Welcome to the Plot Summit

Our happy attendees

“The Character First session, where we talked about Orientation burst open such an AHA! moment for me. It's already transforming my writing, and I am eternally grateful." - Paige T.

"This was a highly instructive summit and did not simply regurgitate the same topics we've been fed over and over. There were topics I didn't even know were topics and speakers I'd never heard of and I loved that so much.” - Frances P.

Testimonials

Gerald Gambale Escape the Plot Forest 2020 Participant

I wanted to be a writer. This helped me answer my question, and it just cemented my dreams, it’s no longer a dream but an actual goal.
Jean Rogers Escape the Plot Forest 2020 Participant

The participation of the attendees and the range from beginners to published people. You have no idea how much this event changed my writing life.
Cara Flett Escape the Plot Forest 2020 Participant

This summit was five days of targeted value. Each speaker delivered specific techniques for different aspects of plotting novels.
Alison Blackwood Escape the Plot Forest 2020 Participant

I love that it was basically divided into beginning, middle and end in terms of structuring a novel.
A. J. Payler Author of The Killing Song & Lost In the Red

Amazing depth of content made available to a wide audience for free
Polly Hansen Escape the Plot Forest 2020 Participant

All the tips for making my writing better and all the "aha!" moments are the best part of the event.
Jill Urbach Escape the Plot Forest 2020 Participant

This was a Plot Summit; you were clear on the theme and you absolutely met and exceeded my expectations.
Laurie Bierovic Escape the Plot Forest 2020 Participant

Not only did I learn new techniques for plotting, I also received affirmation on things I was already doing in my writing. This summit could be hard to top.
Linda Gordon Hengerer Escape the Plot Forest 2020 Participant

The summit overall was terrific! The presenters were amazing!
Barbara Denz Escape the Plot Forest 2020 Participant

This has been better than any Convention I've been to; better than my MFA program; better than most workshopping or retreats.
Kelly Zimmer Escape the Plot Forest 2020 Participant

Awesome, incredible, organic, accepting. Without having to pull out the Thesaurus - it was great!

"The 7 essential tips lecture was inspiring and helpful, the talk about plot payoff was incredibly organized and taught me a great deal, the lecture series organized by Daniel offered very easily digested ideas that simplified the conceptual side of creating a story. ” - Julia F.

“Hearing such a wide range of speakers talk about their craft with such passion. Listening to them gave me the enthusiasm and determination to keep going with the story I have lodged in my head.” - Zoe J.

6 days

28 speakers

6 categories

our four-day plot masterclass

free and paid tickets available

oct 22nd - 25th of 2020

this summit is your guide to the entire plot process

More testimonials

Lynne “The 3 sessions on the character first novel were so timely for me and really helped me with a new story.”

Kayla M. "It has already enhanced my WIP for NaNoWriMo"

Adele S. “You covered everything. From how to write a novel to how to publish it. Great context. Very well organized. ”

Leah S. “The conference provided a wealth of useful and inspiring information. It was fantastic!”

Charles S. “The memories were pleasantly surprising and inspiring because it was explained from different perspectives.”

Charlie K. “ All the resources were really useful and everyone was so warm and welcoming.”

Mary M. "I appreciated the hour or two breaks between the presentations because most of us are multi-tasking. I did miss one morning so have to catch up. The Plot Pass made that worry free.”

Patrick M. "It feels great! Lots of different ideas!"

This event is your complete guide to the plotting process

It's miserable to be stuck re-writing chapter three again… and again...

Escape the Plot Forest mixes daily prompts, community support, and expert lectures. You'll finish the conference with specific, concrete goals for plotting your next draft.

View the schedule

6 days

28 speakers

6 categories

Featured talks

Here were some of the best talks from the 2020 event.

Daniel Wallace Daniel David Wallace

Welcome to the Summit!
BETH BARANY Creativity Coach for Writers

7 Essential Keys to Planning Your Novel: Story Preparation for Pansters (part one)
Daniel Wallace Daniel David Wallace

Welcome #2 (if the first welcome session is too early)
Linda Lowen Founder, Always Wanted To Write

When It Already Happened: Plotting Your Memoir
April Davila Author

How Structure Informs Plot
Joseph Nassise Writer - Editor - Coach

Using Story Structure to Emotionally Connect to Your Readers
Daniel Wallace Daniel David Wallace

Happy hour
BETH BARANY Creativity Coach for Writers

7 Essential Keys: part two

The Big Problem with Writing Conferences

At some writing summits, you can watch a lot of great talks, but finish the event unsure how to apply the advice to your book, your writing, your life. After all, you've got stuff to do. You've got a lot on your plate: send that email to your boss, feed your demanding cats, scroll through social media in terror.

While each talk was great, you might wonder what to work on.

The Solution: The character-first novel seminar

That's why, during Escape the Plot Forest, Daniel teaches his "Character-First Novel" seminar. Over three days of the summit, you'll get access to this training course for free: each lesson will guide you, via prompts and new techniques, to solve the problems in your current plot — or help you start your next book. You'll get specific, concrete advice that will get you writing.

He'll also follow up each lesson with tips on how each speaker's talk develops or adds to the lessons in the workshop.

Building a Great Mystery in Middle Grade (and Beyond!) 23 October 2020, 08:00 PM