O is for Organizing and P is for Plot and Publishing- The Next Letter in Our A to Z Challenge

O is for organizing your story. You can do that with a time line, an outline, or by taking notes. Whatever way you choose to organize your thoughts will help you in the end with plotting.


Plot is a key element in the story. Writers new and seasoned may have trouble with the plot of a piece of their writing. I would venture to say that plotting may be the main area where writer's block occurs. The author simply writes till there is no tomorrow and then comes up against a brick wall with the plot. It suddenly is going nowhere fast.

The plot of the story can make or break it when it comes to finding a publisher. A manuscript that is ready and polished will have a solid plot, one that has a hook at the beginning that makes the editor want to keep reading. Followed by the hook will come several conflicts that move the middle of the story  to a page turning  climatic scene. The ending must satisfy the reader and bring the conflicts to a reasonable and believable close.

Lesson here: A well woven plot will make your chances of being published more realistic. It behoves the author to study plot formation and to hone those skills. Seek books, resources, and mentors that can help you to learn the craft of plotting. You will see a difference in your stories and your characters as you learn this skill.