Plotting Tools

Snippets from Million Dollar Outlines:

• Timebomb: a time limit that seems realistic, puts extreme stress on the character, and has devastating consequences for failure.
• Dilemma: the character must choose between two (or more) unpleasant options, and deal with the consequences of his choice.  The choice usually happens early in the story to allow time for the consequences. 
• Crucible: a setting, condition, or relationship which forces characters to stay together despite rising tension between them. The setting might be that they're snowbound in a wilderness cabin, or on a small vessel between ports; a relationship might be with family members, co-religionists, or fellow soldiers; a condition might be that they both have the same disease, or are being hunted by the same mafia or detective. It may not be impossible to leave, but the cost will be high.
• Reversal: one character is winning, when suddenly his opponent snatches victory from defeat. Early in the story, a reversal usually goes against the protagonist, making it harder for him to win next time.  However, it could go against the villain, who had the hero on the ropes, only to be thwarted by a lucky shot; he withdraws, vowing to come back and crush the hero next time. At the end of the story, the hero often accomplishes a reversal to finally overthrow the bad guy.
• Revelations: an explanation for why a character feels and behaves the way he does.. The character may make the explanation himself, or another character may tell it, or it may be something deduced.