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Friday, April 13, 2012

A to Z Challenge: L is for L.O.C.K.




Welcome to Day 12 of the A to Z Challenge

Many bloggers have chosen a theme for the A to Z.  My pledge since becoming a blogger is to post about writing, so for this event, I will being posting about what I've learned about writing a novel.

________

L is for LOCK:  to join or unite firmly by interlinking or intertwining. (Dictionary.com)

Today, I’m using an acronym that spells out the word LOCK.  This is a device established by James Scott Bell in his book on craft, Plot & Structure, a must read for all fiction writers.  I will paraphrase his well-developed L.O.C.K. theory:

L is for Lead:  If you go back to my April 9th post on heroes, you’ll see a complete list of what makes a good lead.  As the author, it is your job to make him interesting, to dig deep inside his head and make him compelling.  No story is good or complete without a single lead.

O is for Objective:  Likewise, if you go back to my April 7th post on goal, you’ll see that an objective is the driving force that generates forward momentum.  It could be that the protagonist wants to get something or to get away from something.  Whatever it is, according to Bell, it should be one dominant objective and should be essential to his well-being.

C is for Confrontation:  This is the oppositional forces at work from other characters and outside organizations.  It is an element that is used throughout the story, but most especially at the climax.

K is for Knockout:  The knockout is the big climax, the highest point of drama at the very end.  It’s the final clash where it appears the opposition might actually win.  It should have the greatest amount of tension, stakes, and conflict, and display how the protagonist has changed, both within his inner and his outer conflicts in order to most satisfy the reader.  It should be unpredictable and last minute, meaning it should be organized so all the plot points peak in a single moment.  Lastly, it gives resolution, ties up loose ends, and gives the reader a feeling of resonance.                    

Do you have a recipe for a successfully plotted story?  
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24 comments:

  1. LynnApril 13, 2012 at 3:12 AM

    Hi Nancy - thanks for coming by my blog.

    I don't really write for publication (except for my wee blog), but I find the process fascinating. Thanks for this peek into what makes it happen!

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  2. Donna K. WeaverApril 13, 2012 at 4:48 AM

    I've got this book! I so need to go back and read it again. =D

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  3. Alex J. CavanaughApril 13, 2012 at 4:50 AM

    Cool, I've actually been doing it right!

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  4. jabblogApril 13, 2012 at 5:12 AM

    Which came first, the plot or the character? My stories evolve - that's to say, I have little or no idea what's going to happen until I start writing and then usually the characters take over;-)

    (Visiting from A-Z blogging challenge)

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  5. StinaApril 13, 2012 at 5:16 AM

    I love this book. LOCK is a brilliant concept. I made sure I had mine figured out before starting my edits. It helped a lot with getting my character right.

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  6. Heather M. GardnerApril 13, 2012 at 6:38 AM

    You make it all sound so easy! This is a great way to remember our job!
    Heather

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  7. Luanne G. SmithApril 13, 2012 at 7:02 AM

    I have yet to read any of James Scott Bell's books on writing. I really must.

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  8. AnonymousApril 13, 2012 at 7:33 AM

    Thanks for this! This is a wonderful acronym I will not soon forget!

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  9. UnknownApril 13, 2012 at 7:59 AM

    You continue to be informative!

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  10. Gossip_GrlApril 13, 2012 at 8:24 AM

    Thanks for sharing these writing tips.

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  11. cleemckenzieApril 13, 2012 at 8:30 AM

    Great acronym! Easy to remember and right on in the advice category.

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  12. UnknownApril 13, 2012 at 8:58 AM

    I haven't read that book...my education isn't complete, so I'd better put that right. Imaginative way of getting L out, useful too - it's made me think.

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  13. StratPlayerCJFApril 13, 2012 at 10:52 AM

    Nancy, your blog is a L.O.C.K!

    "Literate, Outstanding, Creative, and Kick-Ass!"

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  14. Gina GaoApril 13, 2012 at 11:35 AM

    I haven't read the book yet, but I really hope I do soon. Thanks for sharing.

    www.modernworld4.blogspot.com

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  15. Joylene Nowell ButlerApril 13, 2012 at 12:34 PM

    Nancy, you've done a terrific job of listing what makes a good book. Can't do better than that. I agree with the others, you rock!

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  16. Al PenwasserApril 13, 2012 at 1:10 PM

    Once again, I learn at the feet of the master.
    Trust me, I'm sitting on the floor. The repo men came and took all the chairs away.

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  17. M PaxApril 13, 2012 at 2:58 PM

    I don't always define it that way, and I rarely plan the climax ahead of time. But I know how it's supposed to end before I start. That's a great way to boil it down.

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  18. Katie O'SullivanApril 13, 2012 at 3:49 PM

    Putting this book on my TBR list right now. Thanks for this post!

    Great to meet you thru AtoZ!

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  19. Arlee BirdApril 13, 2012 at 4:00 PM

    Good theme for the Challenge. I think the recipe that you've put forth here is one that works well.

    Now following your blog.



    Lee
    A Few Words
    An A to Z Co-host blog

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  20. klahanieApril 13, 2012 at 4:26 PM

    Hi Nancy,
    And what the "L" is going on...Sorry, just me being silly :)
    A very clever acronym. And with 'Keenness, Editing and Yes!' or the acronym that is the 'KEY' to your success :)
    Hey, I tried :) A plotted story? Me? Heck, I do nonsensical, random, disjointed musings.
    Take care and have fun with this challenge that brings further awareness of the alphabet.
    Your starstruck fan, Gary :)

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  21. Mark KoopmansApril 13, 2012 at 5:57 PM

    This is a LOCK to get my best post of the day award :)

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  22. Empty Nest InsiderApril 13, 2012 at 9:07 PM

    The "LOCK " device is a great writing strategy! It really steers the reader and keeps them interested. Julie

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  23. blissflower1969April 13, 2012 at 10:07 PM

    I like the acronym. Good things to keep in mind while writing.

    Swinging through from the A to Z page. Good luck on the rest of the challenge!

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  24. StephscoApril 17, 2012 at 8:25 AM

    Plotting and conflict is what I need to work on. I have a tendency to want things to work out for my characters, but that makes for a dull story. I've heard of this method, I'm taking notes!

    I've read Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maass which has similarly helpful structure about plot.

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