Christian Writing – Plots Made Simple, Part 1

Christian Writing – Plots Made Simple, Part 1  
       Not many basic plots exist. One writer has numbered them at thirty-six. Many variations, however, may be built upon the basic plots, and authors write about certain plots so often that editors have names for them.
       Consider the “biter bit” plot. In such a story a person sets out to lay a trap or snare for some other person, then gets caught in his own trap. He intends to “bite,” but gets “bitten” himself.
      This plot is attractive to many readers, and writers use it over and over again on every age level and in all manner of publications. This is the story of Haman and Mordecai. Haman built a gallows for Mordecai and was hanged on it himself.
      The story of Daniel in the lions’ den may be classifed as a “biter bit” story. The princes of Babylon persuaded King Darius to throw Daniel into the lions’ den and were, in the end, eaten by the same lions.
The "love transformation” plot is another favorite plot. Such a story shows how love enters a human heart and transforms it. Silas Marner by George Eliot is such a story. So is Johannah Spyri’s beloved children's classic, Heidi.
      Sometimes the "love transformation” plot tells a story of love for beauty, music, an animal, a flower. Whatever the love, it transforms the lover.
     A story is told of an old woman who lived in a dirty cottage in complete loneliness and discouragement. One day someone gave her a lily growing in a flowerpot. She admired the lily’s pure white beauty and began to tend and water it. 
     She washed the window so the plant could get more sunshine. She cleaned her house. Finally love for the lily transformed her life. This story uses the “love transformation" plot.

(Taken from my soon-to-be published book, Plot With Help From Mother Goose.)

Be blessed in The Name Above every name, Jesus! I know I am!
Linda Culbreth

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