Pants...plot? Let's change the conversation, I can find a way. I will do what it takes.
Not all writer's think like Larry Brooks in Story Engineering. But his observations are spot on.
It helps to read fiction, and tell yourself a story.... believing you can do it. With persistent
practice most things can come to fruition.

1. the point at which a plan or project is realized the plans have come to fruition sooner
than expected
2. the realization of a plan or project
3. the state or action of producing fruit

How does this happen? ... we must reset our minds... back to default...become as children...be re-born.. to a Cosmic mindset.......

Dictionary

cosmos

noun cos·mos \ˈkäz-məs, 1 & 2 also -ˌmōs, -ˌmäs\

the cosmos : the universe especially when it is understood as an ordered system

ull Definition of COSMOS

a : universe 1

b (1) : an orderly harmonious systematic universe — compare chaos (2) : order, harmony

: a complex orderly self-inclusive system

I think many new writers believe Steven King is a pantser.... they see him waking and writing stories off the top of his head, like skill and talent are the sole possesion of the prodigy. Or the genetically perfect mind.

I believe in the saying...

"Raise up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will no depart from it..."

this idea holds a lot of water with me, because I can see that it is proven in many cases...

not and a mathematical equation but as an artistic or spiritual axiom. The prodigy is rare
more than the frog hair.

The path is long and narrow and few will find their way. As adults we must humble ourselves
to the task. We begin as children and ask for help. We internalize the system that seeks chasos,
and provides, sorts, molds and transforms chaos into harmony.

Leon, maybe an episode of "Father Knows Best?" Not feeling the tension or being gripped by fear with this.

July 5 at 4:28pm · Unlike · 2

Leon Davis That's what I was going for.

July 5 at 4:29pm · Like · 1

It should be the next scene that scares the S___ out of you.

July 5 at 4:31pm · Like · 1

Hmm... A killer thriller? Is grandma coming out of the house with an axe in next scene?

Leon Davis Or the next...

July 5 at 4:32pm · Like

Leon Davis no mom and dad are killed in a car crash

July 6 at 9:11am · Edited · Like

Or the wife comes out dragging a tied up person either dead or alive depending upon where you want to go.

July 5 at 4:34pm · Unlike · 1

Leon Davis no the boy is suddenly 10 years

July 5 at 4:36pm · Edited · Like

Leon Davis and he meets his new family and moves in with uncle Bob

July 5 at 4:37pm · Like

"I'll give ya' peek-a-boo," wife snarled as she returned from house, dangling a photo of some scantily-clad redhead that she'd found in her hub's dresser when putting his folded laundry away. But that really wouldn't be a thriller, unless it had a time element to it, would it?

July 5 at 4:38pm · Like

Leon Davis not so fast big boys...this is not a quickie..

July 5 at 4:41pm · Edited · Like

Oh, no, not that Uncle Bob! He has a dungeon in his basement and, well, …..

I see that I can't type quickly enough.

July 5 at 4:40pm · Like

Missed prior comments while trying to complete my own.

July 5 at 4:41pm · Like

Leon Davis no he's a great guy. Sends Billy to school, little league and law school and teaches him to stay away from girls...

July 5 at 4:43pm · Edited · Like

Teaches him to stay away from girls? Is this a sequel to "Mission Impossible?"

July 5 at 4:45pm · Like

Leon Davis ask Billy to run his restaurant and oversee his business affairs...

July 5 at 4:46pm · Edited · Like

Leon Davis ...uncle Bob sponsors a young girl from the old country and sends he to Chef and Restruant management...Jeanie McDoogle

July 5 at 4:48pm · Like

Leon Davis something happen to Billy that changes every thing...

July 5 at 4:53pm · Like

when he is holding up the baby. Then have the wife scream. Now you're on your way. smile emoticon

July 5 at 5:06pm · Edited · Unlike · 2

Leon Davis Uncle Bob is found near dead and taken to the hospital...only Billy knows how rich he is and how to run all his business.

