: Re: What new plots are available to writers? I read The Seven Basic Plots by Christopher Booker (yes, it was so heavy that I had to cut into two books just to be able to carry it around) and

@Angie602

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You've heard it said that there are only 7 basic types of plot. I say to you there are only 4 types of plots. I mean there are actually only 3 types of plots. I mean there are 9 because Booker missed 2. Did I say there was only 9? Wait, I want to go back to my first answer, there are 4 types, but with different names than in the first link.

As you can see, there are many people who have claimed to found the "x types of stories/plots". Instead of thinking of these as formulas that must be followed, take the advice of Mary Robinette Kowal. She implores us to think of all these different list types as diagnostic tools. If you're trying to be creative without being constricted, just write your story. Then, if you run into problems with keeping the reader engaged, grab one of these lists and try to map your story to one of the listed categories. See what you might be missing.

If you're trying to be truly new and creative, try to understand why the missing element is needed for your story. Then, once you know why that element is needed, try to substitute that element with something different.

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