Plots - How many are there, or doesn't it matter?

[UsuallyPresent]

there are tons of references out there that claim 3, 7, 23, or some other number of unique plots are the be-all and end-all that can possibly be told. The number and the chosen categories all differ, of course - else there'd only be The One Good Book - so it brings me to wondering.


Do you keep track of the plots you use? As distinct from characters, McGuffin plot devices, settings, etc

If you do, how many do you use & how would you categorize them?

If you do not, how do you generate the plots for your stories?

Either way, do you repeat plots with new stage dressings, or create from scratch, or something in between?

Does the idea of categorizing plots seem right? wrong? Misguided? Something else? Can you explain a little why it strikes you that way?

 

[HeyAll]

I try really hard to find new plots and new setups.

For incest, I do use a lot f plot devices (ie a drug that accidentally makes you aroused, trapped in a tight space, etc...)

Outside of incest, I always try to diversify. I look to movies for ideas, I use the news for inspiration a lot, sometimes erotic pitures.

The good thing is, the more plots you find, the more diverse your sex scenes are.

But at the same time, I dont mind taking the same plot and reworking it for another story, finding new angles and twists on a plot that people like.

 

[ElectricBlue]

Do you keep track of the plots you use? As distinct from characters, McGuffin plot devices, settings, etc

If you do, how many do you use & how would you categorize them?

If you do not, how do you generate the plots for your stories?

Either way, do you repeat plots with new stage dressings, or create from scratch, or something in between?

Does the idea of categorizing plots seem right? wrong? Misguided? Something else? Can you explain a little why it strikes you that way?

1. No. I don't see the point - writing creatively isn't the same as doing a creative writing course.

2. Someone else might categorise my writing into some theoretical appraisal environment, I don't bother with such categorisation. What does it show?

3. I don't. I start writing from some very simple idea, usually a short (real) scene, or an image, and let the words flow. My subconscious does all the work. Once a story gets underway and some plot-line or other appears, I might wonder where it might go. But I usually don't bother too much, as a character or plot shift can turn up in the very next sentence. My erotica is tapping my subconscious mind, and my best writing is pretty much stream-of-consciousness.

4. I have many common themes throughout my pieces, and the more I write, the more I see them. But at the same time I continue to be surprised by what emerges, particularly the characters that emerge.

5. Categorising plots for me is a completely pointless thing to do - I see no benefit or hindrance to my writing, it doesn't help me in any way at all, not even curiosity.

 

[Vix_Giovanni]

I try really hard to find new plots and new setups.

For incest, I do use a lot f plot devices (ie a drug that accidentally makes you aroused, trapped in a tight space, etc...)

Outside of incest, I always try to diversify. I look to movies for ideas, I use the news for inspiration a lot, sometimes erotic pitures.

The good thing is, the more plots you find, the more diverse your sex scenes are.

But at the same time, I dont mind taking the same plot and reworking it for another story, finding new angles and twists on a plot that people like.

HeyAll, you have an endless supply of plots yet somehow all of them are interesting and engaging *shakes head in amazement*

 

[TarnishedPenny]

1. No. I don't see the point - writing creatively isn't the same as doing a creative writing course.

2. Someone else might categorise my writing into some theoretical appraisal environment, I don't bother with such categorisation. What does it show?

3. I don't. I start writing from some very simple idea, usually a short (real) scene, or an image, and let the words flow. My subconscious does all the work. Once a story gets underway and some plot-line or other appears, I might wonder where it might go. But I usually don't bother too much, as a character or plot shift can turn up in the very next sentence. My erotica is tapping my subconscious mind, and my best writing is pretty much stream-of-consciousness.

4. I have many common themes throughout my pieces, and the more I write, the more I see them. But at the same time I continue to be surprised by what emerges, particularly the characters that emerge.

5. Categorizing plots for me is a completely pointless thing to do - I see no benefit or hindrance to my writing, it doesn't help me in any way at all, not even curiosity.

As almost always, electricblue66 has beat me to the punch. I agree completely with him.

 

[8letters]

Do you keep track of the plots you use?

No.

Does the idea of categorizing plots seem right? wrong? Misguided? Something else? Can you explain a little why it strikes you that way?

Misguided. I write incest stories and in ways, I use the same plot every time - something happens to isolate the two family members, and then they discover that they are attracted to each other.

 

[Carnevil9]

There is only one plot. Or five. Or ten. Or thousands. It all depends on how deep you want to go into the details.

To me, every plot needs to revolve around some sort of conflict, struggle, or problem to be solved. Something for the reader to care about, to want to see how it turns out. I like coming up with new conflicts (or new approaches to resolve an old conflict) in order to generate a new story.

 

[UsuallyPresent]

thanks for all your thoughts, folks - I'm a little surprised it was as completely one-sided as it was, but kinda figgered the bulk here would be towards writing, not theory.

 

[SynSlave]

Well, you did make me think about it deeper than I had intended. At first I was thinking along the same lines as all the other responses, and I still agree with them.

But when I step back I guess there really isn't that much diversity. Some posters have already given examples of plot devices, typical events, origins etc. Those are very diverse elements. But I suppose all general plots have to be relatable to a reader and there's only so many ways an author can connect in order to effectively translate.

A story about a talking cat that lives on mars that needs to save the dogs on earth before the singing space tuna gobbles up the earth is still an adventure story with whatever basic tropes you want to include.(Anthropomorphism, factions, personal journey, etc)

And if there are potential general plots that haven't been accepted into the mainstream yet then how do you make them relatable?

How do you get someone to read 80k words about a dust mite's life from beginning to end if it's presented literally?

Anyway, like others have said, I don't think about it when I'm writing. But it was a fun trip. Maybe it'll cross my.mind again one day.

 

[ElectricBlue]

As almost always, electricblue66 has beat me to the punch. I agree completely with him.

It's the time-zones TP, you are so yesterday .