Another of Uncle Jyothi's collection and this I picked because I really needed some help with the scenes and structure. 'Structure is nothing but story material organised so its logical and dramatic sequence of scenes is linked together.' While there he gives a valuable insight into how long the novel should be - 60-90 k words. (I instantly worked on my current one which is in excess of 100k)
More stuff like how early forms were more journal types - starts at the beginning and ends at the end of a life. Now readers are generally fascinated and threatened by significant change. They want the story to start with such a change and want a story question to worry about, want the story question answered in the end, and get bored with stuff that's not about the story question.
Our self-concept is our most valuable mental and emotional possession and any significant change threatens it. Start your story when the change threatens your character's self-concept.
Your character Must have a vital goal. The character struggle will turn the goal into a story question In the end we answer the story question.
Scene is about cause and effect, stimulus and response. Stimulus must be external, response also external. For every stimulus show an immediate response.
Scene is physical. Its pattern is divided into - statement of goal/introduction and development of conflict and failure of character to reach the goal or a tactical disaster.
Begin the scene with a clear goal, build big scenes, the disaster must answer scene question and conflict has to be outside.
Goal is one which ideally had immediate results. The goal of each scene must relate to the story question. Conflict must be about the goal, with another person and must make things worse. Never allow the lead character to enter a scene lackadaisically.
The opponent states his opposition early in the scene. Give enough motivation to the opposition. Raise stakes in the scene. Never let your character relax or be comfortable in the scene.
Transitions provide direct statements to the reader that a change in time, place or viewpoint happened since last scene.
Sequel is the glue that holds scenes together and helps you to from one to the next. A sequel begins for the viewpoint character the moment a scene ends. Struck by disaster a character shows - emotion, thought, decision and then action. Add a character who will oppose.
To control pace - remove sequels, use transitions, make scenes more powerful, introduce confrontation, raise stakes.
Don't shy away from conflict, outside action.
Common errors in scenes - too many people, circular arguments, unwanted interruptions, getting off track, inadvertent summary, loss of viewpoint, forgotten scene goal, unmotivated opposition, illogical disagreement, unfair odds, not enough at stake, inadvertent red herrings, phony disasters.
Cause and effect - the principle underlying story development
1) Dramatic principle and devices - scenes move main characters only for goal, series of disasters, new sub plots, deadlines to be met
2) Weaving sub plots - 70% must be one view point
Scene and Sequel Tricks
-drop hints about antagonist knowing stuff the hero does not
- show information that your hero has faulty information about
- keep a ticking clock
- keep stakes high
He also gave this scenic master plot which I found very interesting. Twenty chapters to finish your book. Check this out. I think one can safely follow it and get a good story going.
Prologue - one scene
1 - Main character's view, major change
2. Antagonist, show him as aggressive, ruthless, motivated
3. Hero - introduce supporting characters, romance, best friend
4. Continue
5. Hero's viewpoint, disaster
6. Romantic lead
7. Confrontation with villain
8. Hero vs villain
9. Villain's viewpoint
10. Hero's viewpoint
11. Hero's viewpoint
12. Villain upper hand
13. Hero survives, gains ground
14. Other view points, romantic lead in deep trouble
15. Various viewpoints including the villains
16. Ultimate confrontation
17. Villain upper hand, moral dilemma for hero
18. Tie up loose ends
Lots of interesting and highly useful information given in exactly the way writers need because Bickham understands where writers get stuck. Written in a nice concise manner with examples. Loved it.
No comments:
Post a Comment