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Idea derailment.

9 years ago

That's not a plot, it's a hook. We have no idea what the story is actually about from what he's said.

Idea derailment.

9 years ago

... Isn't that the point of these types of stories? Find out the actual story?

Like Jason Bourne!

Idea derailment.

9 years ago

Finding out the details of it, absolutely. Which is why the author is not giving us anything more than broad strokes, but it still explains enough that you get the concept of the story.

Idea derailment.

9 years ago

No... no, it's a plot. "Plot is a literary term used to describe the events that make up a story or the main part of a story."

The main part of the story is that you're chained up in a dark room asking questions of a dude. Just because it's a simple scenario doesn't mean it doesn't qualify. "Boy meets girl, boy falls in love with girl, boy loses girl" is perhaps the simplest description of a story I can think of and would work for a description of a couple of very popular stories on here, y'know.

Idea derailment.

9 years ago

I don't agree about this particular example, but I'm not really interested in getting into a semantic argument about the definition of a plot. My point was that we don't know anything besides the basic setup. And I mean, sure, that's the point in this kind of story, but I personally probably wouldn't be enticed into playing it on those grounds. Feel free to have a different opinion.

Idea derailment.

9 years ago

I wasn't arguing semantics. I was presenting the definition of the word and its application here, but sure, you don't feel it would interest you personally, I get that. Different strokes. ("Feel free to have a different opinion" ... Thanks? :P)

Idea derailment.

9 years ago

(I thought that it was a given. Very confused.)

Idea derailment.

9 years ago

I'd say the OP contained the premise of a story or the basic idea for starting one, or yes, a hook, but I agree with Axiom that it's not really a plot, if you're approaching 'plot' in a more specific literary sort of way. The blurb on a book jacket isn't a plot either, for that matter.

Since in this one it's promised that 'all will be explained in time' I do hope that means they've got one in mind, though.

It really is a semantics thing and so I don't see the point of it being brought up in a thread like this, but IIRC @Bucky had a nice simple explanation of the difference between plot and just the events of a story, seeing how the latter could be any kind of pointless or random shit. 'Plot' requires a certain amount of purpose and cohesion.  

Idea derailment.

9 years ago
I have been summoned.

Story - The chronological series of events.

Plot - The logical and meaningful order of events, resulting in an overarching concept.

What he's shown here sounds more like a premise to me, but he conducts himself in a manner that suggests that he has a proper plot established in his head or notes that he can't share for spoiler reasons.

But a plot requires structure and coherence.

You could write a story about seemingly irrelevant and random flashbacks while being chained to a wall in a basement and not really have that overarching connection. One memory about eating buttered toast. Another about masturbating to your sister. A third about an article you read on the nutritional value of figgy pudding...

Anyway, I can understand the ambiguity, since if the memories are CYOA based, it could lead to several different storylines about your life and how & why you were captured. In this case, the basement thing would be the premise/hook, and whatever happens throughout the meaningful events/memories would hold the actual plot.

Idea derailment.

9 years ago

Like I said, I was presenting the definition of the word according to the dictionary, and it does apply ... but ultimately, it seems pretty irrelevant to the thread in question and Axiom already expressed a desire to drop it anyway. :P

Idea derailment.

9 years ago

Couldn't this have been left in the writing workshop with a title like the Meaning of Plot, or IDK, anything that describes the topic?

It's about writing, so not the best fit here anyway.

And It's interesting and I'd hate for it to be buried in the Lounge.

Did a bit more reading and apparently it was Aristotle who defined what we consider plot today.