox")

Madrid, Spain; Website

Read This!

*Sigh* Always trouble with that plot, right? Can’t live with it, can’t live without it…

I know, it’s tricky.

So many things to think about: Organizing all of those plot threads and making the damn thing flow. Making everything interesting and original, then stepping back and figuring out if it all makes sense.

So many smelly questions that slowly bubble up like flatulence under water:

Where and how should you start? How long should your scenes be? How do you create your big ‘story beats’ and bring in sufficient action and enough twists and turns? What if you get stuck in the middle, wondering “Where do I go from here?”

And later on, you are asking yourself: How do I raise the stakes with impact and get the climax right? Is my ending working? Is there only one murderer, or is the whole Garden Club in on the crime? How should I even approach my single scenes to make them memorable?

Then, of course, there are the fundamental questions:

How do you flesh out a general plot into scenes and details? In other words: How do you create 'meat' out of a story idea?

What’s the best way to establish an outline from start to finish, knowing what to keep and what to throw away? How can you figure out what happens next in a way that's logical, interesting, surprising and organic at the same time?

Basically, how do you not make the plotline look like a ball of yarn after the cat has gotten to it...?

Oh, and do you have to humor the 3-act structure and all of these other writing rules they tell you to obey?

You are left scratching your head. But wait, there is more: 

How do you possibly keep out clichés?

What’s the best way to include backstory without interrupting the flow?

Also, do you have enough conflict? Which conflicts are best to put in?

The subplots get you wondering, too: What should they be about? How many subplots do you need, and how should you balance them with the main plot? Oh, and what’s with weaving in a new plot thread?

Maybe you just don't know what to do in-between the big events; how to lead up to them without slowing the pace or having your readers lose interest. Is it okay to have some chapters move the story along but be more pedestrian?

Or maybe your major events are too close together, or your pacing feels off in another way.

Of course, there is also the risk of a plot bunny popping up and shooting you down the rabbit hole of pointlessness at any time.

Seriously, you have as much potential for failure as the crowd at a karaoke bar on any given Saturday night.

You plan your chapters and you think you kind of have it all under control, until suddenly, your plot lines sputter and you are left with characters twiddling their thumbs.

"Wait,” you say. “This actually sucks! There's no arc, the whole thing is undeveloped, my plot layouts are garbage and the world is dumb."

It’s frustrating. Maybe you put it all aside for a while and go watch your favorite TV show to get a glimpse of plotlines that actually work. Or maybe you silently cry into your Harry Potter or your 50 Shades of Grey hardcover (depending on what floats your boat).

But eventually, you are back because you are not a quitter (most of the time, anyways).

Then next thing you wonder about is where did you land on the interest curve? Is this whole thing working? Why didn’t you just stick to writing postcards and cooking recipes, like your friends?  

So many questions.

How do you make the theme work?

How do you fill holes in your story and connect the dots between scenes you already have?

Should you re-order the scenes? How do you cut down the fat?

Aaaaaaargggg!! You are pulling your hair out. The list of things to think about seems endless.

I know exactly what you are struggling with because I have heard all of your plot worries time and time again from you, my readers. And at some point in the past, I was struggling with them myself.

After all, it’s a list of predictable questions. Albeit a very long list, mind you…

Some of you are wondering if your stories even leave your readers with a thought, an emotion – something that makes it worth the read (some stories have an ah-ha moment, others not so much…).

Some are writing a series and are not sure how and where to end each individual book and how to construct the overall plot. How do you set up a multi-book plot? Should you leave your readers hanging for more? 

And some feel like their story only consists of 'sweet little things' that don’t go anywhere.

Some also worry about the most basic of all questions: How can they create a plot from scratch if they have literally nothing at all, not even an idea?

Your story might not even come to you in a linear way from beginning to end either. You might be asking yourself if you can write the final part first and go from there; or what to do if you have a character that doesn’t leave you alone, but you don’t even have a glimpse of a story; or if it’s possible to start with just a middle scene, a theme or an image.

Plot feels like an impenetrable jungle to you, and you don’t even have a clue where to begin to clear the thicket.

And that’s totally understandable. You are not the only one who feels lost in the endless depths of plotting; believe me.

Because let’s be real: Plot is a complex topic!

It might seem like a simple thing when you are reading a well-written novel or watching a sweeping movie, but… oh boy… there is so much more going on under the hood. It seems like you have to keep 53 things in mind at once, like a superhuman juggler from outer space with at least 18 arms.

You are looking for advice on the internet or in writing books, but most of it is generic, or it’s only isolated tips, or it’s very theoretical advice you are left alone with, without any idea of how to put it into practice.

Because plotting is a bit more complex than a simple “Do this, then that!”

“10 tips on how to fry an egg”?

Yes, a post like that will probably be enough to get you to fry a decent egg.

“10 tips on plotting”?

Not so much.

