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Writing a Plot for a Complex and Twisting Action & Adventure Story
One of the best things about action adventure is how intricate some of these story’s plots are. They include large casts of unforgettable characters, surprising events, twisting subplots, with everything coming to an exciting and epic conclusion.
If you're an aspiring writer writing a plot for an action and adventure story that keeps readers on the edge of their seats, then you need to know how to develop a complex and twisting storyline.
A well-crafted plot can make all the difference in keeping readers engaged and invested in the story from beginning to end.
As you develop your plot, keep in mind that complexity doesn't necessarily mean confusion. And unfortunately, this is what writers can easily end up creating instead—a hodgepodge of plot holes and unfinished character arcs that never seem to fit together quite right.
While you want to keep readers guessing, you also want to make sure that your plot is clear and easy to follow. This means avoiding convoluted subplots and unnecessary twists that can distract from the main story.
By striking the right balance between complexity and clarity, you can create an action and adventure plot that readers will love.
So in this post, we are going to focus on effective plotting techniques to keep the readers on the edge of their seats. I'll show you how to establish the central conflict, map out key plot points strategically, develop purposeful subplots, craft surpising plot twists, handle pacing and tension, multiple perspectives, and more.
Through this guide, we will delve into the intricacies of plotting to masterfully weave together a captivating and twisting action & adventure plot that will leave readers eagerly turning pages until the very end.
Contents:
Establishing the Central Conflict
To create a complex and twisting action and adventure plot, the first step is to establish a central conflict. This conflict should be the driving force behind the story and provide a clear goal for the protagonist to work towards.
The central conflict can take many forms, but it should be something that is important to the protagonist and has high stakes. It could be a personal conflict, such as a character struggling with their own identity or past mistakes. Alternatively, it could be an external conflict, such as a battle against a powerful enemy or a race against time to prevent a disaster.
Once you have established the central conflict, you should consider how it will be resolved.
The resolution should be satisfying and provide a sense of closure for the reader. It is important to avoid resolving the conflict too easily or in a way that feels contrived.
To ensure that the central conflict is engaging and compelling, it is important to consider how it will affect the protagonist and other characters. The conflict should challenge the protagonist in meaningful ways and force them to confront their weaknesses and flaws.
On top of (or maybe beneath) the central conflict, you will establish subplots that add depth and complexity to the story. These subplots should be related to the central conflict in some way and provide additional challenges for the protagonist to overcome.
By establishing a strong central conflict and related subplots, you can create a complex and twisting action and adventure plot that will keep readers engaged from beginning to end.
Here is a list of tips to aid you in devising your central conflict:
Define the core conflict that drives the action and adventure
Make the conflict compelling and relevant to the characters' goals
Ensure the conflict evolves throughout the plot to maintain reader interest
Identify the opposing forces or entities involved in the conflict
Highlight the stakes and consequences of the conflict for the characters and the world they inhabit
Introduce internal conflicts within characters to add depth and complexity
Craft a clear and concise conflict statement to guide the plot development
Ensure the conflict is unique and stands out in the action-adventure genre
Consider how the central conflict relates to any subplots introduced in the story
Use the central conflict as the foundation for building tension and suspense throughout the narrative.
Mapping Plot Points
When plotting a complex and twisting action and adventure plot, it can be helpful to map out the plot points to keep track of the story's progression.
Mapping plot points involves breaking down the plot into its major events and noting the key details of each event. This process can help you ensure that your plot is coherent and that the story's twists and turns make sense.
To begin mapping plot points, start by identifying the major events in your story. These events should be the important turning points in the plot, such as the inciting incident, the midpoint, and the climax.
Once you have identified these events, break them down into smaller scenes or beats.
For each scene or beat, note the key details that will move the story forward. These details should include the actions of the characters, any dialogue, and any important plot points that are introduced.
You can use a table or bullet points to organize this information and make it easier to reference later.
As you map out your plot points, pay attention to the pacing of the story. Make sure that the events are evenly spaced and that the story is building towards the climax. You can use bold text or other formatting to highlight the most important plot points and ensure that they stand out.
Remember, mapping plot points is just one tool that you can use when plotting a complex and twisting action and adventure plot.
