Free Plotting Lessons Here from author Andy Zach

Wow! I just taught a ‘Developing Your Plot’ class at Books to Benefit and I had so much fun. Therefore, I’ll give YOU Free Plotting Lessons right now in this blog post, right from the class.

Free Plotting Lessons – Cast of Characters

First, there’s me, the teacher character,  Andy Zach. If you’re not familiar with my biography on this site, you can go to Amazon or to Goodreads and find out about me and my books.

• Zombie Turkeys
• My Undead Mother-in-law
• Paranormal Privateers

Then there’s you, one of many student characters. What have you written? Are you writing? What will you write? Please share you plot/novel/work ideas with me and the class by commenting below.

You MUST comment to participate in this class–or I’ll send the zombie turkeys after you!

That’s my big turkey stick. The carrot is, I will give a free ebook of Zombie Turkeys to one of the commenters!

Start commenting – NOW!

Free Plotting Lessons – Where Will You go with Your Idea?

You’ve got your great idea for your novel. What’s next? Authors fall into a spectrum of two approaches. First, there are plotters, who plan out the plot of their book and then write to that plan. Then there are ‘pantsers’, those who sit on their pants and type away until a book emerges–or not. Then there are endless variations between the two. I’m firmly in the first group. If you want to learn the pantser approach, find another author! I can’t even imagine how I’d write that way, and I’ve got a good imagination.

Let’s take my first novel, Zombie Turkeys. I created a chapter outline of the book on my first day of writing it during NaNoMo in November 2015.

Read my Zombie Turkeys chapter outline:

1.  Hook on the first page: Initial problem – zombie turkeys attack and kill turkey hunters

   

2. Zombie Turkey problem grows despite best efforts.
3. Zombie Turkey apocalypse grows worse in size and scope
4. Military defeated by zombie turkeys
5. Lull while more military force is gathered.
6. Biggest battle yet, unresolved conflict.
7. Zombies hiding – where are they?
8. More threats emerge, Thanksgiving approaches, big football game in Chicago
9. Total military mobilization as zombies attack Chicago, including President Obama
10. Battle continues on Navy Pier
11. Battle continues in Shedd Aquarium
12. Defeated in Chicago, zombie turkeys emerge across the country.
13. Zombie Turkeys seem to be stomped out across the country. Cause and cure of zombiism revealed.
14. Celebrations across the country at final victory over zombie turkeys
15. Epilogue – Surprise twist in the end

Now work on your plot outline. Please put them in the comments on this blog post or send them to me by email.

That’s all I have for today! Come back tomorrow for more!