HOW TO OUTLINE AN ADDICTIVE MIDDLE ACT
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 29 июл 2024
- HAPPY 👏 WRITERSLIFE 👏 WEDNESDAY 👏 This video is the second part of my outlining-a-novel series: HOW TO OUTLINE AN ADDICTIVE MIDDLE ACT 😍 aka: how to keep readers ADDICTED to your story (like don’t-you-dare-interrupt-me-or-I’ll-throw-the-book-at-your-head addicted.) A lot of writers struggle with the middle act of their story because it’s a little tricky to keep the momentum going when you have all this “middle ground” to cover. But don’t worry -- that’s why today’s video is all about ACT 2. (Also I talk about how to craft the perfect PLOT TWIST -- even if you have nothing “plot-twisty” going on in your story.)
SMASH THAT LIKE BUTTON and subscribe for weekly episodes of #WritersLifeWednesday!
______________________________
IF YOU DIDN'T SEE THE INTRODUCTION VIDEO, WATCH THAT HERE: • HOW TO OUTLINE A RIVET...
HOW TO OUTLINE A STRONG OPENING ACT: • HOW TO OUTLINE A STRON...
HOW TO OUTLINE AN ADDICTIVE MIDDLE ACT: • HOW TO OUTLINE AN ADDI...
HOW TO OUTLINE A GRIPPING CLIMAX: • HOW TO OUTLINE A GRIPP...
____________________________________
TEMPLATE + QUESTIONS FOR ACT 2:
PRE-MIDPOINT REACTIONARY HERO
How is my protagonist going to execute her plan (achieve goal, avoid pain)? What is her step-by-step plan for making this happen?
GAME-CHANGING MIDPOINT
What unexpected thing is going to happen to upend my protagonist's plan? Why does it matter to my protagonist, given her desire and fear? How is it going to change the game for my protagonist?
POST-MIDPOINT ACTION HERO
What is my protagonist's new plan going to be, based on the game-changing midpoint (and what it means to them)? How does my protagonist think their new goal is going to bring them to where they want to be (while still avoiding their fear?)
2ND PINCH POINT
How can I show the opposition/antagonistic force getting closer to disrupting the protagonist's life?
_________________________________
GET NEW VIDEOS, ARTICLES, AND OTHER GOODNESS STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX: eepurl.com/bNxH9j
WANT MORE INSPIRATION? FOLLOW ME HERE:
blog: bit.ly/2Kl21m8
music: bit.ly/2IjPDq1
facebook: bit.ly/2FS2Ikh
instagram: bit.ly/2rrgLb4
WHERE I GET MY MUSIC: epidemicsound.com/
"Because we all want readers to lose sleep over our book" XDXD I found that so funny for some reason!
I laughed, too. :) This is how i judge how good a book actually is. lol! If i can't wait to get into my car and listen to it on Audible, or can't put a book down until sun-up, it's a keeper!
yeah thats how i was with Winter by marrisa meyer that mightve beem because id been waiting for it for weeks tho lol
I'M OUTLINING A BOOK INSTEAD OF WRITING LIKE IDK WHAT IM DOING AND OHMIGOD ITS ACTUALLY COMING TOGETHER HOLY CRAP WHY HAVE I NOT DONE THIS BEFORE!?!?!?!??! XD
Thank you so much, Abbie! I've been struggling to find a story structure to help me and this has done it xD
I'm the same, I'll get it in the end I'm sure!
Without a doubt, Abbie is by far the best instructor and educator for story structure that I found on RUclips. Thank you Abbie. You helped me through it.
Yes she's a great help
You know, Abbie, I'm so intrigued and inspired by your outlining method and depth of emotion you put into your videos, that I am eager to pick up a book written by you to see it in action. One of my favorite parts of this video is when you mention being as excited as an author to write as the readers are to read, especially that middle part. That's probably a really good barometer that you have a story worth telling, when you can't wait to write that middle part. While in the middle of my own outlining process, I am excited to watch this entire series again while taking copious notes. You pose so many questions that will add depth and meaning to my protagonist's story along with the love story that parallels it. I can't wait to watch the final video and use this brilliant wisdom to make my story the best it can be. You totally rock!
