For those GM's (and/or writers) out there looking for a little extra sauce in their campaigns and gaming sessions, I recently came across an interesting resource by accident. Apologies if it has been mentioned previously, but a 'quick' search found no mention of it....
It's a book called Plotto by William Wallace Cook, and has been used extensively by screenwriters and authors for the last 70+ years. You can find it at the usual book retailers (like the 'Zon) and Book Depository, etc...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Plotto-William-Wallace-Cook/dp/1935639188
Essentially it attempts to outline every conceivable story idea possible with a forumla on combining the different elements, and to quote the Google & 'Zon book details:
'It takes the 'Plottoist' through hundreds of situations and scenarios, guiding the reader's hand as a dizzying array of purposes and obstacles come to a head. Cook's method is broken down into three stages: First, the master plot. This four-page chart distills the most basic plot points into a three-line sentence. Next, the conflict situation. Each master plot leads the reader to a list of circumstances, distributed among 20 different conflict groups (these range from "Love's Beginning" to "Personal Limitations" to "Transgression"). There are over 2,000 unique conflict situations in the book, and each is cross-referenced with designs for how the situation might have started, or where it might go. Finally, there are character combinations -- Cook offers an extensive index of protagonists, each cross-referenced with various supporting players -- themselves tied to various conflict situations, for what appears to be an inexhaustible reservoir of suggestions and inspiration.'
If you're ever stumped for an idea seed, scenario hook, or some help in detailing your NPC's, it might be worth having a look. Bear in mind, it's extremely extensive... and no wonder Hollywood (and other) screenwriters have been using this as one of their secret little tools.
(Disclaimer - I'm not affiliated with any seller, or the author's estate, etc...)
It's a book called Plotto by William Wallace Cook, and has been used extensively by screenwriters and authors for the last 70+ years. You can find it at the usual book retailers (like the 'Zon) and Book Depository, etc...
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Plotto-William-Wallace-Cook/dp/1935639188
Essentially it attempts to outline every conceivable story idea possible with a forumla on combining the different elements, and to quote the Google & 'Zon book details:
'It takes the 'Plottoist' through hundreds of situations and scenarios, guiding the reader's hand as a dizzying array of purposes and obstacles come to a head. Cook's method is broken down into three stages: First, the master plot. This four-page chart distills the most basic plot points into a three-line sentence. Next, the conflict situation. Each master plot leads the reader to a list of circumstances, distributed among 20 different conflict groups (these range from "Love's Beginning" to "Personal Limitations" to "Transgression"). There are over 2,000 unique conflict situations in the book, and each is cross-referenced with designs for how the situation might have started, or where it might go. Finally, there are character combinations -- Cook offers an extensive index of protagonists, each cross-referenced with various supporting players -- themselves tied to various conflict situations, for what appears to be an inexhaustible reservoir of suggestions and inspiration.'
If you're ever stumped for an idea seed, scenario hook, or some help in detailing your NPC's, it might be worth having a look. Bear in mind, it's extremely extensive... and no wonder Hollywood (and other) screenwriters have been using this as one of their secret little tools.
(Disclaimer - I'm not affiliated with any seller, or the author's estate, etc...)
o:
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