Two-Hour Plot Consultations
Plot consultations focus exclusively on the master plot which is made up of the action, character and thematic plot lines or, in other words, the form and structure of your work. Because of that, Martha does not need to see your writing itself. All you bring to the phone session is a list of scenes from your project and an idea of the message you are hoping your story will convey.
A few days before the phone consultation, you are given the link to a secret page on the website for all the details needed for a successful plot consultation.
During the phone session(s), you briefly describe each scene. As Martha take notes, she asks probing questions designed to assist you in digging deeper into the character, action and theme of your story. Since most writers are better developing one aspect of their story over another, her questions and probing are intended to lead you to a better understanding of what is missing in your project and how to go about deepening and expanding your writing. She does not give advice, but work as a guide to help you develop the plotlines of your story and achieve more depth and meaning in the scenes you have already created.
After our phone consultation, Martha sends her notes with tips and comments included to you via email, usually that same day.
Typically, the first session involves the scenes or chapters of the project focusing primarily on the Dramatic Action plot line. If there is time, you will have an opportunity to consider the Character Emotional Development plot line and touch on the Thematic Significance plot line. For more in-depth work, addition consultation time may be in order.
For an additional cost, writers may also receive a Plot Planner of their projects, highlighting the action, character and thematic plot, conflict, and cause and effect, and full of tips on how to deepen the story even further via regular mail delivery. With the use of this visual method, you will immediately see the elements of plot, your individual story plot, the cause and effect of each scene or lack thereof, which scenes work and which ones do not and why.
Following is a visual of the form Martha uses to create a Plot Planner, a plot diagram or a plot map for your project. During the phone session(s), as you tell her your story, she plots out each scene on banner paper (caution: for a big project, the banner can become quite long and to completely unfurl will require a large expanse). Using this structure, she inserts your scenes above and below the line depending on the conflict, tension and suspense or lack thereof, link scenes by cause and effect, give tips and direction.
Price for a TWO-HOUR PLOT CONSULTATION is $280. You will begin the Dramatic Action plot line of your project and, if time allows, consider the Character Emotional Development and Thematic Significance plotlines as well.
Once the action plotline is firmly in place, you can choose to continue by paying $140 per hour to work in one or more hour increments. This is the time we delve more deeply into the character emotional development and, as time allows, work in the thematic significance of your project.
For an addition $100.00, you also are able received a Plot Planner of your individual project.