*Slams laptop shut til Monday… three weeks later*  

Writing out the plot (or summary or synopsis) of my book has been the most daunting task by far, but I can say with confidence that it is equally the most energizing task to have completed.

 
Here’s how I got through it:  

• The coursework provided prompts to hone in on the external and internal conflicts of my leading character, give them a riveting climax with believable risk involved, and land the plane of the story with an ending that feels like resolution but leaves room for curiosity instead painting a tidy, saccharine ending (my words, not theirs).  

• My instructor pointed me to a PFP (“Pointers for the Pros”) laying out how essential a synopsis is when pitching to an editor. The biggest contributor in my “putting off the plot” has been knowing that my story is likely to change as it takes shape. The PFP on Summary encourages that “the editor is interested in your plan, if it’s plausible, and can you make it work. Write what you think will happen. If the plan changes as you’re writing the story—and it probably will, so don’t panic—the editor won’t hold you to the synopsis or the summary so long as the finished story is believable, and your character’s actions make sense.” 

• For an extra boost (and because I often educate as a means to procrastinate), I also turned to The Complete Handbook of Novel Writing (included with the course) and read “Map Your Novel with a Reverse Outline” by N.M. Kelby. A friend of mine who’s also a writer had the same tip: start with the end.  

Once I drafted the ending of my book, I went back through the notes I’d made from the course manual prompts and scratched a loose outline. 

I referenced my initial story idea from Assignment 1 (a suggestion from my instructor) for a refresh on what I’d originally dreamed up for the plot.

And, taking the approach of writing a plausible plan subject-to-change, I started typing and didn’t stop until 2000 words filled the screen, the plot of my book laid out before me for the very first time.