Connie Flynn introduced her topic, PLOT - What Characters Do and Why, with study guides which were well thought out and gave guidance to the very beginning Plotter.

Your book (or short story) can begin with character development first (as in most Harlequins and books of that ilk) or with the plot. The story problem or the personality and character of the main protaganists must catch the attention of the reader immediately. ***Character should become known by something other than an involved 'history' of the problem or plot. That should be disclosed in the plot itself.*** Whether the reader feels empathy (wanting the hero[ine] to win out) or great dislike (wanting the villain to be disposed of), there has to be a connection by the readers to the characters, and a plot that will engage their interest.

Connie said the Inciting Incident (the heroine's problem) sets the tone for the book. This is followed by things getting a lot worse (Escalation) with one to three solutions which might solve the problem, but don't. A Resting Point follows, during which things look like smooth sailing. But alas, there must now be a Major Crisis, usually caused by heretofore unknown information coming to light. Chief protagonist despairs! In the Black Moment, all hope is lost. The reader begins to doubt things are going to turn out all right. THEN! There is a Turnaround, caused by some real event—not just optimistic thinking. In the Climax, the character acts on the decision, followed by success or failure, and then we have the Denouement. The character either triumphs or is punished!

In all cases, scenes which graphically illustrate someone's anger, affection, etc. are called 'plot points' and move the plot and the characters along. In other words, merely saying someone is angry or wants to get revenge, etc., is not enough. Real actions make your book live. Mental gymnastics are insufficient.

Connie provided a worksheet for the plot 'steps' as shown above.

Another worksheet was provided, Defining the Plot Question, which should be very helpful to beginning novelists. This included deciding whose story you're writing and then how to define (1) their character, (2) their opposition, (3) the conflict (obstacles), and (4) consequence of failure., both external and emotional.

I think the forms would make good fodder for our group meetings, perhaps as a writer's exercise.