Plot Driven Story Telling

Recently I began working on a new screenplay project I pitched  to a management team. For almost a year now, I’ve known the concept of the story, but for my pitch, I needed to break down some specifics.

• Message/theme
• character sketches
• plot points

My focus for this project hinged on specific plot points, not only to set up my story but to develop my character and the conflict he will face; which would eventually lead to a satisfying conclusion that demonstrated my message.

Although my story focuses on one main character and his arc, the narrative is driven by a specific plot with unique twists. In a sense, this story is more focused on the plot and how it changes my character, his relationships, and his outlook on life. The plot points are critical to the telling of the story and that makes this project plot-driven.

Plot-Driven Storytelling

In the early days of filmmaking, the plot took center stage. Meaning, the plot gets more emphasis over character development; which allows plot twists, fantastic worlds, and breathtaking action to take center stage. Remember, the plot is simply a sequence of events that a character encounters as they progress from point A to point B in your story.

Laurie R. King noted, “In silent films, quite complex plots are built around action, setting, and the actors’ gestures and facial expressions, with  very few storyboards to nail down specific plot points.”

Plot-driven stories still have amazing characters for the audience to connect with; however, this approach shows more of what the characters do, rather than who they are and what they think.

This is why plot-driven storytelling works well for movies; it allows the audience to see the action and fantastic worlds the characters live in. It is especially helpful for fantasy and mystery narratives.

Examples of Plot-Driven Movies

1. Ready Player One
2. Jurassic Park
3. Dark Matter
4. Gone Girl
5. The Da Vinci Code
6. The Poppy War
7. The Tigers Wife
8. Robocop
9. How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days
10. Wedding Chasers

Keep in mind any of these films would still work with different characters going on the journey from point A to point B.  Plot-driven movies focus more on the action, plot points move the characters in the story forward more than the characters themselves.

“Mysteries and thrillers are not the same things, though they are literary siblings. Roughly put, I would say the distinction is that mysteries emphasize motive and psychology whereas thrillers rely more heavily on action and plot.”

Jon Meacham

It is the action of the plot that propels a narrative towards its conclusion.

Moving on

As the plot advances our narrative, ideally our character/characters will change in the process. Plot-driven stories often have more revelations or questions for the characters to deal with, driving the story further ahead.

“There’s almost always a point in a book where something happens that triggers the rest of the plot.”

Novelist Jonathan Carroll

Plot-driven stories are unique because they shape our character during the narrative, as opposed to the character shaping the plot.

Tips From masterclass.com on How to Write Plot-Driven Stories

• Focus on external conflict – If you are attempting to write a plot-driven story it’s important to focus on external conflict as opposed to inward conflict as the action that drives your story forward. Internal conflict often takes place within a character and serves character-driven narratives well. External conflict, on the other hand, requires multiple forces and helps to build a driving plot.
• Carefully outline plot points – Plot-driven stories require a tight and well develop story structure and a logical sequence. Plot is not something you find on the pages as you write. It requires a large amount of planning and foresight. You should have a detailed view of your major plot lines and arcs before you begin any plot-driven story.
• Develop high-concept plots -High-concept stories are widely accessible storylines with clear and communicable plots. These stories are often found in screenwriting and film. Screenwriters use a high-concept plot as the driving force in a thriller or other plot-driven film. These premises are a good place to start for a plot-driven story.
• Include plot twists – A good story should subvert audience expectations by including multiple subplots and unexpected storylines. Once you have a cohesive plot drawn out, think about ways you can surprise your reader and push back what they expect in a story by introducing a plot twist.

Ideally, these tips will change our character all the while advancing our plot towards a satisfying conclusion. Plot points change our character, reveal truth, and subplots in plot-driven storytelling!

Martin Johnson survived a severe car accident with a (T.B.I.) Traumatic brain injury which left him legally blind and partially paralyzed on the left side. He is an award-winning Christian screenwriter who has recently finished his first Christian nonfiction book. Martin has spent the last nine years volunteering as an ambassador and promoter for Promise Keepers ministries. While speaking to local men’s ministries he shares his testimony. He explains The Jesus Paradigm and how following Jesus changes what matters most in our lives. Martin lives in a Georgia and connects with readers at MartinThomasJonhson.com  and on Twitter at mtjohnson51.