Basic Plot Criteria

Not all ideas deserve a novel. Some want a short story others can only work in a poem. So how do you know if your story is worth the novel that you want out of it or if it can even survive the grueling process of writing? Is your idea novel worthy.

For one your idea must meet the basic criteria for plot consistent ideas. The criterion is called LOCK (Lead Objective Conflict and Knockout). It must have a strong lead who is sympathetic to the reader. You don’t want to make someone so perfect all the reader wants to do is see them fail so that they can prove they’re human. The main character in your story must have one active and compelling objective – find out who killed his mother, conquer the Persians, take over the family business, save her brother. This goal must be so powerful it is the lead’s highest priority.

Give your main character a conflict. What’s going to stop him from reaching his goal? Turn his/her world topsy-turvy then let them figure out how to get themselves out of the mess. And Finally your beloved character must face the conflict you’ve created ‘man a mano’ and hand it a knockout punch. There shall be no anonymous tips to the police, dying off book, going bonkers or answering machines, man and enemy must meet for the big reveal.

It’s all good to write about your neighborhood Gandhi setting out to starve himself and his conflict is the baskets of food the fair maiden keep dropping on his doorstep. But who really wants to read about him? Your idea must be fascinating for both you and the potential reader. It must be something new enough to peak someone else’s interest.

The best ‘idea-awesomeness test’ is to invite someone over for dinner (or is it coffee?). During dinner start to tell the story then about halfway through excuse yourself to go to the bathroom (or to go check on desert – something). When you come back, start talking about a completely unrelated topic. If your specimen guest reminds you that you were telling a story, you’ve got a winner. If not – toss that one out or renovate it.