Many modern-day plotlines involve a catalyst which triggers a complete 180 turn-around of the plot. For example, in Nicholas Sparks’ The Notebook Noah suddenly abandons all hope of reuniting with his love, Allie, after seeing her kissing her new fiancé. But Allie’s perfectly-planned wedding preparations take a turn when she sees a picture of Noah in the paper. These two external and seemingly random triggers return the characters to the same path again. Apply this technique to the trajectory of your character. Perhaps he or she sees a street advertisement that says “If you love someone, act on it” or “Take a risk” written in the fogged window of a passing bus. How can this unplanned detour change where your plotline leads?

Beata Rybka is an editorial assistant at Madavor Media. Her work has been published in a variety of national publications including Gluten-Free Living Magazine and Volleyball Magazine, as well as on the Web.

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