Here’s one way to do it. It’s the “architecture” for Secret of the Pickled Pigs’ Feet, which had a different working title early on. This is how you lay out a mainstream novel!

It sets out the plot, scene by scene, one at a time. There’s a certain structure to be sure, but no template. The ZIN series defies any template. We’re not here to cook ordinary food, or to have a cookie-cutter book. Great restaurants don’t stick to formulas, so books shouldn’t either. Predictability is not part of this architecture.

Anyways, this chart is posted directly above Michael’s keyboard at his desk. There’s a grandiose-picture aspect, of course, and little details you don’t want to lose in the bigger mix. With all the action, it’s not hard to lose your place! This architecture keeps us all on track. Think about a series like Harry Potter. So so complex. The architecture behind those books must have been bewildering.