Welcome, fellow creators! Today, we’re talking about one of my favorite aspects of storytelling: plot. When it comes to writing a story, readers want to be captivated by an engaging plot that keeps them on the edge of their seat. But what makes a plot stand out from the rest? The answer is simple: thinking outside the box. When we break out of traditional formulas and try new techniques, we create unique and unforgettable stories. So, let’s explore some innovative plotting techniques that will help you create a truly remarkable story.

Reverse Chronological Order 🕛🔄

One unconventional way to tell a story is to start at the end and work your way backwards. This technique is known as reverse chronological order. By starting at the end, we can create a sense of urgency and mystery, as readers try to piece together how the story got to where it is now. It’s important to make sure that the end is still satisfying, even if the readers already know what’s going to happen.

A clock running backwards

Alternating Timelines 🕰️⏳

Another way to add intrigue to a storyline is by using alternating timelines. This technique involves interweaving two or more timelines that are taking place simultaneously. This can be done by jumping back and forth between timelines or by revealing one or more timelines through non-linear storytelling. This technique can help create a sense of tension, building up to a single moment that connects the timelines together.

Two timelines intertwining with each other

Multiple Points of View 👀👥

Instead of telling a story from a single perspective, try using multiple points of view. Each character can provide a unique perspective on the events taking place, and this can help create a richer and more complex story. This technique also allows for more depth when it comes to character development, as we get to see the story through their individual lenses.

Three people standing and looking at different objects

Non-linear Storytelling 📜🚫

Non-linear storytelling involves jumping around in time to show events that have already occurred. This technique can create a sense of mystery and intrigue, as readers try to piece together the events that have led to the current moment. It’s important to make sure that the timeline is still easy to follow, even if it’s not moving in chronological order.

A tangled red string

Unreliable Narrators 🤥📖

An unreliable narrator is a character who tells the story but cannot be trusted to tell the truth. By using an unreliable narrator, we can create a sense of mystery and tension, as readers try to piece together what is really happening. It’s important to make sure that the reader can still understand what’s happening, even if the narrator is lying or hiding something.

A person wearing a mask with a question mark on it

In Conclusion 📝👨‍💻

Plot is one of the most important aspects of any story, so it’s important to make sure that it’s engaging and memorable. By thinking outside the box, we can create plots that are truly unique and unforgettable. Reverse chronological order, alternating timelines, multiple points of view, non-linear storytelling, and unreliable narrators are all techniques that can help us create stories that stand out from the rest. So, go forth and create something amazing!

A group of people standing together and looking at a sunset