Plan T - A View from the Top and the Bottom
Plan T takes its inspiration from the classic Cole Porter song You’re the Top from the musical Anything Goes. With its clever lyrics and infectious melody, the song celebrates the highs and lows of life — where one person may be at the pinnacle, while another is at the bottom.
As writers, we can use this dual perspective to bring depth and contrast to our stories. Plan T invites you to ascend to the highest vantage point — literally or in your imagination — and write about what you see, feel, and understand from that lofty height. But it also challenges you to do the opposite: to explore the depths, the bottom of the barrel, the lowest ebb.
Just like in the song, if one character is soaring, another may be falling. Many compelling stories thrive on this dynamic. The classic rags-to-riches arc follows this trajectory, as do tales of downfall and redemption. Harold Robbins, the legendary novelist, was a master of this approach.
A Plan T writer doesn’t just stay at one level — they explore both extremes. This contrast creates balance, drama, and tension in storytelling. Think of The Fountainhead by Ayn Rand: Howard Roark, the uncompromising architect, falls as low as one can go, laboring in a granite quarry. But through sheer resilience, vision, and ultimate talent, he rises to the top. Meanwhile, Peter Keating, who seemingly has it all, slowly descends to the bottom because he compromised his integrity by being what Ayn Rand calls a “second-hander.”
Great plots thrive on this interplay between rise and fall. William Foster-Harris, in The Basic Patterns of Plot, outlined how reversals make compelling storytelling.
So, for your next writing project, take a step back. Imagine a view from the highest peak and the lowest valley. What changes when you shift your perspective?
And remember, Dear Reader, in my book, you're always the top!
Next time, we’ll navigate to Plan U – the U-Boat Plan.
Stay tuned!