This comment totally brightened my day!! Thank you so much! 😊 I'm so happy you are enjoying the series and that it's helped you/inspired you to write. So glad you're getting so much out of this + taking notes!! YOU ROCK. 🤘
@@AbbieEmmons I have to agree with him, your story has made me want to write and craft a story worth telling and so.ething that will echo in people's hearts forever. Even though its fantasy I want them to have the echo of my theme shining on them all the time, it feels like I was at the murky depth of the ocean and you pulled me to the top where it shines bright enough for me to swim in the right direction. The direction that will take me to an island filled with the wisdom of your words! I am only 13 and have learned so much more from you then I could have ever imagined! You inspired me to start my own channel and to showcase my love for writing! To want to write and be proud that I am a writer. All thanks to the one and only Abbie. You are an amazingly influential women ❤
Your gifts and amazing insights continue to be used by writers of all stages in their craft. You unselfishly help others move forward with their own talents and inspirations to be shared exponentially in the world. You are a wonderful teacher. Thank you, Abbie! 🙏
The “why does it matter?” note alone is super helpful. It’s something good to asks yourself periodically while plotting.
YOU are so amazing! With this series I’m falling back in love with my book idea! I had really given up but now I’m crazy excited! Thank you thank you thank you! Act two outline done onto to video three for Act 3!
THIS COMMENT BRIGHTENED MY DAY. I'm so glad this series is helping you and getting you excited about your book!! *high fives * ROCK ON.
For whatever reason, Abbie talking about how the plot twist can just be the two characters realizing they're in love with each other reminds me of that scene in Clueless where Cher just wanders around, until she realizes she was in love with Josh all along and the fountains just... go off behind her 😂
The way you worded that: "o my gosh a gotta write all this filler during act 2" really hit me! That's exactly how I went into writing act two before I realized THIS is where the growing takes place, THIS is where the most interesting conflict and challenges arise and most importantly where characters bond with each other (if applicable). I have a whole new perspective about act 2, making it a lot less daunting to tackle this giant part in the story. Thank you for your helpful advice!
This writing process has helped me so much! Literally, I used to write books with absolutely no idea where I was going. Inner conflict? What the bloody hell was that. Plot twists, pinch points, foreshadowing? I'd never bothered before. Seriously I'd write down my characters and what they looked like and their super cool scars and relationships, but I guess the thought of my characters actually having something wrong with them was foreign to me. So seriously Abbie this has helped me so much and now I have a feeling I won't stop at the second act anymore and give up. EVERYBODY NEEDS AN ABBIE IN THEIR LIFE, or just on their computer screen :)
“So even if you’re writing some epic fantasy story where your plot twist is that, like, the whole world explodes or something, I don’t know...” xD this was so funny to me. You know you’re a die-hard contemporary writer when. Lol love it
I’m really loving this series! Do you think you could make a video on tips to help figure out a plot for a story because that is what I most struggle with?
YES that's a great suggestion, Vivanna!! Thank you 💛
That would be awesome. This outline method is good but I have trouble coming up with how to fill the frame with an interesting story.
I love how your books are color coded :)
Bit late to the game, but I am loving these videos. I am a creative writing PhD student writing a novel and this is helping so much. Thank you. xx
You are a hidden gem of authortube. I don't know why other authors haven't mentioned you or why you don't have more subscribers. Your videos are so helpful!
I feel like this sort of videos absolutely need examples, because for a lot of people this is too abstract (including myself). It did help me flesh out my plot, nevertheless, so I'm sharing some of my own decisions as an example if anyone needs it. My character's plan of leaving the place where she is thrust into, is using her own power after she gives herself enough time to recover from the trauma. The plot twist is that the place literally sucks out her power, and she not only can't recover her powers but gets physically weaker so that she is forced to rely on others. This is significant to her because she is very self-reliant and has been betrayed by her loved ones before so she is very reluctant about it and feels the memories of her former weakness creep up on her. The second twist is when she realizes the people she chose to ally with actually do not have the means to bring her home as she had thought. That is significant because it finally forces her to realize she is stuck in a place that is opposed to everything she has believed in up to that point. It forces her to adapt in ways that threaten to destroy her whole personality. The pinch point is when a curse/suppressed memory from her past rears its head and engulfs her in paranoia. This is significant for her because she feels she can not only not escape physically but she is also trapped in her own illusion of worthlessness. A second pinch point is probably going to be a physical/real antagonist who in some way undermines her strength even more, but I'm not that far yet.
Thank you so much for this!
I’ve binge watched your videos over the last few weeks. I cannot Thankyou enough for this free information! I was stressing because I could not afford a course but really needed help with my novel! I didn’t think I could do it without guidance. You are truly a blessing . I have a hind full of notes now! From words not to use, to outlining, to main character details and pacing . A million times THANKYOU ❤
How is it possible that I just discovered this channel?! Game changing! Life changing! Thank you !!
