Plot vs. Exposition
by Melanie Anne Phillips
A common misconception is that Plot is the order of events in a story. In
fact, the order in which events are unfolded for the reader or audience can be
quite different from the order in which they happen to the characters.
Plot, then, is really that internal progression of events, while the
reader/audience order is more precisely referred to as Exposition.
For an author, it is important to separate the two. Otherwise it is too easy
to overlook a missing step in the logical progression of the story because the
steps were put out of order in Exposition.
On the other hand, trying to separate the internal logic of the story from
the Exposition order really inhibits the creative muse. When working out a
story, many authors like to envision the finished work including the Exposition.
This gives the best impression of how the story will feel to the audience.
So the key is to first create your plot as it will appear in the finished
story. Once you have a handle on it, that is the time to put the plot in
Character Order to see if there are any missing pieces.
If there are, fill in the logical gaps, then "re-assemble" the plot
back into the order in which you wanted to unfold it for the audience, making
sure to add the new gap-filling plot pieces into your exposition as well.
Using this system, you will ensure that everything that happens in your story
is not only interestingly revealed, but also makes an unbroken chain of sense.
*Try either or both for 90 days. Not working for you?
Return for a full refund of your purchase price!
About Dramatica and
What They Do
Dramatica is a tool to help you
build a perfect story structure. StoryWeaver is a tool to help you build
your story's world.
Dramatica focuses on the underlying logic of your
story, making sure there are no holes or inconsistencies.
focuses on the creative process, boosting your inspiration and guiding it to add
depth, detail and passion to your story.
How They Do It
Dramatica has the world's only
patented interactive Story Engine™ which cross-references your answers to
questions about your dramatic intent, then finds any weaknesses in your
structure and even suggests the best ways to strengthen them.
StoryWeaver uses a revolutionary new
creative format as you follow more than 200 Story Cards™ step by step through
the story development process. You'll design the people who'll inhabit
your story's world, what happens to them, and what it all means.
How They Work Alone
By itself Dramatica appeals to
structural writers who like to work out all the details of their stories
logically before they write a word.
By itself, StoryWeaver appeals to
intuitive writers who like to follow their Muse and develop their stories as
How They Work
But, the finished work of a
structural writer can often lack passion, which is where StoryWeaver can help.
And the finished work of an intuitive writer can often lack direction, which is
where Dramatica can help.
So, while each kind of writer will
find one program or the other the most initially appealing, both kinds of
writers can benefit from both programs.
Try Either Program
We have a 90
Day Return Policy here at Storymind. Try either or both of these
products and if you aren't completely satisfied we'll cheerfully refund your