You can’t explain how to outline an exciting, thriving, compact and well-balanced story in 10 tips. Plotting is too multi-faceted, and what you really need, if you are serious about plotting and you are having trouble, is a complete and smart system.

So where does all of this lead us?

(He he, I can imagine you know where this is going… just wait… this is going to be good!!)

Let me introduce you to:

The Guide I Would Have Killed for 

When I Started out Writing

(Even though I can hardly kill a spider - imagine that! I like killing on paper only)

I have dedicated the past 8 months of my life to creating the most supportive, most streamlined, most effective, most practical guide to your perfect plot I could possibly create.

This is seriously the best guide on outlining I have ever come across, be it on the internet or in print… by far! And it’s for sure the most hands-on one:

  • I designed this program as a “building-kit,” a step-by-step system that will get you to your perfect plot in 10 days or less.
  • This is a video course you can go through at your own pace. Repeat or skip lessons and come back to them whenever you want. You will receive your personal log-in password and can access the program for unlimited time whenever you are ready. In case you prefer written text, the complete transcripts are also included.
  • Your plot-building process will start with the very basics, so you don’t have to know anything about plotting and outlining beforehand.
  • I made sure to break down concepts that might sound confusing, like “subplot” or “pacing,” into easily digestible chunks that are simple to implement.
  • What part of your story comes to you first? You can start plotting the standard way from the beginning; or from a character you have; or from a middle or end scene you have; or even just from a theme or image.
  • 36 printable fill-in-the-blanks templates, cheat sheets and checklists will force you to focus on what matters and make your plotting process crystal clear to you.
  • You will also be able to look over my shoulders while I create not one, but three complete plots in three different genres (romance, fantasy and mystery). Before every little step you make, you can watch me make that same step three times for three very different plotlines (then find the full plots in the bonus section).
  • This building-kit isn’t there for you to create some plot, somehow, with a beginning, a middle and an end. No, this is for you to create a thriving, exciting, well-rounded plot that has everything all the great stories we all love have.
  • Receive all future add-ons and extensions to the main program for free

You will set one foot in front of the other, and within 10 days maximum, you will be holding your exciting, polished outline on 3-6 pages in your hands.

 With "Plottinator," Alex created the most straightforward, organized guideline and its templates are pure magic! Plottinator was a huge hit with us and helped my husband and I finish our now published novel “Juliette’s Van Gogh.”


Alex seems to be by your side as you write ... stepping you through the task at hand and getting and keeping you on your path!


 PS: Alex is a writer’s best friend and mentor!

Carol Scribner & Larry Decker

Sedona, Arizona; Website

How Would You Like This…? 

Follow Me for a Moment into Writer’s Paradise!

Follow me for a moment into your wildest dreams – into writer’s paradise!

Maybe you have Agatha Christie, or Tolkien, sitting under a sunshade enjoying your novel; Jane Austen is giving you plotting advice to make your readers fall in love with you, and Faulkner proofreads.

I understand your desires… but let’s for a moment stick with a more realistic scenario, shall we?

Imagine it’s 10 days from now and picture…

  • …in your hands you are holding 3-6 pages of the most incredible story plot you have ever written.
  • …feeling that everything, as far as the plot is concerned, is done! No need to worry about it anymore.
  • …your joy and excitement about having gotten the best possible plot out of yourself, on point and polished.
  • …how pumped and motivated you would be about having everything in order and all questions answered.
  • …the excitement of your trusted beta-testers (in case you decide to give out your outline for feedback).
  • …having a crystal clear plan about how to proceed during your first draft, and therefore being able to fully focus on your paragraphs and sentences while writing out your scenes.
  • …how you would save yourself all the second-guessing during writing: No major re-writes, no confusion, no stalling or scratching your head about how to continue.
  • …how fast and easily you could write your first draft.
  • …ultimately, how irresistible your first scene, how sharp your story arcs, how much fun your subplots, how breathtaking your climax, and how moving your message would be, gluing your readers to the page.
  • …how happy and proud you would be about your exciting, tight and well-balanced novel, once it is finished.
  • …how enthusiastic agents and publishers could get when they finally, amongst piles of pitiful writing, see something tight and well-made.
  • …the warm wave of appreciation that will wash over you when your readers let you know how your story kept them awake at night.
  • …being able to use this system on all of your future stories, forever, as it becomes automated and effortless for you.
  • (…how much fun you would have during this entire program/building process. Because I take fun seriously.)

Lofty ideas, I know.

Want a precise game plan?

Build Your Plot Now

How You Will Get to Your Exciting Outline in 10 Days (or Less):

DAY 1:

You will make some basic decisions on how to proceed:

Will you use the 3-act structure? If yes, how closely will you stick to it? Will you create your outline methodically, point by point, or spurt out your ideas? Do you need to find your 20-minute insta-plot? Are you the type of writer to start with story idea, or characters, or theme, or a specific scene(s)?

--------> You can find all of that in Lessons 1-4 and in Lessons 7-9.

DAYS 2-3:

You will plot out a rough structure of the biggest turning points, so you know the basics of what is what in your story.

