How to Craft a Great Story: Teach Yourself by Sykes Chris

Author:Sykes, Chris [Sykes, Chris]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Creating perfect plot and structure
Publisher: Hodder & Stoughton
Published: 2013-09-27T00:00:00+00:00

Key idea

All plots need someone or something to drive them. The ‘gold’ or ‘the MacGuffin’ the characters seek is the plot-driver; it drives the characters, it drives the story. Often what it is matters less than what it does.

Try it now

Think how you could use the MacGuffin in a story you are writing or wish to write. Make your MacGuffin a real object or person that two characters want and which sets them in opposition to each other. Write three scenes in which both start out wanting the MacGuffin badly but by the end of the third scene they realize its unimportance and that their friendship or their love is what really matters instead.

For example, a character wants a physical and tangible object, such as a club badge for winning the club tennis tournament. But, what he really wants is the respect of his peers and what he needs is self-respect. Whatever device you use, make it simple. Sketch out your idea in 600 words:

✽ Scene one: identify their desire for the MacGuffin.

✽ Scene two: they obtain it.

✽ Scene three: they realize what they really want and dispose of the MacGuffin.

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