It can be helpful to combine this technique with other plotting methods, such as creating character arcs or using a beat sheet, or my own method of outlining that I go over in the post of handling a large cast of complex characters in your action adventure. You can head over there to find out what that entails.
With a solid understanding of your story's plot, you can create a thrilling and satisfying action and adventure story.
Here is a list of tips for helping you effectively map out your complex story’s plot points:
Outline the key plot points in advance to create a roadmap for the story
Strategically place twists, turns, and major events for maximum impact
Ensure each plot point serves a purpose in advancing the central conflict or character arcs
Consider the pacing and balance of plot points to maintain reader engagement
Introduce surprises and unexpected developments to keep the narrative fresh
Foreshadow important plot twists without giving away the surprises
Connect subplots with the main plot points to create a cohesive storyline
Use plot points to escalate the tension and propel the story forward
Evaluate the timing of each plot point to maintain a steady flow of action and suspense
Allow room for flexibility and adaptation as the story evolves during the writing process.
Building Subplots with Purpose
Subplots can be an incredibly effective tool for making your plot more intricate and impactful. These secondary storylines can add depth and complexity to your main plot, as well as provide opportunities for character development and world-building.
However, subplots can also easily become distractions or feel disconnected from the main story if not executed properly. That's why it's essential to build subplots with purpose.
To begin building subplots with purpose, you must first identify the primary themes and conflicts of your main plot. Then, consider how you can use subplots to further explore and enhance these themes and conflicts.
For example, if your main plot revolves around a hero's journey to defeat a villain and save the world, you might include a subplot that explores the hero's relationship with a mentor figure or a romantic interest.
This subplot could provide insight into the hero's motivations and inner conflicts, as well as create opportunities for emotional stakes and plot twists.
Another key element of building subplots with purpose is making sure they are connected to the main plot in meaningful ways. This could mean introducing characters or events in the subplot that have a direct impact on the main plot (even if that is not impact is not revealed until the final moment), or using the subplot to foreshadow or parallel events in the main plot.
By creating these connections, you can make sure that your subplots feel integrated and necessary to the overall story, rather than extraneous or distracting.
It's important that your subplots have their own clear arcs and resolutions.
While subplots should serve to enhance the main plot, they should also be satisfying and complete stories in their own right.
This means giving your subplot characters their own goals, obstacles, and growth, and resolving their storylines in a way that feels satisfying, like everything has been tied up and the readers aren’t left hanging.
By building subplots with purpose, you can add richness and depth to your action and adventure plot, while also creating opportunities for character development, emotional stakes, and plot twists. Just remember to connect your subplots to the main plot in meaningful ways and ensure that they have their own clear arcs and resolutions.
Here is a list of tips to assist you when developing your subplots:
Introduce subplots that enrich the main storyline and complement the central conflict
Ensure each subplot serves a specific purpose in character development, world-building, or thematic exploration
Create subplots that add depth and complexity to the overall narrative without overwhelming the main plot
Explore subplots that intersect and interact with the main plot to create a multi-layered story
Develop subplots with their own rising action, climax, and resolution to keep readers engaged
Use subplots to reveal different facets of the characters and their motivations
Connect subplots to the central conflict to reinforce its significance and impact
Avoid introducing subplots that distract from the main storyline or feel disconnected
Weave subplots into the narrative seamlessly, providing smooth transitions between main plot and subplots
Evaluate the pacing and balance of subplots so that they enhance rather than hinder the overall plot.
Crafting Surprising Plot Twists
One of the most important aspects of a complex and twisting action & adventure plot is the element of surprise. Crafting a surprising plot twist can keep your readers on the edge of their seats and make your story unforgettable.
Here are some techniques for crafting surprising plot twists:
Foreshadowing: Foreshadowing is a literary technique that hints at what's to come in the story. Use foreshadowing to hint at the plot twist without giving it away completely. This can create a sense of anticipation and make the twist even more surprising when it's revealed.
Misdirection: Misdirection is another technique that can be used to create a surprising plot twist. You can use misdirection to lead your readers down one path, only to reveal that the actual twist is something completely different. This can be done through subtle clues or even red herrings.