--------> You can find all of that in Lessons 5 and 6.

DAYS 4-5:

You will give your story a killer beginning (first scene), climax, and ending, and also learn how to get the most out of your single scenes.

--------> You can find all of that in Lessons 10 to 13.

DAYS 6-7:

You will plan your subplots, pacing, flow, and theme, and use all of these to make your story a compelling, compact, thriving unit.

--------> You can find all of that in Lessons 14-17.

DAYS 8-9:

You will check your story specifically for exciting conflict, additional turning points, a sagging middle, boring filler scenes, interesting locations and dynamic character development.

--------> You can find all of that in Lessons 18-23.

DAY 10:

You will go through the “Checklist Plot” in Bonus Lesson A and give your story one last check for anything that could be missing and any problem it could possibly have.

--------> Then, with the help of the Troubleshooter Bonus Module, you will resolve any problems of your outline.

  • Yes, you can really get to your exciting master plot within 10 days. It’s absolutely realistic because once you know about the mechanics of a plot, creating it goes quite rapidly.
  • I created each of the example plots within about two days, plus a couple of more days of sporadic work for tweaking, connecting some dots and solving some plot problems. And you can do it in 10 days easily, that’s for sure.
  • 10 days is actually a conservative estimate. The main reason to stretch the whole process out over 10 days is to refine your plot and to give your brain time to subconsciously find ideas and solve any possible plot problems.

"I am a pantser, who was halfway through my third action novel, not knowing quite where I was going to take it. I bought Alex's course because I realized I needed to have some sort of structure to move forward. 

I stopped writing, took the course, and then spent the time to outline the balance of my novel. Using the course and worksheets, I laid out scenes/chapters going forward, inserting conflict and tension, and many of the other elements the course explores.

It worked.  I will never write by the seat of my pants again. In my opinion, using the tools the course gave me is the only way to go."

Dick Berman, Florida (DickBerman.com)

"Alex breaks each aspect of plotting a novel into easily digestible bits. I like the way his lessons are clear and peppered with examples that illustrate the points he is making and move you through step by step. I wasn't a great believer in outlining, but this course has certainly converted me. Thanks, Alex!"

Ayesha Harben, Selangor, Malaysia (Website)

A Look Inside the Course:

The Four Steps to Your Perfect Plot 

(Course Outline)

STEP 1:

THE BASICS - CREATING FROM SCRATCH

Step 1 is about the basics.


It shows you why outlining is essential and talks about the 3-act structure as well as how to plant exciting questions in your story. It also includes a dead-simple way to create a plot in 20 minutes.


Step 1 will answer questions like:

  • Why will your stories be so much better with an outline?
  • How do you incorporate outlining into your day-to-day life?
  • How exactly does the 3-act structure work?
  • Do you really need the 3-act structure? What can it do for you?
  • What do most writing guides not tell you about the 3-act structure?
  • How can you create a simple plot very easily within 20 minutes?
  • What are story arcs, and how can they help you make your story better?
  • What’s a different, much more helpful way to think about story arcs?
  • What’s a simple tactic to keep your readers hooked?
  • Templates/Checklists: 3-Act Template, Speed Plotting Sheet, Story Arcs Template, etc.
  • And much, much more…

STEP 1 OVERVIEW


LESSON 1: Why Outlining Will Give You a Huge Advantage

LESSON 2: The 3-Act Structure and Why You Don’t Need It

LESSON 3: Plotting for Dummies: Your Dead-Simple Plot Done in 20 Minutes

LESSON 4: Story Questions (Story Arcs): How to Grab Your Audience and Keep Them Hooked

STEP 2:

YOUR STEP-BY-STEP 

PLOT-BUILDING KIT

Step 2 is where you will build up your plot from one tiny idea to a fully fleshed out story.


Whether you start with a story idea, characters, an image or a theme, we will go from idea to elevator pitch to full outline. We will also take a look at how you can make your beginning, your ending, your climax, and your single scene events to remember. You will now have your basic outline ready.


Step 2 will answer questions like:

