Finding A Happy Ending

Working on plot points is a challenge. How do you find something fresh and new and exciting to write about when it seems like every subject has already been covered? To me, that's the sign of a good writer. Someone who can bring you a storyline that is familiar but bring their own energy and life to it. Drawing you in to read more.

I don't think you can start out with that expectation, though, because it's a lot of pressure. Forcing story ideas never works because the story has to have a natural flow. Many times, story plots or character traits come to me just by people watching. Just the other day I was in Barnes & Noble doing some research and I saw this woman on line at the cafe with a tall, white poodle. Not one of the little ones you can carry around in a bag but one that came up to her waist. I was shocked and intrigued. And I filed the info in my brain...maybe one of my stories will have a poodle walking lady. LOL

Creating climax points also is a challenge. I'm a drama girl and one who likes the craziness of soap operas (when they're not TOO over board) so I usually have ALOT going on. But, I've been told that's distracting and sometimes too much for the reader. So, now I'm trying to learn how to trim the ups and downs but still keep the element of surprise and suspense. What about you? If you're an author, share how you plot your stories and if you're a reader, share what you like to read.

Until later...