THE CRAFT OF WRITING — FEBRUARY 2024

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This year the CRAFT OF WRITING blog is focusing on Aspects of the Novel, such as Plot, Dialogue, Characterization, etc. Last month James Scott Bell walked us through a discussion of Voice.

This month, I’m excited to welcome DiAnn Mills, a multi-award-winning novelist and craft of writing expert who will help us master that most important writing skill, Plotting. Here are a couple of her craft books.

So take out your notebooks and pens because we’re going to plot! (And don’t miss DiAnn’s bio at the end of the post.)

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Once again, we’re doing something fun for this interview. The name of each person who enters a comment will be put into the drawing for the unique “Wilbur and Orville 1903” Propeller pen, hand-crafted by my friend and colleague Steve Hooley. Steve has made several of these pens to celebrate the release of my latest novel, Lacey’s Star: A Lady Pilot-in-Command Novel, and I couldn’t be more honored. The pen is made from Ash, one of the woods the Wright brothers used to build their first aircraft. So join the conversation and earn a chance to win. I’ll post the name of the winner after 9 PM Central Time tomorrow night.

(Previous 2024 winners are not eligible to win.)

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Welcome to the Craft of Writing blog, DiAnn, and thank you for joining us!

I’m honored to be here. What fun to talk about the craft of writing. Not everyone speaks our language, so this is fun. As a writer, we are always looking for ways to improve our craft. I’m right there with you by reading and rereading the how-to blogs, articles, and books.

How would you define “plot?” How is a plot different from a story?

Plot is the map a character uses to solve a problem or reach a goal. Each scene contains a specific goal that moves the character forward.

The story is everything that happens to the POV characters on the journey to solve a problem or reach a goal. On that journey, character, plot, emotion, setting, dialogue, and other literary techniques show character growth and change.

Another way to look at the difference between plot and story is this: Plot is the scavenger hunt; story is the people and obstacles, victories and defeats that are encountered along the way.

I have read that plot is the one aspect of writing that authors are most afraid of. Why do you think writers are worried about their ability to produce a good plot?

I think that goes back to technique or how-to. Some writers are seat of the pant or discover writers, often called pansters. Other writers are careful outliners. While others are a hybrid. For the record, I’m the discovery writer.

I use a four-question approach. Before writing each scene, I ask myself the following:

  1. What is the POV character’s goal or problem to solve in this scene?
  2. What new information does the POV character learn?
  3. What backstory is revealed. *Note avoid backstory is the first approximately 50 pages of the novel. This is where the character is “dating” the reader. The story needs to move forward and show the character’s worth to the reader. We’re looking at the reader spending hours with this character. Another caution is to avoid weaknesses and flaws in the POV character for approximately 50 pages – for the same reason.
  4. How are the stakes raised?

The scene is the action. After the scene or a series of scenes, comes an internal reaction resulting from what’s happened in the scene or scenes. This ensures the following:

External – Goal, Conflict, High Stakes

Internal – Reaction, Dilemma, Decision. This is always, always short.

How has the development of a good plot changed over the years? How is it different now than it was a hundred years ago?

I’d say POV and the emphasis of deepening the experience for the character and thus the reader with credible emotions. This makes the plotter tighter/more focused.

What makes a good plot? Do you advise authors to write to specific plot points (e.g., inciting incident, first pinch point, dark night of the soul)?

This depends on the type of plotter and the method the writer’s brain functions. I’d like to emphasize that the writer must work according to how their brain processes and analyzes story. With that said, I write toward:

  1. The first open doorway which is 1/5 to ¼ of the way into the novel. This is where the POV character determines to go after the goal.
  2. Mid-point, I toss in a wrench. In other words, something about the plot changes the story.
  3. End of middle, the climax.
  4. Resolution

And I follow the 4 plot questions for each scene with a short narrative showing the internal reaction.

What role does emotion play in creating a plot?

Everything! Emotion is why a reader keeps turning pages. Characters, and so readers, must experience the 7 universal emotions throughout. surprise, fear, anger, sadness, disgust, happiness, and contempt.

What examples do you have of other authors who have written outstanding plots?

Jerry Jenkins, Charles Martin, Steven James, Hank Phillippi Ryan, David Baldacci, Markus Zusak, Lynette Eason – to name a few.

Are there exercises authors can do to develop their ability to create a good story?

Pray for direction.

Read. Read. Read.

Read the blogs, books, and articles about writing.

Read in your genre.

Read the bestsellers and use them as a textbook by underlining and taking notes.

Attend in person and online writing workshops and conferences.

Write. Write. Write.

Help other writers.

Repeat.

Tell us more about you. Outside of writing, what other things are you interested in?

Reading, cooking and baking, gardening, and spending time with family.

Where can we find out more about you and your work?

Here’s where you can learn more about me and connect with my social media platforms. https://diannmills.com

I love to hear from readers and writers! diann@diannmills.com

Thank you, DiAnn, for being with us today.

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Meet DiAnn Mills

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards, the Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, an active member of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. DiAnn continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

Learn about all of DiAnn’s books and connect with DiAnn@diannmills.com.

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