7 Ready Dwarfs

 Jacob M. Appel wrote another highlighted WD article; 'Better Starts for Better Stories'. Of course, these aren't hard & fast, like most writing rules. But, they are chock full of great info & direction.  Here goes.


Timeless Rule - "It is a truth universally acknowledged that a single man in possession of a good fortune must be in want of a wife." Jane Austen 'Pride & Prejudice'

Then, the story works to prove the proposition. With this premise, the male MC had best be on the hunt.

Just the Facts - "I sat on a large rock on a hillside and fought my rope restraints." Robert Gleason & Junius Podrug 'Gary Jennings' Apocalypse 2012'

Simple. To the point. And, a great hook to keep the reader reading.

Better in Twos - "As Mickey Stillson stared at the gun in his hand, he absentmindedly reached up and adjusted the fake ear that was his entire disguise and wondered how a born-again Christian like himself had wound up in the middle of a bank robbery." Noah Boyd 'The Bricklayer'

This actually introduces two & then two more. Expected-unexpected, repeat. The power of the words is increased as each pair is revealed.

Simple, yet Significant - "Everything has a beginning." Luis M. Rocha 'The Holy Bullet'

It is simple, octo-syllabic & packed with promise. Yes, it is a universal truth - beginning at the beginning.

Testing - "Sunday, another dictionary cuddling Sunday." Patti Struble 'Cross Words'

Shameless, I know. But, it is the demonstration of voice that I'm going for. The opening line introduces the voice that has to lead the charge.

Moody - "Something moved beneath the kitchen wallpaper." Rhodi Hawk 'A Twisted Ladder'

Ominous, maybe even a little freaky. Definitely cringe-worthy. If the wallpaper moves, something more terrible best be afoot.

Picture Frames - "Once upon a time, in a land far, far away...."

Okay, it's Shrek, but it fits. It leads the reader to an expectation of bygone days & an unexplored region of make-believe.

The list here represents only 7 possibilities. As a writer, each must find his/her own.

Happy Writing,

Patti

Vitamin 'C'

Conflict is the mechanism by which writers plunge the MC into the deep end of the pool and then continue to dunk him/her when they come up for air. Until finally, they are given the choice to sink or swim - life vest optional.

Definition (Encarta Online Dictionary):    

1. military war: warfare between opposing forces, especially a prolonged and bitter but sporadic struggle
news that the conflict had reached the outskirts of the capital
2. difference: a disagreement or clash between ideas, principles, or people
3. psychology mental struggle: a psychological state resulting from the often unconscious opposition between simultaneous but incompatible desires, needs, drives, or impulses
4. literature plot tension: opposition between or among characters or forces in a literary work that shapes or motivates the action of the plot

Novel Conflict

Internal – self; a growth arc regardless of resolution – overcoming internal hurt – Freedom by Jonathan Franzen

Relationship – others; antagonist; forces internal change in MC – The Five People You Meet in Heaven by Mitch Albom

Social – group; ideas, practices, customs – The DaVinci Code by Dan Brown

Survival – fatalism; weather, starvation, animals – Into the Wild by John Krakauer

Situation – MCs problems revolve around interests, ambitions, situations of others in direct relation to MC;  place/plot; used to grow conflict – Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen

Natural World – think plagues of Egypt – Plague War by Jeff Carlson

God – good & evil; Angels & Demons by Dan Brown

Resources:

Elizabeth Richards – Feb 20, 2008 http://www.suite101.com/content/how-to-write-conflict-a45359

Jennifer Henderson – Feb 16, 2010 http://www.suite101.com/content/writing-a-fictional-story-a202635

Leslie Wainger – October 2010 http://www.dummies.com/how-to/content/creating-emotional-conflict-and-tension-in-a-roman.html

Happy Writing,

Patti

Lost and Found in Jane Austen

Last night I had the pleasure of viewing a film titled 'Lost in Austen.' Amanda Price, modern young woman, loses herself in the world of the Bennett's. So much so, that she jeopardizes her relationships. And then, one day, Elizabeth Bennett shows up in her shower. Amanda's story unfolds as she attempts to right the wrongs her appearance in the book has caused.

Whether or not you are an Austen fan, this movie has several takeaways for writers.

Backstory - What is revealed about your characters sets the tone, the action & the motivation for them. If Mr. Darcy were an abusive drunkard, how redeemable is he? But, if he is this way due to a broken heart, we have more sympathy & he has redeemability. What if Elizabeth is a gambler? A coquette? You name it; possibilities abound.

Know the backstory of your characters. These elements reveal character, character flaws, character tics & provide the skeletal structure upon which you are building.

Detail - This movie, your basic fish-out-of-water, transports us to 1820s England, the detail is rich, multi-layered & reflective of the characters. Mr. Bennett's study, Elizabeth's bedroom, Amanda's flat. Each of these directly reflects character, attitude, emotion & their own desires. Even the clothing works to establish this without being over the top or too understated.

Understand how background noise, so to speak, affects your characters, reflects their attitudes & plays upon their ultimate motivations & goals.

Setting - This plays an important role in who characters are, how they function & the rules of the society in which they reside. Taking your characters out of their normal environment speaks directly to who they are, what they want & how they get it. For instance, placing Mr. Darcy, Mr. Bingley, Mr. Collins & Mr. Wickham on a subway in NYC together provides an introspective look at these individuals on & off the page. The alpha & the beta on both sides of the protag/antag divide. How they interact, how they react are both telling & informative.

Take your characters out of their normal surrounds & see what happens. This can provide a deeper level of character development than you could imagine.

I loved this film for its homage to Austen & for its ability to plunge us into the Bennett's lives. And, I would recommend it as a study in character, dimension & uprooting in order to get to the pulp that makes your people delectable, endearing or whatever they may be. Check it out from Netflix.

Happy Writing,

Patti