We’re warming up for the webinar I’m running on how to plot your sitcom. That’s on Wednesday 24th April at 6pm UK Time.
If you’ve missed the last two posts, this isn’t going to make much sense, so have a look below for links to those.
So we’re amassing plots. My recommendation is that you don’t stop at 10 or 15. Get 50 or more. There are tips on Generating Story Ideas at the very bottom of this page.
Having a long list of plots means you’ve got a greater pool to choose from. Some will just stick out as being fresh and new. Others might feel perfect for a particular character. Still others might feel like it’s smack in the middle of your situation. Thinking of a pilot episode is hard: picking the best pilot episode from a list of fifty is easier.
What Next?
Next, take a few plots and make them longer. And think about how they might relate to your characters who are: Aaron (fastidious), Zena (peacemaker), Bibi (FOMO), Chas (Distrustful) and ‘Huggie’ Debbie.
Let’s take one from visiting the store:
People still pay by cash. Do some not want payments tracked. What happens when the credit card payment machine goes down?
Aaron would probably prefer all payments to be in cash, as it’s neater and easier to track. What’s his worst nightmare? Being hacked, losing the information and not being able to fill in the relevant forms. Does someone accidentally crash the system or allow in a virus?
Debbie is concerned about ‘the unbanked’ and those who can’t have bank accounts. They must not be excluded. Does she end up taking pity on someone by bartering. What happens when they want to pay for their bread flour with a song? Or a poem?
Chas would naturally be paranoid about digital information. Is he trying to champion cash payments? In fact, does he want his wages paid in cash, which is a problem for Aaron if they’re going cashless?
This is all good stuff for any kind of high street shop. It’s probably a subplot, rather than a main plot, as it’s not really about health food or the relationships. But let’s keep thinking.
Why not have a think about some plots and how they might give your characters something to do?
(Sidenote: I’m thinking that Zena isn’t giving us much here. She might need some more thought.)
Oh, and book in for the webinar. You’ll be sent an email address where you can send me your plot ideas so we can really roll up our sleeves at the webinar on Wednesday.
If you want to get up to speed, read this:
And then read this: