Novel Kicks Writing Room: Analysis

Welcome back to the Novel Kicks Writing Room and the Plot Challenge.

Over the past few weeks, we’ve been focusing on plotting a piece of fiction, one task at a time.

These will potentially help you master plot structure by writing all major plot points, then analysing how each element builds toward a cohesive story.

Task 8: Analysis. 

Following on from last week where we put all the pieces together, we’re now going to be asking the following questions. Write about 500 words per questions if you can.

Plot Structure –

• Cause and Effect: Does each section logically lead to the next, or do things feel coincidental?
• Stakes: Do they rise progressively? Or do they spike, then drop?
• Character Motivation: Can you trace why your protagonist makes each decision?
• Turning Points: Can you identify exactly 3-5 moments where the story shifts direction?
• Subplots: Are there secondary conflicts that mirror or complicate the main plot.

Specific Plot Diagnoses:

For your Inciting Incident:

• Does it force your protagonist into the story, or do they choose it? (Both can work, but which did you do?)
• Is it big enough to sustain a story?

For your Rising Action:

• Does your protagonist make strategic errors, or do they just have bad luck?
• How many obstacles do you have? (Aim for 3-4, not 10.)

For your Midpoint:

• Is this the true turning point, or does the real shift happen elsewhere?
• If you moved this scene, would the story still make sense?

For your Climax:

• Is this where the protagonist actively solves the problem, or does someone/something save them?
• Does the climax directly address the inciting incident?

For your Resolution:

• How much time do you spend here? (1-2 scenes is usually enough.)
• What’s different about your protagonist now vs. at the start?

As with the other exercises, take your time with this. This task needs to take as long as it takes. Above all, have fun.

Click to view the story conception task from week 1. 

Click to view the inciting incident task from week 2. 

Click to view the rising action task from week 3.

Click to view the midpoint task from week 4. 

Click to view the climax task from week 5. 

Click to view the resolution task from week 6.

Click to view the assembly task from week 7.

by

Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.