Simplifying Plot Complications

Typically, when I read writing craft books on creating or fine-tuning the rising action of a plot, I read phrases like "raise the stakes," "now make it harder," "now turn the screws even more," "now create an even bigger challenge."  And I think, I know it has to get worse!  But how?  Telling me to go even further in a direction that I don't even have in the first place isn't helpful.

Some people have a knack for engaging, escalating plots.  What I love about writing is character development.  I love the psychology of my characters, the development of their relationships.  I love experiencing their world.  In fact, I don't need anything to happen in the story to keep me interested in writing it.  And frankly, I love my characters and don't want anything bad to happen to them!  But, I'll be the first to admit that you actually learn a lot more about a person by how s/he responds under pressure as my friend, Will, discussed in his previous post,"Characterization vs. Character".  

So, content or not, my plot has to actually progress toward a climax.  

We've all seen the traditional plot chart in English class.  It's typically a smooth upside-down check mark like this:

The dots along the spine indicate new complications in the story.  As a reader, this is fine.  My problem as a writer is that I just don't see the point of the various dots along the rising action line.  As I said, I'm fine just hanging out with my characters.  But children's author, Eileen Ross, created a breakthrough for me by suggesting that I think of plot complications as mini-plots in and of themselves.  Ahhhhh!  Now, that I can do!

So now, my plot chart looks more like the jagged back of a dinosaur, and my character organically gets to tougher and tougher challenges for character arc and overall plot development.  Notice how those dots that used to rest on the spine are now lifted up as the climaxes for each mini-plot:

If you feel like a driving plotline isn't your strong suit, I'd encourage you to try this:

1.  Get the Big Picture.  

Think of the beginning and the end of your story (if you have them).  Where does your character begin and end up?  This can be emotionally, physically, socially, anything.

2.  Dissect the Big Picture.  

What has to happen internally and externally to get your character where s/he needs to be?   What's on your character's "to-do" list to accomplish that final chapter?
For example:  Does she need to learn to make friends?  Does he need to learn to recognize his strengths?  Does she need to respect others?  Does he need to lose all his money?  You're creating a to-do list for your character to get where they need to be.

3.  Write the Small Stories.  

Now, structure your mini-plots.  Whether it's emotional, physical, social, or anything else, you can structure your complications so that they follow the same structure of a traditional plot diagram, but over the span of a scene, a chapter or a few chapters.  

1. Start with where they are (this will obviously change as you get deeper into your plot/character's experience).  
2. Write down where they need to be by the end of the mini-plot.  
3. Write down what the BIG (climax) moment (whether it is a success or failure) of the cycle is.  
4. Next, determine the little "to-dos" that must happen to achieve that big moment from where the character started in the mini-cycle - those are the mini-complications in the mini rising action of your mini plot.

This exercise has dramatically helped the development of my rising action and enrichment of my character.  If you're looking for more depth and authenticity in your complications, give this a try!