20 Master Plots

20 Master Plots
by Ronald B. Tobias
Writer's Digest Books, 2011
ISBN-13: 978-1-59963-537-8
ISBN-10: 1-59963-537-2
$16.99 paperback, 288 pages

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Find out more about how to make revenge the central part of your plot.

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Download a free PDF of the checklists for each of the 20 master plots.

About the Book
Give your story a solid foundation—a plot that engages readers from start to finish!The best stories linger in the hearts and minds of readers for decades. These tales gain their power through plots that connect with the audience on both an emotional and intellectual level.

Inside Ronald B. Tobias details these 20 time-tested plots. Each is discussed and analyzed, illustrating how a successful plot integrates all the elements of a story. Tobias then shows you how to use these plots effectively in your own work.Tobias then goes to the next level, showing you how to choose and develop plot in fiction. He shows you how to craft plot for any subject matter, so that you develop your work evenly and effectively. As a result, your fiction will be more cohesive and convincing, making your story unforgettable for readers everywhere.

“Plot isn’t an accessory that conveniently organizes your material according to some ritualistic magic. You don’t just plug in plot like a household appliance and expect it to do its job. Plot is organic. It takes hold of the writer and the work from the beginning.”

—Ronald Tobias

Table of Contents

CHAPTER 1
Invisible Fiction

CHAPTER 2
The Lowest Common Plot Denominators

CHAPTER 3
The Strong Force

CHAPTER 4
Deep Structure

CHAPTER 5
Triangles

CHAPTER 6
Twenty Master Plots: Prologue

CHAPTER 7
Master Plot 1: Quest

CHAPTER 8
Master Plot 2: Adventure

CHAPTER 9
Master Plot 3: Pursuit

CHAPTER 10
Master Plot 4: Rescue

CHAPTER 11
Master Plot 5: Escape

CHAPTER 12
Master Plot 6: Revenge

CHAPTER 13
Master Plot 7: The Riddle

CHAPTER 14
Master Plot 8: Rivalry

CHAPTER 15
Master Plot 9: Underdog

CHAPTER 16
Master Plot 10: Temptation

CHAPTER 17
Master Plot 11: Metamorphosis

CHAPTER 18
Master Plot 12: Transformation

CHAPTER 19
Master Plot 13: Maturation

CHAPTER 20
Master Plot 14: Love

CHAPTER 21
Master Plot 15: Forbidden Love

CHAPTER 22
Master Plot 16: Sacrifice

CHAPTER 23
Master Plot 17: Discovery

CHAPTER 24
Master Plot 18: Wretched Excess

CHAPTER 25
Master Plots 19 And 20: Ascension & Descension

CHAPTER 26
Parting Shots