Jane Yolen on plot

From Take Joy, by Jane Yolen:

"It is the writer's privilege, really, to order events, to focus on one strand of an existence while ignoring all others. We cannot do this in reality--but we can on the pages of a book." [p. 134]

"A good plot does not just look forward. It forces us backwards and sideward as well. It makes us look inward instead of outward. Think of plot as a kind of time-travel device. While it goes ahead, it changes what it has passed through; it rearranges where it has been...The plot needs to shadow and foreshadow and back-shadow as well." [pp 140-141]

"I think really the best thing to be said about plot is: Always something going on." [p. 143]