Plot

Do you remember those plot diagrams your English teacher would give you when you were writing a narrative for their class? These plot diagrams include an exposition, rising action, climax falling action, and resolution. Those are extremely helpful for writing books with a purpose.

However, writing is also fluid, so there is no right or wrong way to write your book!

1. Exposition

The exposition is basically the background information of your story. It introduces the setting (time and place), main characters, and the main conflict the main character is suffering through (it could be internal or external). The exposition mainly takes place in the first chapter to help the readers get a feel for what’s happening. Who the main character is, what they are reaching for, and what is getting in their way.

2. Rising Action(s)

A rising action is the build-up towards the climactic moment. During this phase, the main character undergoes multiple other little challenges, plot twists, and mental breakdowns that keep them from their goal. But, the rising action moments also introduce more people and tension points that allow the reader to bond and get sucked into the story just as the climax is going to happen.

3. Climax

The climax is the main plot turn of the story. The climax usually answers the main conflict from the beginning of the book. The climax could be a plot twist, a major battle, or even a decision that could change the trajectory of the entire book.

4. Falling Action(s)

This is when things start to wind down. These are the events where the consequences of the climax show, which could show on how the climax took a toll on the characters or even a certain place. For example, the climax could have been a major fight between the hero and the big-time villain. Let’s say the hero kills the villain in the climax. The falling actions could be that the building crumbles and stops being used.

However, the falling action could start a new problem or conflict. Like, the hero could start going crazy after killing the villain. The plot never has to be exactly like the resolution, rising action climax and so on. Like my English teacher used to say. Writing is fluid and there is no right or wrong way to write a book.

5. Resolution

Finally, the resolution is the conclusion, whether it's good or bad. It shows where all the characters are in the end. Are some people dead? Mentally ill? Physically wounded?

There is also the choice of leaving your book on a cliffhanger. Your call.