Writing a book – help me choose from 2 plots – 2 lines each only, easy to read?
Plot #1
A murder occurs in a sorority and two missing girls are suspected. One of these missing girls soon turns up with deranged memory and the other’s sister comes to try to solve the mystery.
Plot #2:
A parcel arrives at the doorstep of a museum curator, asking him to keep it safe but never to open it. But when curiosity prompts the curator to take a peek at the contents, his life is changed forever..
I think plot #2 is probably the better choice. There’s more scope to allow your imagination to spread, there’s an immediate sense of darkness, and you’re not likely to write yourself into a corner quite so easily.
Plot #1 may at first seem more appealing to young girls, but to be honest the plot isn’t very strong. Why the sudden deranged memory – how-come the sister is trying to solve the case – police don’t like interference from the public. The sister may find herself in trouble if she interferes.
I used a memory loss in my last novel, BUT consulted doctors for advice – I researched. Believe me, it’s not so easy to have a convincing reason for memory loss. It has to be something both traumatic, AND physically damaging to the brain.
Be aware that if you don’t want readers jumping down your throat you’ll need to research carefully. The real world isn’t full of oohs and aahs, about your writing. Readers want a story based on reality, it HAS to be convincing.
Hope this helps a little.
Anthony James Barnett – author
Writing a Musical- Part 1: “I’m Gonna Find You” demo