  • What’s the first logical step in creating a new plot from scratch?
  • How does the 8-baby-steps system going from nothing to a full basic plot work?
  • How do you go from story idea to fully fleshed out scenes?
  • Which 5 cornerstone scenes do you want to establish first?
  • What’s the one final question you have to be able to answer with “yes” before you can move on?
  • What should your outline include?
  • How can you get to a full plot if you have nothing but a single character to start with?
  • How can you get to a full plot if you have nothing but a single scene from the middle or the end to start with?
  • How can you get to a full plot if you have nothing but a theme/message, or even just an image to start with?
  • How can you write a beginning that will pull your readers into the story irresistibly?
  • What are the two fundamentally different options you can choose from when picking your opening scene?
  • Ideally, which three concepts lead to a masterful first scene?
  • What are the three worst possible beginnings (the ones you should avoid at all costs)?
  • How can you raise the stakes to the absolute maximum, so your readers will shiver in anticipation of your climax?
  • What’s a rarely mentioned trick to make your readers beg for a happy end?
  • Which 3 writing style tricks will get fast pace and high tension across nicely?
  • What’s the one thing that really matters about your ending?
  • Which 5 fundamentally different forms of endings can you choose from and how do they work?
  • What is your denouement useful for (the short part after your ending)?
  • How can you craft a beautiful last line to remember?
  • Within a single scene, how can you make sense of all the chaos of plot goals, character motivations, actions and background noise and mold them all into a coherent and fun scene?
  • One golden tip to keep my scenes tight and interesting, please?
  • What’s a super effective way to think about single scenes?
  • How should you end your scene?
  • What are the worst possible ways to end your scene?
  • Templates/Checklists: Story Starter Worksheet, Scenes List, Index Cards (Cut-outs), Climax Worksheet, Ending Worksheet, etc.
  • And much, much more…

STEP 2 OVERVIEW


LESSON 5: Your Plot-Building Kit: From Story Idea to Plot

LESSON 6: What Your Outline Should Include

LESSON 7: If Characters Come to You First

LESSON 8: If Single Scenes or Images, or the Ending Come to You First

LESSON 9: If Theme Comes to You First (Converting Idea into Story)

LESSON 10: Starting with a Bang

LESSON 11: Your Climax: The Moment Everybody Has Been Waiting for (Raising the Stakes)

LESSON 12: Creating an Ending to Remember

LESSON 13: How to Construct Your Single Scene

STEP 3:

LAYING DOWN YOUR STRUCTURE

In Step 3, we will refine that outline and you might shuffle a few ideas around (or bring new ones in) to get to your masterful plot.


Enticing story rhythm, intriguing subplots and a strong theme all help to get your readers excited about your tale.


Step 3 will answer questions like:

  • What does “pacing and flow” really mean for your story?
  • How can you establish a seductive pace for your piece?
  • What are the 9 factors that make or break your story’s flow? How do you master them?
  • What should your subplots do for your story (3 functions)?
  • What are the main 3 subplot mistakes you see all the time?
  • What should interesting subplots be about?
  • How should you organize your subplots and lead them into and out of the main plot?
  • What’s one very enticing option for a fun subplot that always works?
  • A couple more complex, but enticing options for plotlines, please?
  • How do you handle multi-book plots for a powerful series?
  • How can you get to a theme/message that will move your readers and will stick with them long after they have finished your book?
  • How can you find your theme through one simple formula?
  • What does your theme have to do with subplots?
  • What’s sound advice to make all of the moving parts fit together seamlessly?
  • Templates/Checklists: Checklist Pacing and Flow, Subplot Worksheets 1, 2 and 3, Making Your Story Parts Fit Together (Checklist), etc.
  • And much, much more…

STEP 3 OVERVIEW


LESSON 14: Pacing and Flow: Draw Your Readers Deep Inside Your Story

LESSON 15: How to Make Your Subplots and Multi-Book Plots Work

LESSON 16: Powerful Messages and Subtext: How to Make Your Theme Work

LESSON 17: Making Your Story Parts Fit Together

STEP 4:

YOUR SECRET TOOLS

Finally, Step 4 will give you tools to add additional flavors to your plot, should you choose to do so.


You can, for example, use additional story twists, conflict and location to spice up your story even more.


Step 4 will answer questions like:

  • How much conflict does your story need?
  • Which are the 5 basic types of conflict you can exploit for your drama?
  • What are the two decisive ploys to really ramp up your conflicts?
  • What’s an easy formula to bring in additional twists and turns, even if your mind goes blank?
  • What’s a list of 13 tactics to bring power and drama into any sagging middle (guaranteed), and why do these tactics work so well?
  • How do you convert your boring filler scene into a scene your audience is royally entertained by (4 options)?
  • How do you choose a memorable location that supports your plot and even gives it deeper meaning?
  • What are the well-proven secrets to show your character’s change naturally progressing with the storyline?
  • Templates/Checklists: Conflict Worksheet, Additional Twists and Turns Cheat Sheet, Location Library, Character Change Worksheet, etc.
  • And much, much more…

STEP 4 OVERVIEW


LESSON 18: A Word about Conflict

LESSON 19: Additional Twists, Turning Points and Surprises Made Easy

LESSON 20: Stuck in the Middle: How to Turn Your Sagging Middle into Gold

LESSON 21: How to Make Boring Filler Scenes Exciting

LESSON 22: Take Advantage of Locations and Mood

LESSON 23: How to Show Your Character’s Change

 The Plottinator opened my eyes to a lot of concepts I couldn't grasp until I worked my way through this course. Scene and Sequel has always been my nemesis. The Plottinator's Scene Template asked questions that helped me through the thought process as to how a scene/sequel worked. The Three-Act Template helped me to put my story down in concise statements that helped me write a better synopsis.

