According to Frank O'Connor, a story requires three things.
The first is exposition--who the story is about. The second is development--the inciting incident and what's at stake. The third is drama--what the main character is working toward.
If any of these three key ideas can't be reduced to a single, clarifying sentence, then you may have a plotting problem.
If there is no clearly defined main character, then the exposition needs work. If there is no inciting incident or disruption of routine, then the development needs more attention. If the drama seems bland or vague, then there's an issue with conflict and motivation.
If you can summarize these three key ideas in a compelling way, then your story is, in fact, moving in the right direction.
An Example
Exposition: Trent is a troubled young man from a well-to-do family.
Development: He is forced into community service with a girl from the wrong side of the tracks who may have killed her best friend.
Drama: If he can find out the truth about what happened that night, he might be able to prove her innocent.
Plug in the details of your WIP to see if it passes Frank O'Connor's plot test.
And always: Be Brilliant!
~Katie~
