Plot vs. Storyline

[Loring2]

Plot? Story Line?

Generally they're the same thing with plot being a very old word (circa 1250 AD) where as "story line" became a word somewhere in the 1945 to 1950 range. It's still shown as two words in most dictionaries, not as "storyline".This should tell you something

I happen to work for the producer of TV's "Criminal intent". Now this doesn't make me an expert on this but we use those terms on occasion although not often.

Here's sort of a working definition of the 2. The story line is:
1` A woman is found dead with her throat cut and the ME finds her left breast
removed and seman in her anus. Detective Goren and Eames set out to
find the killer.

2 G and E find several theoretical schemes (plots) which might explain what
might have happened and settle on one of them (always by Goren)
A. They find suspects, 3 to 5 in number usually
B. They eliminate suspects. These are sub plots.

3. G solves the case by proving either by intellect but more likely with another
scheme (plot) where in the suspect confesses when G's logic prevails.
Goren is a modernized Sherlock Holmes you see

For what it's worth I don't think that plot and story line are synonymous they are what I refer to as parallel words.

I hope that I've added some clarity or possibly an easier way to think about it

Joshua Loring

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

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[sr71plt]

I wrote two stories yesterday--total of over 8,000 word--guaranteed sells, as already placed in an anthology for publication. Didn't give two thoughts to what was plot and what was storyline or if there was a smidgen of agreed distance between them. Thems those who write and thems who pontificate on writing. Quite often not the same folks.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

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[sr71plt]

And some folks just gotta pretend to others they do it sos they can feel adequate.

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

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[sr71plt]

Jimmy, Jimmy, Jimmy, you just don't get it. I'm not pissed about whatever you said about plots. My point was that the difference between plot and storyline don't make a hill of beans. It's what folks talk about to avoid trying their hand at actual writing. I didn't even read what you wrote about plot. I was busy actually writing.

 

[Loring2]

JOSHUA

Youre free to think what you will, but plot cant be storyline becuz it addresses something very different from a sequence of events. Plot is concerned with what makes scenes and characters interesting and appealing and the characters are affected in significant ways.

If Janet Leigh finished her shower without Tony Perkins stabbing her, the scene woulda been storyline rather than a plot-point. But death is a point of no return and changed Janet's character significantly. Showers dont generally have that effect unless you drop the soap.

Maybe youre confused becuz tv tends to be entirely plot.

Oh JBJ,
I'm so glad that I'm free to think what I will but if you'll pardon my lack of perspicuity what the hell are you saying? From what I think you say I should probably say "YES" and continue my day but mysteries always attract me.
Awaiting your response. This could be fun.

Best regards,
Joshua Loring

 

[JAMESBJOHNSON]

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