You are a better teacher than most of my university professors! 😭
This is officially the most helpful RUclips video I have ever watched. Thank you so, so much!
Ok, this video really got me pumped! I am drafting right now, and this made me see so many areas I can beef up and YES.
WOOOHOO! I'm so glad this video helped you! 💛
Everything you've said qbout the 2nd Act rings 100% true for my book. Sage advice confirmed. Bless you!
This is the most helpful series I’ve found on RUclips. I love the way you break everything down and have passion behind it! It’s so exciting! I wish you could be my professor or boss or mentor or something hahaha
loving this series, feeling motivated to get to the middle now!
THAT IS AWESOME. *high fives *
Words cannot say how grateful I am that I found you! I was kind of stuck & seeing that my story kinda “fits” into this structure has given me the momentum I need. Your advice is really helping me to see where my story is lacking.
Thank you Ms. Abbie Emmons, using your guide i have already outline my act one successfully. Now i feel i'm ready to finally start writing my novel the next days, God willing 🙏
I am literally watching every single one of your videos and adding stuff about my story as I watch....this is turning my idea into an actual story !!!
I don't think I've ever posted a comment on RUclips but I just wanna let you know how absolutely amazing you and your videos have been for me and my writing! This series has been crazy helpful. I've never actually followed through with my novel ideas because I tend to over complicate them as they brew in my head, but this makes me really excited to write my books! You really make the process so much simpler than my brain thinks it is. Thanks for putting out so much good content!
Jotted down the outline of Act 1 & 2 on paper. Now going to transfer these steps onto the Plotgrid app where I'm writing and piecing my story together into a novel.
You're the best! If anyone asks me how to get good at writing I'm going to tell them all they need is to watch your videos! Because you're videos have changed my writing and my life!
Abbie, this one got me to subscribe to every single video you make! Its the new Year of 2023, I am 25, and maybe it's some kind of midpoint plot twist for my own life, but I've recently hit 55k words on my novel, and your videos had been a priceless and wonderful guide in that process. I first wrote my story in third-person omniscient and have been working on it for many years. Then recently, I rewrote all of it in third-person limited perspective to give it a more personal feel, and it absolutely blew up in my hands. I have over 3-4 books planned, and the undertaking is enormous but beautiful. I've tried to write many times before and built my storytelling skills in many ways to get here. I've moved around every 2-3 years since I was around 10 years old, and have had diverse experiences. In many ways reinventing myself and my perception of the world. I've played the dungeons and dragons tabletop game for many years, taken theater classes, and done various performance arts. Shakespeare once said, "All the world’s a stage." I've even had personal struggles with drug addiction, and other struggles are even deeper than that. Even beyond writing, I am a 2d-3d digital artist with a bachelor's in video game 3d-art from full sail university, and I am developing my own video game. My book is to help build the world my video game is set in and is meant for each to feed into the other.
I could go on, but I have just one request for you if you read this, and I hope other youtube writer creators that might draw inspiration from this as well, but what drives your storytelling? What experiences do you want to share? I wanted to write even as a little kid, but as I grew older, I knew I would have to learn more and figure things out to be able to have an honest writing style. Do you feel the same way?
You have a precious gift of storytelling, teaching, and inspiring others to do the same. I am so grateful to have found your channel!
Thank you, Abbie. I really appreciate your descriptions of the acts thus far. I feel like the all the pieces of my “puzzle” can now be rearranged to make a fuller, more satisfying, story. I found you because I needed to reboot my Scrivener after a computer issue and now I feel fortunate to hear your writing tips too. (I signed up for your Scrivener class today too.) All my best wishes to you. 🌸🍃
I am so thankful for these videos not only are they instructional they also help with inspiration as well. I have serious writer's block coming up with ideas. This is my first book and I don't want to try and just start writing without a plan but with this method I notice that the writer's block comes before you even start writing.
I'm so thankful that i found this video. i'm being able to write my ouline by following step by step watching and typing at the same time, and it it just costing me days, that could've been weeks...
your explanation is really clear, and even though i'm not an english speaker, I can work with this so easily
The middle has always been my most difficult challenge! But after watching this video, I feel like I have a good handle on how to keep it moving, how to keep the conflicts interesting, and how to propel my characters into the exciting finale. Thank you!
Me repeatedly pausing the video and working on my outline along with it. Seriously this has been a LIFESAVER for my little baby novel 💛💛💛 I’m pumped! Thanks so much Abbie!
