Author Paula Munier on How to Create the Perfect Plot

The Writing Podcast

How do you keep your reader reading till the wee hours of the morning—because they have to figure out how the story ends? You must create a narrative arc that, scene by scene, plot point by plot point, keeps the reader questioning.

Paula Munier, author of Plot Perfect: Building Unforgettable Stories Scene by Scene, offers a plot-building strategy that works no matter the genre you’re writing in.

Great Moments in the Episode

6:19-7:10: How people decide to buy a book.

7:10-8:52: The importance of the first page and “that feeling” you want readers to experience.

8:54-12:42: What is an inciting incident and why you need it immediately in your story.

13:02-16:01: Definition and examples of big story questions and small story questions—and how to use them to make your story different.

16:20-18:05: How to plant major and minor story questions to drive your story.

18:10-20:01: Why you must know your genre to know your obligatory story questions.

23:24-24:58: Using index cards to help you visually plot your story.

25:00-27:04: How to use your genre tropes without becoming cliché.

30:27-35:48: Tips for writing a visually engaging setting that sets the tone and creates tension.

39:15-41:25: How to know if your writing is good before you pitch a literary agent.

Words of the Episode

Vermillion: A deep, brilliant red color.

Stelliferous: Having or abounding with stars.

Paula Munier’s Books to Check Out!

Plot Perfect

Home at Night

Follow Journey Sixty6

https://www.journeysixty6.com/

https://www.youtube.com/@journeysixty6writingforpub

https://www.facebook.com/journeysixty6

https://www.instagram.com/journeysixty6/