What's the difference between plot and structure?
“Plot consists of a series of events, usually related through cause and effect, that holds the reader’s interest in some way of provokes a reaction (what happens). Structure is the organisation of the story to form a pleasing shape and one that does not seem random or arbitrary” - Jeff VanderMeer
Let's imagine that writing a novel is a bit like baking a cake. Yes, bear with me on this one. The plot is all the delicious ingredients you use, like your character flour, conflict sugar, and setting butter. The structure, on the other hand, is your recipe – the method that dictates when and how you should mix and bake these ingredients to ensure your cake rises and tastes scrumptious.
The icing on the cake – plot
Jeff VanderMeer, a renowned figure in the writing world, once said, "Plot consists of a series of events, usually related through cause and effect, that holds the reader's interest in some way or provokes a reaction (what happens)." In our cakey comparison, the plot can be seen as everything that happens in your story – the juicy morsels that make readers keep turning the page. This is your 'what happens' list, whether it be 'character A falls in love with character B', 'the world faces an alien invasion' or 'the detective solves the crime'.
Plot is crucial in any genre, from romances where the heartthrobs meet, have a misunderstanding, and finally reconcile, to thrillers where there's a murder, a web of clues, and finally a climactic reveal.
The recipe card – structure
If plot is the 'what happens', structure is the 'how it happens'. To quote VanderMeer again, "Structure is the organisation of the story to form a pleasing shape and one that does not seem random or arbitrary". It's the blueprint, the design, that dictates the flow and pacing of your story.
The structure orders your plot elements into a coherent and satisfying narrative. It's how you decide to reveal your character's dark past slowly throughout the narrative or to put the thrilling car chase right at the start to hook your readers. It determines whether you will follow linear storytelling or jump back and forth in time.
The perfect blend – content genre and structure genre
Let's consider Shawn Coyne's genre classifications to add another layer to our understanding. Coyne differentiates between 'content genre' and 'structure genre'. This is like deciding what kind of cake you're making (content genre) and what recipe you will use (structure genre).
The content genre often decides the obligatory scenes and plot devices. For example, a murder mystery (content genre) will inevitably involve a crime, a detective, and a resolution. These are the plot events that readers expect and look forward to.
On the other hand, the structure genre defines the overall shape of the story, the storytelling method. For instance, whether your murder mystery unfolds in a non-linear fashion with multiple points of view or strictly follows the detective's investigation process chronologically depends on your structure genre.
Putting it all together
So, there you have it. Plot and structure, two ingredients as vital to your story as flour and butter to your cake. Plot is the engine that drives your story forward, while the structure is the chassis that holds it all together. Both are indispensable, and striking the right balance between them is the key to crafting a story that readers won't be able to put down.
The proof is in the pudding!
Ultimately, writing is as much a craft as an art, and understanding these fundamentals can help you navigate your way to a satisfying, well-structured narrative. Like any skilled baker, knowing when to stick to the recipe and when to experiment is all part of the fun. Happy baking... I mean, writing!
—
References
- VanderMeer, Jeff. 2013. Wonderbook. New York, NY: Abrams.
- Coyne, Shawn. 2015. The Story Grid. New York, NY: Black Irish Entertainment.