I was literally thinking about my character realizing he has a crush on his friend as the midpoint change and I felt so smart haha
Your simplification of Reaction-Plot Twist-Action does actually make the middle so much less frightening. I have been repeating this as I write. So, I don't want to be one of those people who comments on someone's looks, because it always feels like it disregards or belittles the information a RUclipsr gives, and hopefully it doesn't come across that way, but your eyes are SO very hypnotic.
I have started watching your videos in hopes of becoming a more organized writer. I do believe it is working. I have fallen in love with your channel and with your content and am so happy to finally be properly pursuing my writing dreams. Thank you Abbie!
You just helped me a ton.. I was struggling in the project screen play I'm writing. My main character needed something.. Got it now.. Thanks..
Thanks, Abbie, I love this series and I am taking notes and printing the PDF file. It helps so much. I can see where I need to improve my final draft.
Hi Abbie! I'm new to your youtube channel...followed one of your Nano2019 posts here. I am now binge-watching EVERYTHING as I finally get around to prepping for this year's Nano (my 7th!!). Your videos are SO helpful. I've been upping my plotting game each year I do Nano and this is a big help and I continue to learn. To say thank you for all that you're content is doing to help me right now, I joined your Patreon. But I LOVE that you offer all of this for free on RUclips! Seriously, I can't wait to keep watching and scribbling notes like a madwoman. Thanks so much!!
This video series is pure gold! Thank you so much for this great information - it's really playing a big role in helping me to write my comics!
This is golden! Amazing advice!
This is brilliant. No muddy middles!
Great energy, thanks... and for being such a clear teacher. Thanks for putting so much effort into editing and preparing these videos... so appreciated.
Finding I'm more of a pantser, but this outlining as you show, is an easy way to create the scaffold to build from! Thanks Abbie.
So far series has shown me how a lot of my ideas are not good BOOK ideas. There's not enough conflict. But now my mind is spinning with cool ideas that I can take through this outline. I'm so excited!
I absolutely love these videos so much.
Thank you very much! Now I got enough advice to make my first story less boring.
Could the game changing midpoint be a memory? Like a big reveal from her past?
Oh yes!! I actually love that idea 😍
Just one thing: why didn't she remember it before?
The Lion King uses a recovered memory to get from the 3/4 Low Point to the Climax
That's exactly what it is for me. Not something they forgot but rather chose to suppress and ignore because it's so painful. Except at some point the unconscious trauma of it rears its head.
@@rodschmidt8952 madeleines. Something triggered it, a taste, an echo.
Eeeeeppp!!! Love this video and can't wait for the next one!!
Thank you so much!! 💛✨
Great video, some top hints and ways to go with a story. Great stuff.
Holy Crap! What a FIND! I was in bed late last night watching old 60's music videos (Dusty Springfield, 5th Dimension, Smith, etc.), trying to get sleepy and THIS gem popped up in my feed! Well, actually it was The Science of a Story (is that what it's called..?), featuring Pride and Prejudice. I had recently watched Jane Eyre here on RUclips, so maybe that's how it happened. However the stars aligned or the moon shifted to bring this brilliant channel to my home-page - i repeat; WHAT A FIND!! I have been struggling through the middle-section (aka; second act) of a story I've been working on for a while now, finding myself editing past pages instead of writing new ones. Doh! Astonishingly, my First Act (i think?) follows the principles laid out by Abbie. Whew! I'll be checking to make sure. i will need to spend several hours (days?) plucking out 'weak words'. Like Abbie, "just" is a favorite i had already been actively trying to outlaw in my mind when writing. I fall into the 'just' trap too easily. Anyway - i have binge watched many of Abbie's videos by now (less than 12 hours later), and will likely grab me a membership. I've already learned enough to RE-inspire my writer's brain. I have a bigger project that i LOVED writing, something i had started many years ago, that I'd set aside because i became overwhelmed with threading it all together; that second-act was wearing me out. My faves tend toward dark, supernatural stories - so that's what i write. Sometimes i plug in too many tension-filled sections and can't find my way back to a place for the reader to take a breath. But, I've got my notebook out now, am taking notes, and re-watching videos from last night. I'm actually EXCITED about where my second-act will now go! Just wanted to send out a big fat THANK YOU to Abbie for posting these helpful, insightful, and amazing videos! I think i might actually be able to clean up my murky middle - that had even ME, the writer, a little bored - and make my way to my climactic ending! ROCK ON!
This advice is an amazing revelation! Thank you so much.
I bought and read your book(all in the same day), 100 Days of Sunlight and I absolutely loved it!
Ty once again! See you in the third part
This is GOLDEN advice, and this story I'm working on has an underlying SECOND plot twist to it that doesn't make sense until the end of Act 3.....like a betrayal
I love love love one hundred days of sunlight!
