Key Questions To Develop Your Novel’s Plot

November 20, 2024

Hey writers, do you love being super prepared for plotting? Here’s a handy list of prompts for your writer’s toolkit. Brainstorm and build a rock-solid plot!

1. Understanding the Core of Your Plot

What is the main conflict in your novel?
What are the stakes for the protagonist? What do they stand to lose or gain?
What is the inciting incident that sets the story in motion?
How does the setting influence the plot and character decisions?

2. Building Tension and Conflict

What obstacles does the protagonist face, both internal and external?
Are there any subplots that intersect with the main plot, and how do they impact it?
How does the antagonist challenge the protagonist? What are their motivations?
How does the protagonist change over the course of the story?

3. Structuring Your Plot

What is the climax of your story, and how does it resolve the main conflict?
Are there any twists or surprises that keep the reader engaged?
How does the resolution tie up the major plot threads and character arcs?
Does your story have a clear beginning, middle, and end?

4. Character-Driven Plot Development

What are the protagonist’s goals, and how do they change throughout the story?
How do the protagonist's relationships with other characters evolve?
What personal growth or transformation does the protagonist experience?
How do secondary characters support or hinder the protagonist’s journey?

5. Maintaining Pacing and Interest

How does each scene advance the plot or develop the characters?
Are there any scenes that could be combined or removed to improve pacing?
How do you balance action and reflection in the narrative?
How do you ensure the plot remains engaging and avoids predictable tropes?

6. Theme and Message

What themes are you exploring in your novel, and how do they connect to the plot?
How does the plot reflect the underlying themes and message you want to convey?
Are there any symbolic elements or motifs that enhance the thematic depth?

7. Emotional Impact and Resonance

What emotions do you want your readers to feel at different points in the story?
How do the character’s emotional journeys align with the plot's progression?
What moments in the plot are designed to create the strongest emotional impact?

8. Testing the Plot’s Cohesion and Logic

Are there any plot holes or inconsistencies that need to be addressed?
Do all the plot elements logically flow from one to the next?
How does the ending feel satisfying or open to interpretation, depending on your goal?

I have a personal favourite plotting question that I ask myself even throughout drafting and revision stages.

‘What is my novel’s central question? Does this Section/Chapter/Scene/Sentence align with it?’ (Okay that’s two questions but you get the idea.)