Character Development: Developing your characters can also help you craft a surprising plot twist. By giving your characters depth and complexity, you can create a sense of unpredictability in their actions and decisions. This can make the plot twist feel more organic and less forced.
Subverting Expectations: Subverting expectations is another way to craft a surprising plot twist by taking a common trope or cliché and turning it on its head. Doing this, you can create a sense of freshness and originality in your story.
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Remember, a surprising plot twist should feel earned and not forced. Don't sacrifice the integrity of your story for the sake of a twist. By using these techniques, you can create a plot twist that is both surprising and satisfying.
Here is an additional list of tips for creating twists and turns in your action adventure story:
Strategically plan and execute plot twists to catch readers off guard
Introduce unexpected and surprising developments to keep the story unpredictable
Ensure that plot twists are plausible and fit organically within the narrative
Align plot twists with character arcs and the central conflict for coherence
Avoid relying solely on shock value; make sure plot twists serve a purpose in the story
Consider how plot twists affect the reader's emotional journey and engagement
Test plot twists with beta readers to gauge their effectiveness and clarity
Aim for a balance between satisfying payoff and leaving room for further twists or revelations.
Handling Pacing and Tension
When it comes to plotting a complex and twisting action & adventure plot, pacing and tension are two crucial elements that you must master. Pacing is the speed at which your story unfolds, while tension is the feeling of uncertainty and anticipation that keeps your reader engaged.
To handle pacing, you need to know when to speed up and when to slow down.
If your story is moving too slowly, your readers may lose interest. On the other hand, if your story is moving too quickly, your readers may feel overwhelmed and confused.
One way you're always told to control pacing is to use shorter or longer sentences and paragraphs. Shorter sentences and paragraphs can create a sense of urgency and move the story along quickly. Longer sentences and paragraphs can slow down the pace and give readers time to absorb the details.
But that really is on just a basic level and there are moments when the opposite can be true.
Like the examples from Joe Abercrombie’s novel The Heroes that I talk about in this article on Pacing, Rhythm, and Narrative Flow. Read that one if you want a better understanding of this. It’s about writing fantasy, but the advice stays the same regardless of the genre.
One of the best ways to change the pacing of the story is to develop a rhythm and to speed it up, and also to use more emotionally evocative language in the faster paced scenes than in the slower paced scenes. Words that create bolder images and have heightened states of emotion connected to them.
Tension is created by introducing conflict and obstacles that your characters must overcome. As the tension builds, your readers become more invested in the outcome of the story.
To create tension, you can use a variety of techniques, such as cliffhangers, foreshadowing, and unexpected plot twists. It's essential to balance tension with moments of relief to prevent your readers from becoming overwhelmed.
The best way by a long shot for creating tension is to add a crucible into your story. The writing technique of a crucible involves subjecting characters to intense and challenging situations they cannot escape that test their beliefs, values, and resilience, ultimately leading to significant personal growth or transformation.
Another way to handle pacing and tension is to use a story structure that alternates between action and reflection. Action scenes create excitement and tension, while reflection scenes provide a break and allow characters to process what has happened.
This structure can help control pacing and keep readers engaged throughout the story.
Here is a list of tips for pacing your action adventure and adding tension:
Maintain a balanced pace throughout
Utilize slower moments for character development and world-building
Incorporate faster-paced action sequences to heighten tension and excitement
Avoid prolonged periods of inaction or excessive exposition that may slow down the plot
Use pacing as a tool to control the reader's emotional journey and engagement
Ramp up tension during pivotal plot points and critical decision-making moments
Create a sense of urgency during high-stakes scenes to keep readers invested
Provide moments of respite to allow readers to process information and emotions
Ensure that tension builds steadily toward the climax for a satisfying payoff
Managing Multiple Perspectives
I’m going to assume that you have multiple perspectives in your story, because chances are if you're writing a complex action adventure you will tell it from more than one POV. However that doesn't mean you have to have them in order to make a good intricate plot. So this section is for those who do have them.
By presenting different viewpoints, you can add depth to your characters and create a more immersive experience for your readers.
One effective way to manage multiple perspectives is to use a third-person omniscient narrator. This allows you to switch between different characters' perspectives and show the reader what is happening from multiple angles.