The course gave me the freedom to choose which process and methods were the most useful and his tips and tricks plus the story examples in the Bonus Module helped guide me through the rough spots and inspired me on to continue writing the book of my heart. 

This is a course I will refer to over and over during my writing journey even if it's only to listen to Alex's deep, swoon-worthy, alpha-hero voice. (Yes, I write romance!) 

I learned so much more from the visuals than I would from just reading a craft book!

Marcia Lee Scott

Las Vegas, Nevada

I don't normally buy things like this online. I am so glad I did though. The course is so organised, straight forward and flexible. It accommodates different types of stories and different ways of constructing your plot, and really enables you to organise everything.


Before, I had no idea how to organise my thoughts or work, and with this course I can do that and produce proper well thought out stories without having to keep going back and reorganising because I've forgotten something or I need to redevelop the history of the story.


I am so glad I bought this course, I believe it's the best thing ever.

 

Best wishes,

Hazel

Hazel Davies

Exeter; UK 

Introducing the 36 Stylish Fill-in-the-Blanks Templates, Checklists and Cheat Sheets

What’s a lesson without something you can print out and take with you, like a fill-in-the-blanks template, a checklist or a cheat sheet?

These sheets will focus your attention on the most important points and outright force you to create your story elements the right way!

Almost every single lesson of Plottinator comes with at least one sheet. Print them out and fill them in and/or keep them next to you for guidance while writing.

These templates will make it easy for you to do the right thing, and obvious for you what each of your story parts needs. Together with the structure of Plottinator, they will guide you along like a red velvet rope. They are also a lot of fun to fill out (print them in color!).

Some of the featured sheets:

  • Your 10-Day Plan
  • Motivation Library (with 93 character motivations to choose from)
  • Location Library (with 216 locations to choose from)
  • My-First-Scene Worksheet
  • Climax Worksheet
  • Ending Worksheet
  • Scene Template (with full example scene)
  • Checklist Pacing and Flow
  • Subplot Worksheets 1, 2 and 3
  • “Making Your Story Parts Fit Together” Cheat Sheet
  • 3-Act Template
  • Speed Plotting Sheet
  • Scene List
  • Index Cards for Scenes (Cutouts)
  • Theme Mindmap
  • Conflict Worksheet
  • Additional Twists and Turns Cheat Sheet
  • Make Filler Scenes Exciting Cheat Sheet
  • Lean Novel Checklist
  • Background Info Planner
  • Emergency Troubleshooter List
  • And many more...
  • Also included is the Plot Checklist, an overall checklist/template that will make sure you take care of all the most important pieces of your plot. It helps you to keep an overview of all of your plot elements as well.

     But that’s not all...

M. Lee Scott,

Las Vegas, Nevada

3 Example Plots to Make It

Obvious for You What Works

Throughout the course, you will look over my shoulders to watch me create 3 full plots for 3 completely different genres (romance, fantasy, and mystery/crime).

This means: For every story element we will be talking about, you will get 3 practical examples.

  • These examples will make it clear as daylight which approach works and which one doesn’t and will therefore make it very easy for you to immediately create the same element for your own story.
  • When you are plotting your first scene, you will hear the first scenes of all three example plots, why they were chosen and why they work so well.
  • When you are injecting juice into your story’s sagging middle, you will hear how I avoided sagging middles in all three example plots, why I built in the particular scenes and drama I did, and how it all fits together with the story seamlessly.
  • You will be there right by my side, observing how I’m jumping over plot hurdle after plot hurdle like an enthusiastic race horse, and this will make it obvious and natural to you how to do the same with your own story. You then get your beginning/sagging middle/whatever it is done, and on we move, right to the next step.

For your convenience and overview, you will get the 3 complete example plots in the bonus section, plus a graphic display of how each of them fits into the 3-act structure.

The 3 example plots are one of the unique features of this program and will guide you to your perfect polished plot unerringly.

Oh, and of course… if your genre is romance, fantasy, or mystery/crime/thriller, you are in for a very special treat: You will watch me create a complete plot in your genre, step by step.

But even if you don't like one or several of these genres, you will learn a lot from them. It could be even better for you because you won't get distracted by a story you don't care about. If one of these genres just bores you, that will allow you to focus on the mechanics of the plot even better.

Here are the 3 example plots, one by one:

Example Plot 1:
“Dirty Naked Polls” (Romance)

“Dirty Naked Polls” is a romance story about a female high-profile politician falling in love with a male stripper. To top it all off, it happens in the middle of her election campaign. She can’t be with him, as that would ruin her public image.


Watch how these two most unlikely of lovers attract and repel each other, while her ruthless and corrupt political opponent tries to exploit their affair for his own agenda: Will love triumph over her career plans? What is she ready to go through for the love of her life? Will they be able to beat her opponent with his own weapons?


This could easily be a mainstream Hollywood romantic comedy.


