Sonia M. Rompoti, MSc, bsc

Words. They’re tiny spells, little sparks of meaning that slip off our tongues and rearrange the air around us. Some soothe, some sting, some linger like perfume long after they’ve been spoken. So, here goes: to my fellow indie authors… what’s your favorite word?

I know, I know. It sounds like the kind of question you’d get at an awkward icebreaker circle, sandwiched between “If you were a fruit, which one would you be?” and “Name your guilty pleasure TV show.”

But stay with me.

Pretty words are fine, and God knows writers love them. But I’ve always prefered the messy ones (what did you expect??)

And the word I love most? Plot.

Not just because I’m an author (though yes, that’s half of it). But because “plot” has slipped into my real life like a mischievous sidekick, whispering: Go on. Do it. Do it for the plot.

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Inside the Author Brain: Building a Plot

Every book I write begins with a plot. It’s the skeleton, the blueprint, the heartbeat of the story.

But it’s also more than that. Plot is where the magic hides. Characters fall in love, betray each other, burn bridges, mend wounds. A single plot twist can make you gasp, laugh, cry—or text your best friend at 2 a.m. with “OMG you have to read this.” (yes, I do that.. and for those who are new here, you are lucky… I have been known to email some long-time subscribers with unpublished parts of my books at 2 a.m. too lol)

For me, writing plot is like playing chess and improv comedy at the same time. I set the stage, line up the pieces, and then watch as they do things I didn’t entirely plan. (Yes, my characters boss me around. No, I don’t mind. It keeps life interesting.)

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Real Life Has a Plot Too

Here’s where it gets fun.

I’ve started to look at my own life through the same lens I use for my books. When things go wrong, or I take a risk, or I embarrass myself in spectacular fashion—I tell myself: at least it’s good for the plot.

• Missed the train? Plot.
• Took a last-minute trip that went completely sideways? Plot.
• Said yes when I should’ve said no, or no when I should’ve said yes? Still plot.

It turns mistakes into stories. Failures into twists. And awkward encounters into comedy. Honestly, if you can frame your life as a novel, you’re never really losing—you’re just building character development.

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Why “Plot” Isn’t Just for Books

Plot. The word itself is short. Punchy. Easy to remember. But it carries weight.

• For readers: it promises drama, movement, momentum. No plot, no story.
• For writers: it’s where we wrestle with structure, with why things happen and what they mean.
• For humans: it’s a reminder that everything—even the messy stuff—can become part of a bigger picture.

When you think about it, we’re all living inside some sort of plot. We just don’t always know which chapter we’re in until it’s over.

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Plot Twists Are Why I Write Romance

(Because who doesn’t love a gasp-out-loud moment?)

One of the reasons I write romance is because life is full of plot twists.

Enemies turn into lovers. Friends cross lines. Widows find hope again. Curvy heroines discover their worth in the eyes of billionaires (and in their own).

Romance thrives on plot. The tension. The almost-kisses. The misunderstandings. The delicious relief of resolution. If life is a story, then love is the plotline we secretly root for, even when it’s messy, even when it hurts.

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My Motto: Do It for the Plot

This has basically become my motto.

It’s why I said yes to starting an indie author career when it would’ve been easier not to.
It’s why I publish books even when I’m terrified no one will read them.
It’s why I keep writing blog posts like this—because sharing words, connecting with strangers, risking vulnerability—it’s all part of the plot.

So the next time you’re debating something—big or small—ask yourself:

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What’s Your Word?

(Seriously, I want to know—drop it in the comments)

Soooo, plot. That’s my favorite word. But what about yours?

What word makes your heart do a little cartwheel?
What word could be your motto, your guiding star, your chapter title?

Think about it. And if you want, tell me—I love hearing these things.

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