Plotting Cinematically Using the Tentpole Method
Plotting Cinematically Using the Tentpole Method" teaches writers how to turn vivid “movie scenes” in their heads into a complete, writable novel. This session explores the strengths and pitfalls of cinematic-style plotting and how to use it to build a satisfying narrative arc. Writers will learn how to identify and connect key “tentpole” moments, outline effective rising and falling action, and shape their scattered ideas into a compelling plot structure. Whether you're a discovery writer or a planner, this method offers a flexible, story-first approach to outlining.
About the Instructor:
A.J. (she/they) is a magpie of plots, bad ideas, and spite. She is a queer speculative fiction writer and the author of a number of novels, including the acclaimed Hell’s Library fantasy series. Her writing has appeared in Uncanny Magazine and various anthologies, and she's an alumni of Viable Paradise workshop. She's represented by Caitlin McDonald of Donald Maass Literary Agency. A.J. lives in the deep woods just outside of Portland, OR with her husband, her hounds, and her ghosts.
