on writing: the plot
Some advice on writing a plot, as a writer myself, but also based on compelling plots I love as a reader:
Create tension and problems right away.
Stories consist of 3 parts: narration (moving story from A to B), description (creating sensory reality for the reader), dialogue (bringing characters to life)
The situations come first, the characters next.
The most interesting situations can usually be expressed as What If questions.
Jump right into the middle of an action. Introductions later – actions tell a lot about a character. It's like meeting new people: the first impression meets you first, not the small talk.