Mickie
Not Really Here
- Joined
- Feb 23, 2001
- Posts
- 503
Again, I've picked up some extra knowledge in my ever-moving quest to write something that will make a difference. As I learn, I like to share it with others who might be on the same kind of quest.
This one is about structure within a story, whether it be a short story or a novel.
We all know there’s a structure to writing. It’s one of those things that we feel most of the time, and pay little attention to disciphering. However, there is something called pacing. We either have it or we don’t, we think, and that’s the end of it. Here are a few tips to help when a book seems to be flat, or have very little drama in spite of a good plotline.
The last thing a reader remembers is usually what spurs them on to the next thing -- sentence, paragraph, scene or chapter. (Or sequal!
) Putting the most dramatic thing last is a good way to get the reader to keep moving forward.
Sentences -- Not all sentences can be structured this way, but once you get into the habit, you’ll start forming them without thinking about it when it’s appropriate to do so. The most important part of a sentence should come at the end. The ‘punch’ of a sentence. If you’re writing about a person who has been trying to get home for three chapters, and he finally arrives, this sentence loses it’s punch if you write it this way -- She came home, tired and irritable. -- The importance is put on being tired and irritable, rather than coming home. A much better way to write it would be -- Tired and irritable, she came home. --
Paragraphs -- again, the most important point of the paragraph should be summed up in the last sentence if possible. The previous sentences should support the ending. (Yeah, this works in debate and speeches, too!) Don’t lose the impact of a paragraph by placing the most important part of it at the beginning or in the middle. This involves reading your work, deciding what the most important aspect of each sentence is, and then each paragraph, and placing it appropriately. It’s a lot of work, but it will bring out the impact of your writing, rather than relate -- this happened, and then that, and now this is how the character responded.
Scenes-- a scene ending is important. Most people will stop at the end of scenes an regroup, or even go make dinner to come back to the book later. Do you want them to read on, or do you want them to set it aside because nothing important is happening right where they’re reading? The punch comes at the end, sort of a cliffhanger, or important point. If the point of the scene isn’t all that important, you might want to consider cutting it.
Chapters -- Cliffhangers come in handy here. They can be subtle or outrageous, but the ending of a chapter should inspire questions, even if some things have been answered. The ONLY chapter that does not leave something more to be learned is the last chapter.
To summarize -- the best place to put any point that you want emphasized is at the end. Sentences, paragraphs, scenes and chapters. Just by doing this you will arrange the pacing of a book in a better format, and you won’t lose important plot points in the middle of the forest.
Mickie
This one is about structure within a story, whether it be a short story or a novel.
We all know there’s a structure to writing. It’s one of those things that we feel most of the time, and pay little attention to disciphering. However, there is something called pacing. We either have it or we don’t, we think, and that’s the end of it. Here are a few tips to help when a book seems to be flat, or have very little drama in spite of a good plotline.
The last thing a reader remembers is usually what spurs them on to the next thing -- sentence, paragraph, scene or chapter. (Or sequal!
) Putting the most dramatic thing last is a good way to get the reader to keep moving forward. Sentences -- Not all sentences can be structured this way, but once you get into the habit, you’ll start forming them without thinking about it when it’s appropriate to do so. The most important part of a sentence should come at the end. The ‘punch’ of a sentence. If you’re writing about a person who has been trying to get home for three chapters, and he finally arrives, this sentence loses it’s punch if you write it this way -- She came home, tired and irritable. -- The importance is put on being tired and irritable, rather than coming home. A much better way to write it would be -- Tired and irritable, she came home. --
Paragraphs -- again, the most important point of the paragraph should be summed up in the last sentence if possible. The previous sentences should support the ending. (Yeah, this works in debate and speeches, too!) Don’t lose the impact of a paragraph by placing the most important part of it at the beginning or in the middle. This involves reading your work, deciding what the most important aspect of each sentence is, and then each paragraph, and placing it appropriately. It’s a lot of work, but it will bring out the impact of your writing, rather than relate -- this happened, and then that, and now this is how the character responded.
Scenes-- a scene ending is important. Most people will stop at the end of scenes an regroup, or even go make dinner to come back to the book later. Do you want them to read on, or do you want them to set it aside because nothing important is happening right where they’re reading? The punch comes at the end, sort of a cliffhanger, or important point. If the point of the scene isn’t all that important, you might want to consider cutting it.
Chapters -- Cliffhangers come in handy here. They can be subtle or outrageous, but the ending of a chapter should inspire questions, even if some things have been answered. The ONLY chapter that does not leave something more to be learned is the last chapter.
To summarize -- the best place to put any point that you want emphasized is at the end. Sentences, paragraphs, scenes and chapters. Just by doing this you will arrange the pacing of a book in a better format, and you won’t lose important plot points in the middle of the forest.
Mickie
Did you notice I paraphrased it? I always write out my own version of a good concept in order to internalize it. 
