Friday Link: GMC

Of the feedback I have gotten from rejections, most of the problems seem to boil down to my plot. Good writing, good characters, good voice, etc… but something about the plot just doesn’t work.

So, I’ve been spending some time looking at how to improve my plot. Bottom line: blech. I just couldn’t get into worksheets or spreadsheets or this, that, and the other. I felt beaten down. I mean, obviously I need help, but the help out there just doesn’t work for me.

Then I started trying to simplify. Not just plotting, let’s focus on conflict. I’ve seen the term GMC bandied about a lot, so I googled it. I found this wonderful blog post on what it is and some great examples. I honestly don’t know if it’s going to help, but it gave me an aha moment. On what I need to do: focus on character goals and motivation and how to build conflict from those things both externally and internally.

If you’re wondering about GMC, this is a great post.