Star with the end?

[slyc_willie]

No, this isn't about anal sex.

I've had this idea for a while, one, strangely enough, inspired by a comic book miniseries I once read. Essentially, I'd like to write a story that starts at the end, then goes back toward the beginning.

I envision a series of stories posted on Lit, the first chapter of which is actually the final chapter. To have the best impact, I'll probably go with Erotic Horror. To make it really work, I'd have to write the whole thing out, chop it up, then post the chapters in reverse order. I'd have to include references in the chapters that indicate events that have already happened as far as the story is concerned, but which the readers have not yet seen.

So, your thoughts on how well this might go over? How could I best write the story to hook the readers from chapter to chapter?

 

[voluptuary_manque]

Can't help you, Slyc. I simply don't do Erotic Horror. Been scared for real about one time too often, I guess.

 

[DeeZire]

There was a movie like that, but I don't recall the name. It was interesting, and rather sad, watching how the characters ended up in the dire predicament that opened the movie.

 

[jomar]

No, this isn't about anal sex.

I've had this idea for a while, one, strangely enough, inspired by a comic book miniseries I once read. Essentially, I'd like to write a story that starts at the end, then goes back toward the beginning.

I envision a series of stories posted on Lit, the first chapter of which is actually the final chapter. To have the best impact, I'll probably go with Erotic Horror. To make it really work, I'd have to write the whole thing out, chop it up, then post the chapters in reverse order. I'd have to include references in the chapters that indicate events that have already happened as far as the story is concerned, but which the readers have not yet seen.

So, your thoughts on how well this might go over? How could I best write the story to hook the readers from chapter to chapter?

Hmm. Could be cool. Seems like I read a book somewhat recently that did this. I'll try to dredge it up.

 

[slyc_willie]

There was a movie like that, but I don't recall the name. It was interesting, and rather sad, watching how the characters ended up in the dire predicament that opened the movie.

Hmm. Could be cool. Seems like I read a book somewhat recently that did this. I'll try to dredge it up.

Yeah, I know it's been done. Not shooting for originality, yaknow

I just got this scene stuck in my head. Woman going to a funeral for a friend or lover, and she's thinking back about how they met. But the real trick is to give the reader something to look forward to reading, since they've already read the climax.

 

[fieryjen]

There was a movie like that, but I don't recall the name. It was interesting, and rather sad, watching how the characters ended up in the dire predicament that opened the movie.

Memento.

 

[starrkers]

Could be a lot of fun - could be a real PITA to get it to work too
You're sorta gonna needa reverse cliffhanger - not "how do they get out of that" but "what the hell happened that they wound up in this mess?"

 

[slyc_willie]

Could be a lot of fun - could be a real PITA to get it to work too
You're sorta gonna needa reverse cliffhanger - not "how do they get out of that" but "what the hell happened that they wound up in this mess?"

Yeah, that's the real challenge . . . .

I have my ideas, but I don't wanna spoil the eventual story

 

[jomar]

Yeah, I know it's been done. Not shooting for originality, yaknow

I just got this scene stuck in my head. Woman going to a funeral for a friend or lover, and she's thinking back about how they met. But the real trick is to give the reader something to look forward to reading, since they've already read the climax.

I know. But if I can remember the name skimming through it might give you more ideas on structure.

 

[Stella_Omega]

And here I thought you were looking for me!


I think it's an idea you could pull off, for sure

 

[Guest]

...............

 

[Gizzmotick]

No, this isn't about anal sex.

I've had this idea for a while, one, strangely enough, inspired by a comic book miniseries I once read. Essentially, I'd like to write a story that starts at the end, then goes back toward the beginning.

I envision a series of stories posted on Lit, the first chapter of which is actually the final chapter. To have the best impact, I'll probably go with Erotic Horror. To make it really work, I'd have to write the whole thing out, chop it up, then post the chapters in reverse order. I'd have to include references in the chapters that indicate events that have already happened as far as the story is concerned, but which the readers have not yet seen.

So, your thoughts on how well this might go over? How could I best write the story to hook the readers from chapter to chapter?

you may want to write it from a memory point of view, where the main character is dreaming per se - or relating something to someone... and flashing through all the various "chapters" as the story progresses.