See, for example:

  • What makes the opening scene so hilarious and at the same time so useful for the plot? (It fulfills 3 functions)
  • A close look at the dynamics of their first date, which takes place at the strip club: How do the motivations and plot goals lend the scene direction? What else comes in, and how does it all mold into one dramatic and funny encounter?
  • Which additional turning point do I bring in to give the plot another twist (even though technically not needed)? And how does this twist affect the storyline, the characters, and ultimately the readers’ emotions?
  • The theme of the story is a question that challenges many people, but it’s not brought up like a wagging finger. Watch how I incorporate the topic unobtrusively and create fun scenes that carry deep questions.
  • Witness how a wide range of intriguing locations (strip club, fundraiser dinner, TV studio, lavish party in Roman style villa, etc.) naturally find their way into the plot.
  • And a lot more…

Example Plot 2: 
“The Black Elixir” (Fantasy)

“The Black Elixir” is a fantasy story about a tight-knit group fighting to liberate the kingdom from an evil magician who sells poisonous potions. The king, the prince, a light-hearted elf lady and a feisty unicorn set out to bribe a grumpy dragon, and later find themselves on the run from the magician’s monstrous mercenaries.


Watch them narrowly escape a devious trap and gather their powers for the ultimate battle. Will the talking trees be convinced to hide them in their crowns? What forces does it take to stop the magician once and for all? And which animosities are threatening to tear apart their brave union?


See, for example:

  • How I ramp up the stakes throughout the story with different tactics, so the climax hits us with maximum impact and surprise (but still completely coherently).
  • The many ways the plot uses pacing and flow to continuously keep the storyline hot and exciting. 
  • How one of the main characters goes through deep change throughout the storyline, how his change matches the plot and the theme, and how it initiates an entire subplot.
  • The many ways in which the plot exploits bigger and smaller conflicts, and what makes it so easy to naturally insert new conflicts into this plot. 
  • And a lot more…

Example Plot 3: 
“Tango for Two” (Mystery)

“Tango for Two” is a mystery story about a woman who has vanished without a trace, and about a detective who has to resolve the gruesome puzzle of her life. Watch how the case only keeps on getting more and more mysterious, as some report to have attended her funeral, while others have supposedly seen her in the neighborhood.


Soon detective Dunner finds himself on graveyards digging for the ultimate evidence, but the truth is darker and more deeply layered than anything he ever imagined. What happened to the woman? Is she dead or alive? Does her seemingly desperate husband know more than he would like to admit, or is this just a red herring the author is laying out for us…?


See, for example:

  • The type of ending chosen, why it makes sense for this particular story, and the smart trick that adds additional spice to it.
  • A detailed analysis of how story questions are used to establish suspense and tension and never let the reader stop wondering.
  • How the story leads from main plot into a subplot and how this subplot supports the story’s theme, shows character development, brings in background information, and gets the reader more involved.
  • All of the little elements and tactics the story uses especially during its middle part to avoid a “sagging middle” and keep the action tight and suspenseful.
  • How we, very naturally, get to know the detective’s character right away, and how we get to like him and to emotionally invest in him.
  • And a lot more…


These are the 3 example plots, freshly dissected for you.

But that's not all.

If you buy the course during this launch, you will also get your hands on the following bonuses:

BONUS NUMBER 1: 

Your Troubleshooter Module to Overcome Any Plot Hurdle

The 10th day of the program is reserved for one last check: Are there any flaws left in your plot, or any last problems you need to straighten out?


Then use the Troubleshooter Module to shoot them all down once and forever!


This module deals with pretty much any plot problem under the sun that could possibly be left.


The Troubleshooter Module will answer questions like:

  • How can you bridge gaps in your plot?
  • If you have an intriguing scene left that just doesn’t want to fit in, how can you still slide it into your plot?
  • How do you fix a plot hole?
  • What should you do if your story lacks direction and goal?
  • How do you cut scenes and passages to keep your story tight and lean (9 test question for what to cut)?
  • How do you bring in background information without anybody noticing?
  • How can you avoid clichés?
  • What if you don’t know where to go next with your plot?
  • Also includes a complete, multi-page checklist/worksheet to check point by point if everything is how it’s supposed to be
  • And much, much more…

TROUBLESHOOTER BONUS MODULE OVERVIEW


LESSON A: Find out If Your Plot Is Lacking Something [Your Big Plot Checklist]

LESSON B: How to Connect the Dots and Steer Your Plot Anywhere You Like

LESSON C: How to Fix Plot Holes

LESSON D: If Your Story Lacks Direction and “Goal”

LESSON E: How to Cut Scenes and Passages to Make It Tight (What to Keep)

LESSON F: How to Bring in Background Unobtrusively

LESSON G: Making It Fresh: How to Avoid Clichés and Formulas

LESSON H: Emergency Troubleshooting: If You Don’t Know Where to Go Next with Your Plot

Bonus Number 2: 

Complete Transcripts of the Entire Course

If you prefer reading instead of watching a video… yes, I get it. You are probably a fast reader and/or just love reading (like most of my audience; why is this not surprising…?).

