Plot Ideas

This list of plot ideas was created by Charles Simmons and titled as "Plots that Sell to Pay Magazines."

1. The Child Matures
   
2. The Inexplicable Vice Is Revealed as a Virtue
   
3. The Mysterious Situation Is Explained
   
4. The Puzzling Identity Is Revealed
   
5. The Hero Is Freed from His False Belief
   
6. A Material Reward Is Sought and a Spiritual One Is Found
   
7. Biter-Bit: Aggressor becomes the victim
   
8. The Incompetent Hero Proves His Worth
   
9. The Impossible Assignment Is Accomplished
   
10. The Possible Assignment Is Accomplished
    
11. Friends or Lovers Quarrel and Are Reconciled
    
12. The Threatened Unity of the Family Is Re-established
    
13. The Evil of a Bad Man Asserts Itself
    
14. The Good-Bad Hero Comes to a Poignant End
    
15. The Virtue of the Tempted Hero Asserts Itself
    
16. The Aging Hero Finds Peace or Satisfaction
    
17. The Hero Chooses the Wiser Alternative or the Better Person
    
18. Girl Gets Boy, Boy Gets Girl, Boy and Girl Get Each Other
    
19. Boy Loses Girl, Girl Loses Boy, Boy and Girl Lose Each Other
    
20. The Hero Overcomes His One Failing
    
21. Happiness Is Relinquished Because of Duty
    
22. The Hero's Doubt about Another Is Dispelled
    
23. A Facet of Human Nature Is Revealed
    
24. The Hero's Vital Hope or Faith Wanes and Is Revived
    
25. The Validity of Magic Is Established
    
26. Problem Plots

All links above are to the Gordianplot. The links are reproduced here because the site is difficult to navigate.

See also: 20 Master Plots; and 36 Dramatic Situations