Plot a lot (I don't)

I believe in one of my previous posts I promised to talk about plotting out a story. I never did. Mostly because I'm terrible at this whole blog thing and rarely get around to writing a post. Also, I've realized that for the most part I don't really plot out any of my stories. I tend to free write, I sit down and let the story flow its course and I just ride along as the words flow out my finger tips.

This works great for short stories, which I tend to write quite frequently, though some tend to go on and on and become things somewhat larger than mere short stories. I've come to the decision that I'm going to start sending out my short stories, entering them in different competitions and submitting them to different literary magazines and such. I figure I might as well, I write them, no one reads them. Aside from my wife after I pester her to death. So, if you happen to know of any legit magazines and competitions, hit me up. I'd appreciate it.

Back to plotting, plots, plot points, etc. Fun stuff. My current WIP has the working title of The Fox Spirit which I talked about in a previous post. I haven't done much with plotting the story, I have a rough feel for the overall idea behind it. Several important plot points I'm excited to write. It seems to work for me. I know some people do a lot of plotting, lots of background and lots of world building (especially if it's an epic fantasy) but there are others who don't really do any plotting at all.

This is basically what the plotline is:

Exposition- Basically it's just the beginning of your plot where the audience meets your characters. Most importantly the main character, or protagonist. What are they like? What do they want? Who are they? Do they have any hopes, dreams or fears? What do they struggle with? These are some fairly basic questions which in most novels are answered or at least addressed in some form during this part of the book. This part ends once you introduce conflict.

Rising Action- This is where your protagonist and other characters start to walk into hell. Usually, the protagonist will have a goal to further the story. Knight goes to rescue princess, detective tries to find killer, etc. This bigger goal is usually interrupted by smaller obstacles which build tension, small failures and small successes that help develop characters and their relationships. In the graph it's all zig zagged, shooting up and coming back down. Giving the reader a burst of action or tension and then resolving it, letting the reader relax.

Climax- The most exciting part of the story. The protagonist generally comes face to face with the problem for the first time and must make a crucial decision. This is where they show what they're really made of and where they change. Up to this point your character is more or less the same person, the climax is the point of no return where your character's choice will determine who he/she will become by the end of the book.

Falling action- Life goes on. Things return to normal, even if the problem hasn't been solved. Loose ends start coming together and answers start falling into place for the reader.

Resolution- Things resolve. It's basically the end. Any remaining loose ends are tied off, unanswered questions are dealt with swiftly and the story concludes. The consequences of the previous events become apparent (the good and the bad) and..

That's it. In a nutshell. You can go through and plot out everything of the story. Beginning, middle and end. You can plot out every detail if you'd like or sketch a simple outline, or just write.

Do you plot extensively? Outline? Or simply write?