July 5 at 5:00pm · Like

Leon Davis If it doesn't sound like a page turner ...there are no pages, only the three basic points of Act I...hook, line, and sinker. Some call hook back ground and trigger. Plus the flaw of the protagonist. Billy's flaw is in sceen one act one...but it's not understood by anyone but me and who ever finishes the book.

July 5 at 5:36pm · Like

Leon Davis the scenes can not be written until I know the story, the hook and background can not be polished, the foreshadows all will be conceived and inserted when the story's PLOT is known. The flaws of the different characters will become apparent and plotted to make the character arc. The goals of the characters...but the story will be about the arc of William Drury McLane.

July 5 at 5:48pm · Edited · Like

Leon Davis Act one will end with Uncle Bob Unable to move or talk. Act II begins with Billy in charge of Uncles Bob's Tavern and restaurant and businesses built up in Chicago over 20-30 years. Act II begins with Billy full of self doubt...the CRISIS in his mind is he has lost his Mentor who could come back to health and be disappointed with him if he isn't very careful. The amount of wealth Billy is responsible for is enormous.

July 5 at 5:55pm · Like

Leon Davis thank you

July 5 at 6:06pm · Like

July 5 at 6:10pm · Edited · Unlike · 1

Leon Davis Billy was orphaned at 10. Loves baseball is was poured into him as a baby... he becomes very good at it but losing the contact of his base ball mentor, he is twisted a little bit. Then with no mother he is mentored by his father's brother.Uncle Bob...p...See More

July 5 at 6:17pm · Like

Leon Davis the Act One tender scene has a purpose... it may take a twist but it is not yet possible to efficiently write it ....until I map the struggle against the antagonist and Billy McLean's self destructive behavior...ending in the epiphany that brings him to a realization his own behavior/ thinking/ misconception was holding him back...now he know what he must do...

July 5 at 6:29pm · Like

Leon Davis His flaw is his attachment to the father figure, and not testing and learning the need for autonomy. Has missed natural development for a man. He has lost his father an mother ......loses the continuity of a happy life..... he recovers but is warped living in a tavern and seeing the duality of life before he can process it maturely.... reaches adult hood a bubble off plumb... one brick short of a load... NOW his flaw is holding him back.... obedience to a failing authority.... he misses baseball, Mom, apple pie, thinks what must he do ....if he marries the cook he violates the instructions of Uncle. Into this story line I must mix MURDER, SEX, Crime, failure, defeat near ruin. Uncle Bob ...is bedridden Bob want to marry , Uncle Bob was wasting for Billy to grow up and be a man. They decide to give most of the ill-gotten fortune to Create public institutions... create jobs promote peace by teaching people to find it within them selves first... and pass it on...The Antagonist - Greed- presonified by ? As yet un con-cieved Villian.

3 mins · Edited · Like

Leon this opening thus far is well-written but does not make the reader wonder what is going to happen next so if that is your goal I agree that some foreshadowing or conflict has to be introduced. Also paragraph when you change speakers and etc. but I'm sure at this moment you don't give two frogs legs about grammar etc.

July 6 at 8:43am · Edited · Unlike · 1

Leon Davis Maybe I should add a puppy. Or a special idem that was in Biyy's posession when his parents are killed?

July 6 at 9:24am · Like

Leon Davis He was tiring to say Baseball...

July 6 at 1:30pm · Like · 1

Leon Davis You mean like "BABA" what did he say daddy?

July 6 at 1:46pm · Like

Leon Davis He knows three words mama BABA And Strike

July 6 at 3:32pm · Edited · Like · 1

Leon Davis Ok , I' m trying to outline the antagonist....The kid is being programed for a strong positive attitude...but it is dependant on his parents...they are taken away.... Later Uncle Bob... is very influential..

July 6 at 1:52pm · Like

Leon Davis then Uncle has a stroke...I want antagonist ...I don't see him yet..

July 6 at 1:53pm · Like