How to Make Plot Setup Less Bland
Layered Build-up
One approach I often use is a layered build-up.
For example, the protagonist wants to do something, like eating when hungry. But she’s an actress and needs to lose weight, so she sneaks off, hoping to discreetly eat a cake.
You could write it like this: She sneaks over, thinking no one notices, feeling a bit smug. Just as she’s about to pick up the dessert, she runs into an acquaintance. She has to pretend nothing happened and act as though she’s just passing by. Once the acquaintance leaves, she tries again, only to find that the acquaintance has taken less and is now heading back. The two run into each other again. She has no choice but to hand over the dessert, pretending she picked it up for them. After handing it over, the acquaintance suspects she just wanted to steal a bite. She vehemently denies it, giving a righteous speech. Once everyone leaves, she sneaks up again, only to find the dessert has already been eaten. Just as she’s about to give up, the acquaintance sees her and offers her some of the leftover dessert.
This kind of repeated, frustrating back-and-forth makes the plot more engaging.
Exhaustive Search Method
For humorous or quirky stories, I use an exhaustive search method.
I list out all possible outcomes, without imposing any restrictions on myself. Then, I pick the least likely one and find a way to rationalize it, creating a surprising but reasonable effect. This helps generate an unexpected yet plausible twist in the plot.
