Writing: Plot and Setting

I've seen two ways that author's approach this task.

The first way: a lot of sensory detail and description in the opening page. This way often contains long sentences of detail that could become trite and boring if the writer doesn't provide proper sentence variety.

The second way: (recommended) Short sentences to start. Maybe even a fragment if you can get away with it. "Vroom vroom." "BAM!" "Rugged breathing, sound asleep." "Thunder." "Shooooooosh! A passing plane..." "Honk! Honk! 'Hey you, get the hell outta tha street!'"

Those short sentences capture your eye and invite you into a world of sound. The reader wants to hear more, to know what made that noise, to get your explanation as to why the character is standing outside or inside listening to this and how he/she feels about it.

No, a plot is the entire story line, including an exposition, a rising action, a climax, a falling action and conclusion. An event is something that occurred in the plot.

The setting in "A Ledge to Grind On" potentially influences the emotional and physical challenges faced by the characters. For instance, a precarious ledge setting might amplify the characters' sense of danger and desperation, leading to high stakes and tension in the plot. Additionally, the setting may also symbolize the characters' internal struggles or represent the obstacles they need to overcome.

In literature, a "where" refers to the physical location or setting of a story. If a book has multiple settings, each distinct location is considered a separate "where." Authors use these varied settings to create different atmospheres, develop characters, and advance the plot.

EM Forster said that plot is the cause-and-effect sequence of events that make up the story, where one event leads to the next in a chain reaction. He believed that plot should be organic and arise naturally from the characters and their actions.

If you mean a site that lists the plots to short stories that are already written, pull up your search engine and type in something like "classic short stories" or "read short stories online" -- I've put in a link below.

If you mean a site that lists various plots you could use to write your own, pull up the search engine and type in "20 Basic Plots" -- I've put in a link below.

I've also put in a link to a question explaining how authors get ideas for their stories.

Attention to the setting is used to highlight the rank and status of characters throughout the story. The setting also shows the changes in the relationship between Daisy and Mr. Winterbourne and her disregard for social propriety.

It is not quite correct. The correct sentence would be, " One of the best things about reading short stories is that you can complete them in one sitting." What you wrote is incorrect because you chose to say 'One of the best things'. One is not plural, and goes with 'is', whereas plural (such as 'Some of the best things') go with 'are'.

Think about this for a minute and you can figure it out. Would a horror story be spookier if it was set in an old, deserted house or an abandoned ghost town? Would a romance story be more exotic if it was set on a tropical island or in a castle? Setting can create the right mood for your story if you want it to.

Yes, a novel typically has a setting, which is where and when the story takes place. It also has a plot, which is the sequence of events that make up the story. In addition, a novel usually has a theme, which is the underlying message or central idea that the author is trying to convey.

A plot is essential to a movie or literary work as it provides the structure for the unfolding of events and helps to create tension, conflict, and resolution. It guides the audience or readers through the narrative by presenting a sequence of events that keep them engaged and interested in the story being told. A well-crafted plot can help to drive character development, reveal themes, and create emotional impact on the audience.

Well, the theme could have a greater impact in each part. For example, in the novel Dune, the novel is split into thirds that could each be a story on their own. The first gives the background, introducing the theme and the problem. The second adds more "flavor" to the theme, making it really resonate with the reader. In the third, the theme becomes quite dark, and its real life implications are made quite clear by the dramatic conclusion.

Hope this helps!

No, a critic does not always need to spoil the plot details. The focus should be on providing an analysis or opinion on the film's quality, performances, direction, etc., without giving away crucial plot points that could ruin the viewing experience for readers. Giving a general idea of the plot without revealing major spoilers can be sufficient for readers to understand the context of the review.

You don't "make" the exposition! It's already in the story because the plot is whatever happens in the story. You just need to figure out which part of the story is the exposition.

The setting and time period of a story can greatly influence the plot and characters by providing context for their behavior, beliefs, and motivations. For example, a story set in a medieval castle may feature characters driven by feudal obligations, while a story set in a futuristic society may explore the impact of advanced technology on human relationships. Additionally, the setting can create opportunities for conflict and development as characters navigate the challenges unique to their surroundings.

It's important to first identify key elements of the story such as the exposition, rising action, climax, falling action, and resolution. Once these are clear, you can begin mapping out how the plot unfolds through these stages. This will help ensure that your plot diagram accurately reflects the structure of the story.

There are two different kinds of conflict. There's External which means, like a character in the story verses nature, or a character verses society, or it could even mean one character faces another. But, internal conflict is something like a mental debate with the inside of a character. Their arguing with themselves. For example, if you really wanted to go with your friends one night out drinking or just messing around and then another group wants you to go with them to watch a movie at the theater. Then you're having a conflict inside yourself debating which group to go with, this is internal conflict.

The setting was a beautiful beach at sunset. The characters were captivated by the stunning colors of the sky and the peaceful sound of the waves. They felt a sense of tranquility and serenity in this picturesque environment.

The setting can influence the plot by creating obstacles for the characters to overcome, such as extreme weather conditions or geographical features. Additionally, the setting can set the mood and atmosphere of the story, impacting the characters' emotions and decisions.

"Puppy" by George Saunders is a short story that follows the protagonist, Callie, as she reluctantly agrees to take a job selling expensive and overly pampered puppies in a department store. Through her interactions with customers and her own personal struggles, Callie begins to question the morality of her job and the treatment of the puppies. The story explores themes of consumerism, empathy, and the search for personal integrity.

It depends on what kind of story you're trying to write. For fast pace novels, the plot is slightly more important, although you can't afford to neglect the characters. For novels with a slower pace, you can focus more on characterisation, although again you can't neglect the plot. Generally it depends on what kind of a writer you are; I tend to give plot the slight edge over character while keeping the characters strong, but one person I know will sacrifice plot for character, another finds setting and atmosphere the most important, and I used to mostly disregard character.