However, there are a few things you will want to understand about this approach. I’m not describing head hopping, which is really jumping in and out of different characters from a third person limited POV.
But rather you are a single voice, telling a certain side of the story at one time and switching to tell another side of the story at another time.
If you would like to learn about creating a unified voice in your writing, no matter the perspective you choose, go to my post, 3 Ways to Ace Deep POV: Writing Better Narrators.
Another approach is to use multiple narrators, each with their own unique voice and perspective. This can be especially effective when writing a story with a large cast of characters, as it allows you to delve deeper into each character's motivations and experiences.
When managing multiple perspectives, it's important to keep the overall plot in mind. Each perspective should serve a purpose and contribute to the overall story arc. It's also important to consider how each perspective affects the pacing of the story.
For example, if you switch to a slower-paced perspective after a high-action scene, it can disrupt the flow of the story, or it might be just what you need to create suspense.
Here are some additional tips to help you manage many perspectives in an action adventure story:
Clearly distinguish each character's voice and perspective for clarity
Use multiple perspectives to reveal varying motivations and hidden agendas
Ensure each viewpoint contributes to the overall plot and character development
Avoid overwhelming readers with too many perspectives; focus on essential ones
Strategically switch between perspectives to maintain reader engagement
Utilize perspective shifts to create suspense, intrigue, or dramatic irony
Ensure consistency in character traits and behavior across different viewpoints
Balance the use of multiple perspectives to avoid confusion and maintain coherence.
Crafting Climactic Moments
In any action and adventure plot, a climactic moment is the peak of excitement and tension that keeps readers hooked until the end. Crafting a climactic moment that pulls everything together requires careful planning and execution.
The climax should be the culmination of all the tension and conflict that has been building up throughout the story. Make sure to create a sense of urgency and danger that will keep your readers invested in the outcome.
It also needs to be personal for your protagonist. It should be the moment when they face their greatest challenge and overcome it. This will make the climax more emotionally satisfying.
The climax should be the moment when the stakes are highest. Your protagonist should be facing their greatest challenge yet, and the outcome should have significant consequences for them and the world around them.
A complex plot needs a good climax that feels deserving of all the twists and surprises that have kept readers going up until that point.
And most importantly, because this is the action adventure genre, after all, the climax should be action-packed and intense. Use vivid, descriptive language to create a sense of urgency and danger that will keep your readers on the edge of their seats.
Here is a final list of tips to help you write the best possible climactic moments for you reader:
Build anticipation throughout the story to lead up to the climactic moment
Intensify tension and stakes as the central conflict nears its resolution
Ensure the climactic moment aligns with the story's overall theme and purpose
Use descriptive language and vivid imagery to heighten the emotional impact
Consider incorporating action-packed sequences to add excitement and thrill
Highlight character growth and transformation during the climactic moment
Resolve subplots and character arcs in conjunction with the main conflict
Avoid rushed resolutions; allow the climactic moment to unfold organically
Provide closure while leaving room for a lingering sense of wonder or contemplation
Aim to deliver a satisfying and memorable conclusion that resonates with readers. The bigger the better!
Final Words
Congratulations! You have successfully plotted a complex and twisting action and adventure plot. Well, you might if you actually start writing. You’re doing that, right? You’re not just reading endless blog posts on how to write?
Remember, the key to creating a successful plot is to keep your audience engaged and guessing. mastering complexity in action-adventure plots requires strategic plotting techniques. By establishing a central conflict, crafting surprising twists, and handling pacing with precision, writers can effectively manage multiple perspectives and culminate in powerful climactic moments.
With all these things in mind, I have no doubt that you will be able to plot out a perfect epic action adventure novel in no time. Then you’ll have to get to the actual writing part. You get stuck there, you can come back and see me.
Until next time, keep writing.
What are the biggest mistakes to avoid in action & adventure writing?
In my experience, the most common mistakes people make when writing action and adventure fiction is succumbing to cliches, not exploring grand enough ideas, creating flat characters, no originality, and neglecting to establish stakes. But that is only the tip of the iceberg. If you want the full breakdown on exactly what action adventure writing mistakes to avoid, check out this post here.
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