 

[jomar]

Still racking my brain. I think the author went back in time to the beginning using day/date/times for chapter/section headings. Man, it's bugging me I can't think of it. Arrgh.

 

[MarshAlien]

It reminds me (sort of) of The Day of the Jackal. You knew all the way through that he wasn't going to kill DeGaulle, but you still kept reading because the story was just so compelling.

So just write like that.

 

[neonlyte]

Still racking my brain. I think the author went back in time to the beginning using day/date/times for chapter/section headings. Man, it's bugging me I can't think of it. Arrgh.

You're not thinking of Cloud Atlas?

That stopped mid sentence and began with a new/same story set on a different time plane.

 

[jomar]

You're not thinking of Cloud Atlas?

That stopped mid sentence and began with a new/same story set on a different time plane.

No. It sounds interesting though.

 

[Caitano]

Still racking my brain. I think the author went back in time to the beginning using day/date/times for chapter/section headings. Man, it's bugging me I can't think of it. Arrgh.

Chuck Palahniuk wrote one with the page numbers counting down to page one.

 

[jomar]

Chuck Palahniuk wrote one with the page numbers counting down to page one.

His name came to my mind, but I've only read Rant and Haunted. The one you're referring to is Survivor, which I want to read. No, it's something by a different author. Thanks, though.

 

[only_more_so]

No, this isn't about anal sex.

I've had this idea for a while, one, strangely enough, inspired by a comic book miniseries I once read. Essentially, I'd like to write a story that starts at the end, then goes back toward the beginning.

I envision a series of stories posted on Lit, the first chapter of which is actually the final chapter. To have the best impact, I'll probably go with Erotic Horror. To make it really work, I'd have to write the whole thing out, chop it up, then post the chapters in reverse order. I'd have to include references in the chapters that indicate events that have already happened as far as the story is concerned, but which the readers have not yet seen.

So, your thoughts on how well this might go over? How could I best write the story to hook the readers from chapter to chapter?

For some reason what immediately came to mind was Frankenstein, the book. Although it was really a nested story, with each successive story teller telling about what had happened to him. So each time a narrator takes over, you jump back in time. Of course, at the end you climb back out

 

[slyc_willie]

And here I thought you were looking for me!


I think it's an idea you could pull off, for sure

I appreciate the vote of confidence

Sounds like a intriguing story set-up, although, what's the Erotic Horror element?

Please don't let it be "Memento"-esque. I hated that movie. It's was so aggravating.

I don't plan on doing it like Memento. The reason I picked Erotic Horror originally was because I envisioned something either supernatural, or something involving murder. Sort of like Fatal Attraction, in a way. I'm still a little fuzzy on the particulars.

you may want to write it from a memory point of view, where the main character is dreaming per se - or relating something to someone... and flashing through all the various "chapters" as the story progresses.

No offense, bu that's the last thing I want to do. I don't want it to be a memory trip. I'm going to write the story in normal linear style, just reverse the order of chapters.

For some reason what immediately came to mind was Frankenstein, the book. Although it was really a nested story, with each successive story teller telling about what had happened to him. So each time a narrator takes over, you jump back in time. Of course, at the end you climb back out

Hmm. Something like that, maybe. But when the reader opens Chapter One, I want them to know that they are reading the end of the story. Everything that happens in each succeeding chapter preceeds the events of the previous.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

The novel I started (I posted the first chapter somewhere in here...) was going to be in alternating chapters. 1, 3, 2, 5, 4, 7, 6, etcetera. It would be very suspenseful if I could ever get the specifics of the story worked out in my head.

 

[slyc_willie]

The novel I started (I posted the first chapter somewhere in here...) was going to be in alternating chapters. 1, 3, 2, 5, 4, 7, 6, etcetera. It would be very suspenseful if I could ever get the specifics of the story worked out in my head.

I once had an idea for a story like that, but figured it would be too jumbled for some -- or most -- readers. if it was pulled off, it would be brilliant. Kudos, Thee.

 

[TheeGoatPig]

I once had an idea for a story like that, but figured it would be too jumbled for some -- or most -- readers. if it was pulled off, it would be brilliant. Kudos, Thee.

If I pulled it off it would make a great movie. Chain Reaction meets Bourne Identity and The Hunted.

Maybe I should find someone to co-author it with?