MPO: Master Plot Outline

[coffeemom]

I'm not sure if I'm asking this on the right topic of the forum.

Can anyone explain to me what the MPO - Master Plot Outline - is?

I've heard that all comic books follow it, but it can help plot a novel, too.

[Cathy C]

I'm afraid I've never heard of an MPO. You might get a better answer over on our Comic Books and Graphic Novels (http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=89) forum.

Good luck! :)

[sunandshadow]

Comic books are small plots that have to fit together to create the overall plot of the series. So basically the MPO is a timeline of the important things which happend in the backstory, the episodes already written, intended future episodes, and the intended eventual end of the series. Not too much different from a regular novel plot outline.

[Atomic Bear]

I have never heard the term before, but I think that sunandshadow has it right. It sounds like it is a term that might more work with the monthly books that come from companies DC and Marvel.

[AceTachyon]

It sounds similar to the "Levitz paradigm," developed by former DC editor Paul Levitz. Dennis O'Neil writes about it in his book The DC Comics Guide to Writing Comics.