Writing Tip: The One Page Novel Formula

Hey everyone! Here I am with another writing tip for all you lovely writers!

Now, anyone who knows me knows I’m not a plotter. I’m what they call a “pantser”, meaning I write predominantly without plotting before. However, there are times I have run into an issue with my story, and it requires I figure out more of the plot. Perhaps I have a beginning and an ending figured out, but I have no clue what I want to happen in the middle, and I really need to figure that out because I’m coming close to writing it. Or say I need an idea on the spur of the moment, and though I have a single “what if this happened” idea, it needs to be fleshed out quickly. That is where this One Page Novel Formula by Eva Deverell comes in handy! It’s helped me out in a TON of ways, so I would definitely encourage anyone who likes or needs to plot to check her out! She has some courses and other writing materials as well on her site, which are also very useful!

Her plotting formula is very clear and easy to follow, unlike some other plotting sites I’ve seen that are very in-depth and take forever to finish. It’s quick, simple, and I don’t feel as if I’ve wasted a ton of time plotting if I go and later change up the ideas.

Here is part of one of my very first plots I came up with using her formula.

Stasis: 

• Jackson is preparing to go to a new private school with rich children. He dreads it greatly, and already wishes it to be over with.
• Jackson arrives at the school, where he doesn’t like anyone. He sticks to himself most of the day, and let’s people know he doesn’t want to be there. 
• On the way home, Jackson sees strange things going on in an alleyway by his home. He passes them off as coincidence. 
• Jackson arrives home, tells about the day, and then he and his aunt and uncle get ready for dinner.

Trigger:

• A strange boy barges into the home as the group sits down for dinner. So much is going on, that the strange boy, who looks just like Jackson, manages to hide, and then Jackson is accidentally grabbed instead.
• Jackson figures out he is kidnapped by high up wanted criminals, and is given to a street gang until he is of age to receive his fortune. Jackson also finds out the whole thing was a setup; The Leary’s find Trud (the strange boy), and start looking for Jackson.
• Jackson is brought to a street gang. He meets Ripster, Doggone and Shooter there, and he starts learning their ways; The Learys have to give up their private search for Jackson and leave it to the government.

These are two of the several simple outlining steps in Eva’s formula. Before I used her formula, I had nothing but an idea about a stuck-up rich kid somehow being forced into the life of a street kid. When I found her formula and used it, within the hour, I had a fully fleshed out plot, a cast of characters, a theme and title.

Now I can’t say this will help everyone, but seeing as I’ve tried many things that haven’t helped me, and I’ve found that this has, I just wanted to share it with you all! I would highly recommend you visit Eva Deverell’s site here, and check out all her other wonderful content!

I hope you all have a wonderful week! God bless! ~ Kay Leigh