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Writers Retreat > Student Talk > PLOT, DON'T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT > 2nd Plot Game Resolution
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Author Topic: 2nd Plot Game Resolution  (Read 1507 times)
jfields
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« on: June 03, 2011, 08:30:45 PM »
Okay, let's see how you did!

#1 Has a plot. Bear finds an egg and clearly feels pressure to return it to its mom. He climbs trees, trying to find the bird it belongs to -- so active action. Then he just sits and cuddles it and his warmth lets it hatch -- making the mom obvious. So the resolution totally depends on Bear's action. The ending could use a bit of a tweak but definitely a plot.

#2. Another plot though with less pressure. Bear has three great activities offered but he can't concentrate on the one he's doing and the things don't work out -- but again, this is totally because of Bear's actions, not someone else's. In the end, because of the way he responded to the plot pressure of wanting to do everything, he was left with mostly a learning experience. It's not a really thrilling plot, and is a smidge pedantic, but it is a plot...and since it could be really funny, the pedantic might not keep an editor from buying it.

#3. Here you have co-main characters with a plot. This is always risky but they have a clear story problem. They want to play but can't seem to find something to do together. But they keep trying and finally find a task that uses both their talents. So the characters are responsible for their happy ending. But co-main characters DOES weaken it. It's a plot, for sure. But by splitting the main character job, it would be much harder to get kids to relate to them.

#4. This is a "slice of life" -- a day in the life of a bear. For really young kids, you could probably write it and sell it. Especially if it was nicely sensory. But it's not a plot and doesn't really even try to be one.

#5. This is another slice of life though it's much more plottish. A very young bear cub mistakes other animals for bears -- until he finally tries guessing the identity of the last animal he sees and it really is a bear. So the little bear makes a new friend. It has action but really no pressure, it's plottish more than plotted. Again, since it's a kind of guessing game where the very young reader would be able to show he/she is smarter than bear (always fun for preschoolers), it could possibly sell...but it's not quite a plot.
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« Reply #1 on: June 03, 2011, 08:44:20 PM »
Yay, both of the ones I picked had plot! I missed the third one, though.
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« Reply #2 on: June 03, 2011, 09:17:32 PM »
I picked 1,2,3, and 4.  I thought maybe in #4 the the weather was applying the pressure (bear against nature) so his solution was to go back to sleep.  Oh well, I'm learning.
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« Reply #3 on: June 03, 2011, 09:55:16 PM »
Quote from: Rick Starkey on June 03, 2011, 09:17:32 PM
I picked 1,2,3, and 4.  I thought maybe in #4 the the weather was applying the pressure (bear against nature) so his solution was to go back to sleep.  Oh well, I'm learning.

Good thinking. Actually I would say that also makes it plottish. After all, he does choose his own actions and make his own decision. And if you think of the cold winter weather as a pressure, I could see that. I think it's slight at best, but I could see how it could be argued to be plottish.
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« Reply #4 on: June 03, 2011, 09:57:41 PM »
I picked one and three. I was SO confused about some of those, so thanks a million for the explanations. I'm gonna go do some more studyin' on those certain plots.

Toda raba!
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« Reply #5 on: June 03, 2011, 10:17:30 PM »
Quote from: Londy Leigh on June 03, 2011, 09:57:41 PM
Toda raba!

What language is this, Londy? I noticed you said "toda" in another thread, but I haven't been able to find a translation that made sense. (Not knowing which language to translate makes a big difference...)
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« Reply #6 on: June 03, 2011, 10:20:18 PM »
Hebrew for "Thank you very much" with Toda being "thank you" and raba being "very much."
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« Reply #7 on: June 03, 2011, 10:22:38 PM »
Toda raba, then, for the translation!
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« Reply #8 on: June 03, 2011, 10:23:51 PM »
It is also Slovic (or Slovenian)

Something like "not for the use of"


...which really wouldn't apply here...


...so, nebbermind...
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« Reply #9 on: June 03, 2011, 10:30:01 PM »
I picked 1 and 3... but not 2. But at least I didn't choose a plotless one this time!  Grin
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« Reply #10 on: June 03, 2011, 10:59:31 PM »
One and three as well. Darn it! I missed two. Jan, you iz SO SNEAKY! Cheesy
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« Reply #11 on: June 04, 2011, 07:36:25 AM »
1 & 3 here!  I'm just happy I got part of it right this time...
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« Reply #12 on: June 04, 2011, 10:53:38 AM »
I also picked 1 and 3...thought about 2, but decided it really wasn't.  Wrong!

A question about plot, can I ask it here?  Well, shoot, I'll ask anyway and Jan can move it if it's the wrong place.

Does a picture book for 4-6 year olds have to have a "real" plot?  Example:  5 year old girl finds a monster hiding in her closet.  He's hiding because he's supposed to be a "scary, under-the-bed" monster, except 1) he's too fat to get under the bed, and 2) he's so funny looking kids laugh at him instead of being scared by him.  He wants nothing more than to go home to Monsterland, but they won't let him until he becomes a "real" monster.  Little girl decideds tohelp him out, and she solves the problem for him.

The problem is not the MC's, but she resolves the problem for the monster.  Is this an acceptable plot for a PB, or not?

Be gentle...I'm way out of my comfort zone in trying to write for widdle kids  Grin
« Last Edit: June 04, 2011, 10:55:41 AM by Mikki S » Logged
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« Reply #13 on: June 04, 2011, 11:42:08 AM »
The plot pressure on HER is her desire to help. So he plot problem is that she has met a new friend (a monster) who is miserable and she wants to help him. Since the actions (helping him through his problem) are hers, it's her plot. And it sounds like she finds some kind of resolution so it's a plot.

BUT, not all picture books have a plot. Some basically get by on a mixture of strong characterization, humor, and theme. If you have humor, you can get by without plot. But strong characterization and theme without plot OR humor is going to be called a "quiet" book and lately, that's been the kiss of death with publishers.

But your plan here does, in fact, have a plot. If a main character takes on someone else's problem and cares deeply about solving it...that's internal pressure and that is what is driving the main character's action and that's what she/he is going to work to resolve. So it's a plot.
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« Reply #14 on: June 04, 2011, 12:53:36 PM »
AHA!  Thankee kindly, Jan  Smiley Smiley
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