Time for reflection

I've missed a couple days from my blog and it's time to fill in the gaps! For the last couple of days since I made my story outline, I've taken the time to reflect on the story and do some research.

Even though I've chosen a path of events, there are still so many solutions swimming around in my head. I needed some time to let that commotion settle, so I can see my story clearly from this point on and feel confident about the direction I'm taking.

What is my main plot?
I've written my plot and story outline, but I wasn't really sure the "type" of plot I was going for. Was this a mystery, solving clues about the world? Or was this a "journey" plot, where characters needed to travel from point A to B?

So far, I've just looked at events and structure to determine what my plot I was. Recently I looked toward my characters instead - why are they in this story? What are their motivations? And what was the "theme" of the story I wanted to tell?

Doing some research, I came across this link: Discovery Plots
I found out that the main plot type I like the most is:

• "Discovery Plot:" It has a focus on characters and their quest to understand who they are. 

There are common questions like: who am I? Why am I here? What is the meaning to life? A discovery plot shows answers to these questions using characters and situations that seem real and concrete, instead of using philosophical abstractions.

When I read through that material, I realized that I was using mostly philosophical abstractions. I was preaching to my reader and providing answers without having the characters do anything but accept the facts. That will make the whole story seem flat.

Another point in the article stated:

• A hard struggle shouldn't result in a trivial change. Nor should a trivial struggle turn into a major change. The degree of upheaval mirrors the depth of the [character's] revelation. 

Looking back at my story, I think was guilty of using lots of trivial changes. The characters were mostly successful at everything they did and it didn't seem to change them for the better. Everyone and every thing was so...goody-two-shoes.

Where was the conflict?? 

Then there is the matter of using sub-plots. 

Aside from the main plot of discovery, other character's need to explore their feelings and dreams. They have things they want to accomplish. Each of them could have a subplot to add to the story. I recently watched Brandon Sanderson's lecture on his plotting method. 

His plot needs a constant sense of progression. If you need to move the story forward, but the next big plot event is still a ways off, weave in a sub-plot or character story to fill in the gaps. So I took a look at my story and have identified some subplots:

1. Jason's curiosity to find out what happened to the old civilization (the old world)
2. Jason's new relationship with another girl...
3. Shiri's desire to find her real family
4. Isaac's desire to win over Shiri's heart and perhaps learn more about his mother's disappearance
5. Introduction of a villian...

All of that being said...
So now I've had time to reflect on my story and it's current state. I am glad I took that time. Now I can see my outline as still too strict: it's a series of events instead of meaningful conflicts that allow the characters to participate in the story. I don't want my characters to just do what they're told. I want them to take over and make choices!

There will be some big changes coming to my manuscript. At this point, I don't think I can just leave the first half of my book the way it is and not fix it....now I see it being too messy. Seeing as how I haven't been able to writing productively in over four days, it's clear that I will just give in to my urge to rearrange what I have and set it in order. Sure that means editing a little. 
But I think I have to at this point. And it makes me excited to do it and get back on track with the remaining chapters!!