Fear not, because you will get the entire course, plus all of the bonuses, as nicely formatted transcripts, too.

Sit back in your chair and enjoy your lesson with a cup of tea, coffee or triple vodka on the rocks, while you are reading or skipping through the transcripts at your own pace.

Bonus Number 3: 

How to Write Commercial Fiction

Agents and Publishers Will Love

Publishers and agents receive piles of manuscripts from unknown authors on their desks every single day.

But what are the factors that will make your script stand out? Which manuscripts are screaming out loudly “I’m so marketable”?

Publishers and agents obviously want a story people will buy. But what makes such a story?

In this bonus, I’m dissecting the 4 big features that will make your fiction “commercial fiction” and bring the sounds of ringing cash registers into agents’ and publishers’ ears.

Keep these points in mind and your story will become very attractive to anybody who sells stories, and ultimately, should it be published, very tempting to the wallets of the public as well.

The bonus includes the Commercial Fiction Cheat Sheet.

"One thing I can tell you is that while the program is focussed on fiction writing, there are huge insights for someone like me, who is exploring the possibilities of literary non-fiction.

The lessons on story arcs, pacing and flow, making boring scenes interesting (I did a lot of work at the UN) are all decisive for what I intend to write. When I come back to fiction -I have the outline for a novel about love and renewal- it will require the use of Plottinator because for me it is an epiphany. I'm so enthusiastic and so grateful for what you have given me. Thank you so very much.

With all gratitude,
Cristian"

Cristian Maquieira; Santiago, Chile (Wikipedia)

PLOTTINATTOR  PLATINUM  Package

If you want to go even deeper down the rabbit hole of story building and study the depths of story mechanics and the rules of the genres, then the Plottinator Platinum Package is your golden (ahem, platinum) ticket.


Included in this premium package are:


1. Genre Secrets + Behind the Scenes

This course makes the core of the Platinum Package. We will dive deep into plot dynamics here.


The course will equip you with a sophisticated understanding of story dynamics in general and of the genres romance, fantasy and mystery/crime specifically.


You will see my exact thought process and the order in which I put the plots together (hint: not from the beginning) for all three plots. I will even give you color scans of my original brainstorming sessions and my subsequent scribblings, as I expanded on the original brainstorming ideas.


Make your understanding of the age-old art of storytelling automatic and intuitive; discover secrets about your genre you never thought of before.


Each of the three stories receives its own module, and each module consists of three lessons:


PART 1: Complete Plot Analysis

PART 2: Secrets of the Genre: What You Can Learn for Your Own Romance/Fantasy/Mystery/Crime Story

PART 3: Behind the Scenes: How I Constructed the Plot

2. Your Full Guide to Scene Transitions


Get your scene transitions right! If you are not sure how to set them up, this lesson will teach you everything you ever wanted to know about transitions and “scene cuts,” and show you exactly how you get them to shine.


This extensive session goes over all of your options, over cutting timelines and different techniques for “suspense cuts,” “smooth cuts,” and “motive cuts,” so you can pick from a variety of choices and never have to wonder again. It shows you what’s optional and what’s necessary and includes many examples.


3. Full Plottinator Audio Files (Downloadable)


Get all of the Plottinator lessons in audio format, so you can play them during your work-out, while driving, on a walk, or while you are waiting at the doctor’s office. 


Save a lot of time while you play them again and again to get the lessons engrained in your brain. All the audios are downloadable.

4. Plotter vs Pantser: 

What’s the Better Option for You?


This is a bonus video with my complete thoughts on plotting versus pantsing. We will shine the spotlight on all the advantages and disadvantages of both methods and you will hear what’s ultimately right for you (and why).

"What an awesome course! The writing skills I most need to improve concern book structure and plot development. Your course kick-started me (albeit painlessly) to a thorough understanding of what it takes to build a cohesive, fully developed work of fiction. 

Your tutorials are clear, well-illustrated with examples, and warmly encouraging. Outlining, usually a nightmare, is evolving into a doable, even exciting activity using your methods. I have downloaded and printed all of the templates and "cheat sheets" that go with each lesson and will use them like the holy book of plotting.

I have a couple of book shelves full of how-to writing books that confuse me as to outlining. Hereafter, I will simplify my writing life by using your course and its materials as my instruction manual for painless plotting.

I've decided that you're the go-to guy for writing help. Keep riding the magic pen! Heart"

Peggy Insula (Florida), Amazon Author Page

Aleta Dye; Aston, Pennsylvania

Okay, Alex. Tell me how much it is already!

I will.

But first, let me make one thing very clear:

If you have followed my free content for a while, you know that I only find it worth publishing an article if it delivers massive value. I take my paid content even more seriously because you are spending your hard earned money on it. 

Frankly, there are much higher priced courses out there that won't even be 20% as useful for you as this one is.

My paid content is even more practical, more in-depth, more complete, more systematic and even better organized than my free one. And with this program, you get the best of my best material - that's a promise.

