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.

Maxims

Never have lunch with your boss. It can only mean trouble. Always lunch by yourself.

Location:Rydal Rd,London,United Kingdom

One Important Thing

Make sure you're not wearing your Star Wars Stormtrooper outfit while working at home....






...after all, you might have to attend a video conference with your boss at a moment's notice.

How to Make Amazing Cards

Why not make someone smile by creating a card like this one?





Just plonk a toy in someone's flowerpot, preferably one that has colourful flowers. Take a picture.

Save it either on your computer or your iPhone. Then send it to your friend.

Simple. A two-minute job, I assure you.

Location:Penrhyn Ave,,United Kingdom

Make Your Presence Felt

It's always important to create work that makes you react (in this instance, smile) so the onlooker can also experience the same thing you felt, without having to explain the message to them.





If you sent a loved one a picture such as this (to make her day), I am sure she will also smile and show this to her friends, who will also smile. This is the spark of realisation, the moment where everything comes together.

Show them the message, rather than tell it to them.

Amaze them. This is what creativity is about.

Take Charge of Your Life

It is very important that you take responsibility for yourself.






"If you don't design your own life plan, chances are you'll fall into someone else's plan. And guess what they have planned for you? Not much."
Jim Rohn

The Best Way To Begin a Story

The best way to begin a story is to...




...start in the middle of the action.

This is best because you don't need to do a 'build-up'--the story is simply THERE.

Action creates drama. Drama brings conflict. Without conflict we don't have a story.

In the photo above, we have the owner of a shiny new car. He is taking it for a spin for the first time when he is interrupted by some musicians crossing the road.

How does he react? Does he get angry? How does that anger manifest itself? Why is he in a hurry?

Is he late for work? Is he late for Stormtrooper duties? Maybe he is looking for two droids that are on the run. If he doesn't arrive to work on time, maybe he might not meet the other characters in the story, Obi Won and Luke in the hovercraft uttering the infamous words, "these are not the droids you are looking for."

More importantly, his boss might frown on his lateness.

But since when have bosses been sympathetic? Hehe.

To recap, you have a story in front of you: hunting two droids, as told from the Stormtrooper's point of view.

What do his mates think of his new car...? Etc etc...

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Location:Ramsden Rd,London,United Kingdom