Master class in writing
http://ken-follett.com/masterclass/

I'm trying to write, and I cannot for the life of me seem to plot. Oh, story ideas and characters are very easy for me. So are beginnings and middles. But endings? I full plot arc? Can't seem to do it. Whether or not my actual writing is good enough that others would want to read it isn't even an issue yet, because I can't figure out an actual plot.

And I love to read. I read lots. Perhaps one of my problems is that I tend to read a lot more non-fiction than fiction, and non-fiction generally doesn't have an actual plot.

At least there are plenty of others who write stuff I want to read.

from history? Dumas made his bones that way. And I just read one by Dennis Lehane that's based on the Boston police walkout of 1919. And it was a Shakespearian mainstay; look at all those history plays.

And definitely not historical novels. What I am trying to do as I read more fiction is to pay careful attention to the plot itself.

Among my several problems as a writer is I tend not to put in enough details of any kind, the stuff that makes a scene very interesting.

What I'm currently working on is an s-f novel involving temporal exchange students from ancient Rome. The basic idea is a good one (heck, most basic ideas are good) and I have most of my characters figured out, but where it should all end up is completely baffling to me. I have a number of plot threads that simply go out and out, and I somehow need to rein them in and bring everything to something that resembles a conclusion.

I'm hoping to be accepted into a novel writing workshop this coming summer that may help me a lot. Meanwhile, I think what I need most to do is keep on writing and writing and see where it takes me.

I will say, that some years ago I gave up writing because I decided that there are enough people out there writing the sort of books I like to read that the literary world will get along just fine without my contribution. But lately, I've had a strong motivation to get out the stories that are inside me.

Expand every notion 'til it floats of its own accord. Good luck.

and expand every notion til it floats of its own accord.

I like that.