To summarize, here is what you get:

  • Plottinator 10-Day Program to Find Your Perfect Story Plot
  • 36 Templates and Checklists to Make Plotting Self-Explanatory
  • 3 Full Example Plots to Make It Obvious What Works
  • Troubleshooter Bonus Module to Eliminate Last Plot Hurdles
  • How to Write Commercial Fiction People Love to Read Bonus
  • Self-paced Video Course
  • Complete Transcripts of Entire Program and of All Bonuses
  • 30 Day Money-Back-Guarantee (see below)
Instance 2
PLOTTINATOR BRONZE PACKAGE

             270.00€

    (~ $314.00)


or 6 x 54€

   (~ 6 x $63)


or 9 x 39€

    (~ 9 x $45)

  • 4-Step Plottinator Course
  • 28 Printable Templates
BUILD YOUR PLOT
PLOTTINATOR GOLD (MAIN) PACKAGE


      360.00€

      (~ $418.00)


 or 6 x 72€

     (~ 6 x $84)


or 11 x 42€

     (~ 9 x $49)

  • 4-Step Plottinator Main Course
  • 36 Printable Templates
  • Troubleshooter Bonus Module
  • Full Transcripts
  • Commercial Fiction Bonus
BUILD YOUR PLOT
pLOTTINATOR PLATINUM PACKAGE

    440.00€

   (~ $511.00)


or 4 x 156€

     (~ 4 x $181)


  • 4-Step Plottinator Main Course
  • 36 Printable Templates
  • Troubleshooter Bonus Module
  • Full Transcripts
  • Commercial Fiction Bonus
  • Genre Secrets + Behind the Scenes Course
  • Scene Transitions Special
  • Full Audio Files
  • Plotter vs. Pantser
BUILD YOUR PLOT

      Course goes back into the vault in...

02
Days
11
Hours
41
Minutes
22
Seconds
Instance 2

100% MONEY BACK GUARANTEE,

IF YOU ACTUALLY USE "PLOTTINATOR"

This program will either get you to your beautiful story plot that works like a charm in 10 days or less – or you return it and get your money back.


If you go through this program, fill in the templates and outline your plot, and your plot is not the best plot you ever outlined – then please, send me an email and I will refund you your money. In the odd case that you put in the work, but this program doesn’t make a HUGE difference for your story writing, I do not want your money.


Try the program. If for some reason it doesn’t help you, shoot me an email within 30 days. You will receive your entire money back within a day or two, easy as that, and get your access revoked. I just ask of you that you demonstrate to me you went through (a good part of) the lessons and actually tried building a plot with Plottinator.


This guarantee would be easy to abuse, but I still offer it because I’m 100% convinced my course will get you to your master plot (and because I know my readers and trust them).

Plot Once Drove Me Crazy Too…

Hi, I’m Alex, and rarely in my life have I felt as helpless and ineffective as when I was working on my first novel. I really, really wanted to make it awesome though!

But reading my very first attempt at a novel almost made me feel like crying. After all the hard work, I was just holding a hot mess in my hands: Timing of background info, page time of characters, subplots, climax, logical development… it all seemed cringeworthy.

That’s when I started to understand that I needed a system for my plot, which meant a solid outline. By writing that outline, not only turned my novels out so much better, but they were also so much easier to write.

Over the next years, I got to understand all of the mechanics and details that make an exciting plot work: What we are doing is forming a muddy pile of ideas into a beautiful piece of streamlined story pottery that excites publishers, agents and readers.

What was once my personal method of taking notes in scruffy notebooks is now a system of cleanly designed fill-in-the-blank templates waiting for you. With this program, take everything I have learned about plotting, molded into a step-by-step system.

Get this done with the minimum amount of confusion and headaches, and safe yourself years (or even decades) of trial and error. Don’t do it like me – go straight from point A to point B! And most importantly… enjoy the ride!

YOUR QUESTIONS, ANSWERED

Click on the questions for answers

I'm a pantser, I always just go with the flow. Is this course still for me?

I have never created a plot before. Will this work for me?

I don't have much time. How much time will this take?

Does the program follow established plotting patterns like the 3-act structure?

How realistic is it to get this done in 10 days?

I'm a more experienced writer. Can I still benefit from this course?

Will this course be updated? And will I get free access to future versions?

WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU BUY?

STEP 1: Enroll in Plottinator

Purchase the program with PayPal or credit card. It only takes a couple of seconds. 256-bit SSL encryption makes sure your data is secure.

STEP 2: You Will Immediately Receive an Email with All the Details

Find a link to the course page in your inbox, and take a couple of seconds to set your personal password.

STEP 3: You Will Have Access to the Complete Program

The course will be waiting for you, so you can dive right in. You will have access to it permanently (and even to any future improvements, updates and bonuses).

HAVE ANY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE 'PLOTTINATOR' COURSE?

DROP ME A LINE, I'M HERE TO HELP!

alex@ridethepen.com

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