When you can answer the following questions about your story, you will have a strong plot.

1. Who is the main character?

2. What does the main character want or need? What is his or her problem, goal or difficult situation?

3. Why is it important for him or her to get what he or she needs?

4. Who are the other people in your story?

5. Who or what is preventing your main character from getting what he wants?

6. What does your main character do to solve her problem?

7. What are the results of this action? (The problem should get worse before it gets better.

8. What action does the main character take that will ultimately lead to either success or failure?

9. Does your main character accomplish his or her original goal, or does he or she abandon it in favor of something else?

10. What is the theme of your story? What basis truth have you illustrated through your main character’s actions and reactions?