Wednesday 29 August 2012

How to tell a story using five plot points

I have always said, start a story in the middle of the action. So, to continue the story of the killer dolphin, I am writing the sequel to the first one by introducing a new police chief, Chief Whitevader.

Plot Point One: Chief Whitevader is driving his car, until he is stopped by a group of party-goers playing their instruments to celebrate the 4th of July.



"Hoi, you kids...get out of the way...."

Plot Point Two: Chief Whitevader learns it is carnival day at his island; and that there has been another dolphin attack on an unsuspecting member of the public. He decides he has to do something about it.

But his actions are thwarted by the Lord Mayor.


"Listen here, Chief Whitevader. I am the Mayor of this little island. If the public wants a carnival, then they will have a carnival. Don't go giving them scare stories about drunken dolphins roaming the streets attacking people..."

"We got a drunken dolphin problem. What was it the politicians said? Yeah, that's right...casinos and bars are not addictive. I am telling you, they couldn't be more wrong."

"Think of the economy. Think of me with my drum. I got an ulcer. Listen, Chief Whitevader...don't make me tell you again or I'll take away your badge...."

Plot Point Three: This is where business gets sticky: Chief Whitevader decides to sweep the issue under the carpet until he stumbles across CCTV evidence of a member of the public disappearing and mauled by the drunken dolphin. He has a problem: he can't ignore it. 



Plot Point Four: The story gets nastier: Chief Whitevader is confronted by a member of the public. She slaps his face. "How could you do this?" she says. "This dolphin ate my husband like a shish kebab. Now I'm all alone."


The Lord Mayor looks on. 

"Bet that slap hurt like something special, hey Chief Whitevader? You okay?"

"Well, I'm wearing a helmet, so I guess I'm okay. Poor woman, though."

Plot Point Five: The Conclusion. This is where the character (Chief Whitevader) has to take action to wind up the story.

Chief Whitevader finds the Dolphin in the casino flirting with a stripper. But the Dolphin, in a drunken rage, turns on Chief Whitevader; and in his defence, finds and crams a fire extinguisher in the Dolphin's mouth, which causes an explosion in the stripper's changing room.



She screams: but as the Dolphin blows, the problem is solved....and Chief Whitevader can go and enjoy the carnival.

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