Lester Dent Plot Formula

crich70 · 03-06-2014, 02:17 PM

Recently I created a template for Scrivener that is based on the Lester Dent Plot and I thought I'd share the formula and the template here at MR in case anyone were interested. I've already begun to come up with a couple possible story lines using the template.

The Formula
Click

The Scrivener template
Click

Lemurion · 03-06-2014, 02:40 PM

Thank you, this is very cool.

Going to have to grab that template once I'm on my Mac.

crich70 · 03-06-2014, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lemurion

Thank you, this is very cool.

Going to have to grab that template once I'm on my Mac.

You're welcome Lemurion. I hope that you find the template useful.

Matth79 · 03-09-2014, 09:59 AM

Reminds me of the "Midsomer Murders" formula.

1. Optional - start with an old murder from way back.
2. Murder in strange place, or with strange object (like a wheel of cheese ... "where's the murder weapon?" ... "you're standing in it!")
3. Village life, and some people where they shouldn't be
4. Have another murder (actually, 3 is a good count for Midsomer)

Anna Drake · 03-09-2014, 10:34 AM

I love Midsomer Murders -- especially with the first male lead. I never thought about them having a formula before. Not surprising perhaps. The mystery genre has it's rules; then toss in the required three act construction for novels, etc., and there isn't much wiggle room. Still, IMHO, completing a novel is difficult even with the help of all those rules.

crich70 · 03-09-2014, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Anna Drake

I love Midsomer Murders -- especially with the first male lead. I never thought about them having a formula before. Not surprising perhaps. The mystery genre has it's rules; then toss in the required three act construction for novels, etc., and there isn't much wiggle room. Still, IMHO, completing a novel is difficult even with the help of all those rules.

I like the midsomer murder shows too. As for the rules I tend to think of them more as a basic structure on which a story can be built. I mean to use the house analogy you can use the same tools to build a small house or a mansion. The layout will be different and what goes inside once it's finished may vary but the basic techniques used to build both are the same.

Penforhire · 03-10-2014, 04:14 PM

Matt, now where have I heard that formula before? Oh yes -- Colonel Mustard, in the library, with a lead pipe.

Anna Drake · 03-11-2014, 10:33 AM

Ooo, I used to love Clue.

VydorScope · 03-17-2014, 08:09 AM

I wonder how many authors played a game of Clue and then turned it it to a story? Seems like you could.

03-06-2014, 02:17 PM	#1
crich70 Grand Sorcerer Posts: 11,305 Karma: 43993832 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Monroe Wisconsin Device: K3, Kindle Paperwhite, Calibre, and Mobipocket for Pc (netbook)	Lester Dent Plot Formula Recently I created a template for Scrivener that is based on the Lester Dent Plot and I thought I'd share the formula and the template here at MR in case anyone were interested. I've already begun to come up with a couple possible story lines using the template. The Formula Click The Scrivener template Click

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03-06-2014, 02:40 PM	#2
Lemurion eReader Posts: 2,750 Karma: 4968470 Join Date: Aug 2007 Device: Note 5; PW3; Nook HD+; ChuWi Hi12; iPad	Thank you, this is very cool. Going to have to grab that template once I'm on my Mac.

03-09-2014, 09:59 AM	#4
Matth79 Zealot Posts: 122 Karma: 502620 Join Date: Jan 2012 Device: Kobo Touch	Reminds me of the "Midsomer Murders" formula. 1. Optional - start with an old murder from way back. 2. Murder in strange place, or with strange object (like a wheel of cheese ... "where's the murder weapon?" ... "you're standing in it!") 3. Village life, and some people where they shouldn't be 4. Have another murder (actually, 3 is a good count for Midsomer)

03-09-2014, 10:34 AM	#5
Anna Drake Zealot Posts: 104 Karma: 2175016 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: rural Illinois, USA Device: Kindle	I love Midsomer Murders -- especially with the first male lead. I never thought about them having a formula before. Not surprising perhaps. The mystery genre has it's rules; then toss in the required three act construction for novels, etc., and there isn't much wiggle room. Still, IMHO, completing a novel is difficult even with the help of all those rules.

03-10-2014, 04:14 PM	#7
Penforhire Wizard Posts: 2,230 Karma: 7145404 Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Southern California Device: Kindle Voyage & iPhone 7+	Matt, now where have I heard that formula before? Oh yes -- Colonel Mustard, in the library, with a lead pipe.

03-11-2014, 10:33 AM	#8
Anna Drake Zealot Posts: 104 Karma: 2175016 Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: rural Illinois, USA Device: Kindle	Ooo, I used to love Clue.

03-17-2014, 08:09 AM	#9
VydorScope Wizard Posts: 3,418 Karma: 35207650 Join Date: Jun 2011 Device: iPad	I wonder how many authors played a game of Clue and then turned it it to a story? Seems like you could.

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