I seem to have a blind spot when it comes to being able to explain easily the difference between narrative and plot. Anybody got a handy explanation they can give to someone who's swallowed some idiot pills?

Plot is the skeleton of the story. The mechanics - how one thing effects another.

Narrative is delivering the story directly to the reader. It's telling the reader what is happening in the story - as opposed to showing them.

Can anyone boil it down further?

I think you've nailed it perfectly, Colin. Describing the plot is like describing the mechanics of steam propulsion. Narrative is the whole train, from firebox to coathooks.

Emma

Thanks Colin and Emma.