Ha! We have come to the reason you picked up this book (metaphorically because technically you just clicked on it.) I'm going to explain to you the 7 Plot Points of a book. These are general guide lines that will help you develop a well structured plot.

As I go through the points I will being using A Second Chance (ASC) as an example so you understand what I'm talking about. (Warning: I don't give away much but in not giving you spoilers it might not be clear. So if you haven't read it, jump over and read it. It will take you about a day, or so people have told me)

On we go! (#TeamKannon4Ever)

Plot Point 1: Old Normal

This is where you talk about the world you are creating and what the general rules of it are. (For instance if there is magic, you talk about magic in a casual way so we understand that's how things go)

(That is normal for Inception)

ASC example: The book starts off with Lennon in the lobby of a record label. Quickly we find out: she is a singer, Kade Mathews is part of Hey Farewell a huge pop band and has been doing an apology tour, Lennon came up from doing small shows and this is the big leagues.

There is more stuff you learn (like the fact that Kade is a total babe), but you get the general idea. It's about introducing the world that we (as the reader) will be inhabiting for the next few hundred pages or so.

Plot Point 2: Inciting Incident

Here something happens to change up your character's world. It could be meeting the new guy, moving, an explosion or someone dying. It is the moment that sets the whole story in motion.

ASC example: Lennon gets asked to date Kade. That is the moment the story takes a different turn for Lennon. She was expecting just to open for Hey Farewell, now she's asked to date Kade. (Sounds like the deal of a lifetime, if you ask me.)

Plot Point 3: Point of Commitment (It's really called Point of No Return but I just end up thinking of Phantom of the Opera so I changed it) (Dude, same!)

This is where your character makes a choice that they can't turn back from. The decision that will put them on the path that they will take for the remainder of the story.

ASC example: the point of commitment for Lennon is when she signs the contract saying she will date Kade. There is no turning back after that.

Plot Point 4: Midpoint A (There are two parts to the midpoint, so I will have A and B)

This is one of the largest parts of your books. It's the middle section. The place where a million things happen. It's all the things that happen to lead up to the end of the book. The first midpoint is the lighter aspects of the book.

ASC example: Lennon touring. Her fight with Kade. Them making up and becoming friends. Their first date. Parties.

Plot Point 4: Midpoint B

Things shift up another notch. Actions become more serious and relationship become stronger or start falling apart. Something shifts to make the story hold more weight.

ASC example: Kade is drunk. Thanksgiving. Lennon being sick. Christmas. New Years. Mexico.

Plot Point 5: Big Gloom

Here is where your story starts to fall apart. Everything that could go wrong is going wrong. The worst possible situations are happening to your characters and it looks like things are never going to be better again.

(Oh God! Not Barry Allen crying! Anything but that! *bursts into tears because I'm a sympathetic crier and he's the best crier there is*)

(In this structure you can play around. Usually right after the Big Gloom comes the Climax/Conclusion, but in ASC it's spread out a bit more.)

ASC example: The Grammy's, Kade and Lennon fighting. The truth about...*cough* you know.

Plot Point 6: Climax/ Conclusion

This is where everything explodes and then resolves. Know this could be dragged out over a few chapters. A conclusion can come a lot later in the book than the climax, but its always the one and then the other.

(Like I said, in ASC it's fudged a bit)

ASC example: (The Climax) The news breaks. Kade takes Lennon away. They hide out. Lennon faces her emotions over the whole situation. (The Conclusion) She decides to share.

Plot Point 7: New Normal

Here the world is set right and you show us what that means. What does this new world after all that has happened look like. This is where you tie up loose ends and make us feel all warm and fuzzy inside.

ASC: Lennon and Kade are together. The adorable epilogue (It's that simple)

SO! What are you thinking?

I should really go re-read A Second Chance. It's been long enough, I think my heart can handle it.

(Can it though? Can it really? I mean it is Kannon after all!)

Did this help you start seeing your story differently?

I hope so! If you need things clarified, comment and I will make the necessary changes! I hope this helped shift things in your mind and putting those random ideas for a story into more solid formation!

If you got questions just comment and ask away!

Good luck and happy writing!