Writer's block got you in its cruel grasp again? Fear not, my friends, I shall make a list of some of the most basic plots to help you out of your block's hold. But first, try to keep in mind that you may need to shake it up a bit. Try your pen at something new. 

Why should you try to write something new? Because you might not know your full potential as a writer, maybe you're a multi-genre author, maybe you're writing the wrong genre, or maybe you're an author who is better at writing short stories than full-length novels. So give it a shot, what do you have to lose except writer's block? 

1. WRETCHED EXCESS PLOT - this specific plot doles out the psychological decline of the main character. In this plot, the main character is a person who pushes the boundary past what is socially acceptable behavior, perhaps on purpose or by accident. The main character is then obligated to face the consequences of their actions. 
- Make sure to be blunt with information that allows your reader to find empathy for your character. 
- Be meticulous when it comes to the development of your main character because they will be what drives your story. 
- Don't portray your main character as psychotic. Think of The Tell-Tale Heart by Edgar Alan Poe. The characteristics of madness are in the narrator's speech; however, he sees himself as anything but mad. 

2. METAMORPHOSIS PLOT - this is another plot which delves into your main character's psychology. In the metamorphosis plot, your character literally and physically begins to transform into who they truly are on the inside. 
- Think of The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde. I know that in this particular example the main character doesn't physically change, but his portrait does. Regardless, it is a great example of how a person will go the extra mile to keep themselves from being exposed. 
- Of course, the story could go many different directions. Outer beauty stained by inner ugliness, inner insecurities stains outer beauty or even outer ugliness is transformed by inner beauty. This plot can range from light-hearted comedy to a dark subliminal narrative. 

3. BLIND VENGENCE  PLOT - unlike The Count of Monte Cristo, in this plot for revenge the protagonist has no idea that they're plotting revenge for either a very stupid reason or no reason at all. The case of misinformation. It happens to all of us in real life, that's why the word petty is so often used. Turning a very small thing into a very big thing. However, as the protagonist gets deeper and deeper into their plotting, things don't go as planned. 
- When I say things don't go as planned, I mean things don't turn out like the protagonist had first envisioned. 
- Dramatic irony is usually involved. 
- Can be comedic or tragic. 

4. FORBIDDEN LOVE SATIRE - what would romance be without angst? Just a love story I suppose. Thanks to fans of Romeo and Juliet, Lolita, and The Great Gatsby, forbidden love is something often romanticized and executed with justification. However, what if we were to take a note from Mark Twain and flip the script? Turn forbidden love into a satire that exposes all the flaws of toxicity in romance, not that all forbidden love is toxic, but more often than not, in the most classic tales of romance, forbidden love is based on lust, selfishness, and only a hint of true love. 
- With satire, things aren't all that obvious. A reader can read your story and have the message go right over their heads. So be warned, you might end up sending the wrong message. 
- Always know the end goal and what you are trying to convey; if you get lost in your writing, so will your readers. 

Even if you can't get a fully fledged story from any of these, it is always good to exercise your writing muscles. Never let your wordsmithing get rusty and always try to write something you would never picture yourself writing in a million years. No matter how bonkers it sounds, it might turn out well.