You just changed the way I see my story, thank you❤
i love this series! i learn so much with this videos,thanks again Abbie!
This video series is helping me with my outline for my debut novel. Thanks for the road map Abbie!
Holy heck you're amazing! Your videos are so engaging and I am HOOKED! (hahah pun perhaps intended)
WOW THANK YOU!! 💛✨ this comment brightened my day!
Thank you for this amazing series! I've watched so many videos on this topic and yours are most helpful 10/10 😘, new subbie!
Thank you so much, Shanna!! I'm so glad this series has helped + inspired you!! 💛💛💛
Been way too eager for these videos. Keep up the amazing work!
Yay!! Thank you so much!
love the middle act
Abbie, you are a rockstar!! I look forward to your videos every week. 💪🏻🤓
Oh my gosh, thank you!! 😊💛
Great, Abbie!!!⚘
Dude, I LOVE this series!!! I got so excited when I saw you'd uploaded! I used to dread writing the middles of books, but these videos have given me all kinds of ideas, and they're just sooo good and helpful and well edited, as always! I'm so hyped to write now :D
OH MY GOSH that means so much to me wow 💛✨ so glad this series has been helpful to you!! *high fives * YOU ROCK.
@@AbbieEmmons Thank youuuu! :D
Loose sleep over our book haha that one is the best line I've ever heard to do with writing or rather the most explanatory
Such a fantastic video. I have been trying to write a story for so long, and your video series has given me the structure I need to make this happen. Thank you. New subscriber.
I am so PUMPED for this series! I'm loving the detail and the questions you pose. Those are so helpful! I'm also loving your positive energy because I feel so motivated for my new project right now! :) One question, though: Can there be two antagonists, one external, one internal?
If you mean what I think you do, I'm actually having a similar problem. I want to make my antagonist internal. Maybe my character's worst enemy is himself, but I've thought very much about that. Two antagonists could work, but I guess there always has to be a primary one. It depends on the story.
Often the outer struggle is a mirror of the inner struggle. The best stories have your "two antagonists"
@@saraoln The character's Flaw is the internal antagonist
@@rodschmidt8952 Thank you, actually. I just had some insight. Thank you so much.
loving this series! finding these videos so helpful! got some notes which will definitely help me figure more out for the middle plot so thank you!
I'm so glad you're loving this series!! 💛👏 thank you so much for watching!
Loved this!!! Can’t wait for next week!
Thank you so much, Kenzie!! 💛
Thank you abbie!! You are so quirky and helpful!!!
Thank you!! 😊
I love you so so so much Abbie😭
I tend to read for the characters but I tend to write for the events, I am going to work on that
These videos are so great 🌸
Abbie this channel is amazing. Really a godsend.
I love how you have a link to this video in the description of the video.
Lol I just downloaded master class, but Abbie has helped me way more than any of them
How is my protagonist going to execute her plan?(achieve goal.avoid pain)
What is her step-by-step plan for making this happen?
What unexpected thing is going to upend my protagonist's plan?
Why does is matter to my protagonist given their desire + fear?
How is it going to change the game for my protagonist?
What is my protagonist new plan on the midpoint?
How does my protagonist think their new goal is going to be success?
How can I show the force coming
closer?
I had an idea with this video! Thank YOU, Abbie! I Loved!
WOOHOO! Thank you so much, Ester!! 💛✨
LOVE THIS!
Thank you so much!!!
I'm watching this kind of late, but it was really useful and well explained! Thank you so much!!!
100th like!! You are so helpful, thank you again my favorite writing channel!!!
YOU'RE AWESOME *high fives * thank you so much, Angela! 💛✨
Loving this series so much. I can't wait to use this system with my writing!
I'm so glad; thank you!!
im not sure if this was made for people who want to make a wattpad fanfic about their favourite ship but hey its getting me inspired😳😳😳
Thank you Abbie, great content for the uneducated (ME)
Thanks Abbie, found this really helpful! Could you maybe do a Q&A? Love your videos 😄
NICE ONE!!
This is amazing
This series is super informative.
Thanks❤ for the video
Thank u so much for this❤️
Again again and again...Thanks sobmuch Abbie😁
Thank YOU! 💛
Thanks so much Abbie!! I'm lovin this series!! I'm super pumped for my middle now. XD Quick question: If you were to write a trilogy, would each book in the trilogy basically be each act? Or would it be more complicated than that?
This Helps! Thank You.
It would be awesome to list all of the books in your shelf like their sooooo aesthetic!!!