I just finished reading The Geography of Bliss; One Grump's Search for the Happiest Places in the World by Eric Weiner. Yes, it's a non-fiction book but because it borders on a memoir thus makes an interesting study for a compulsive plot consultant such as myself.Selected as One of the Best Books of the Year by the Washington Post Book World, The Geography of Bliss is called a travelogue by the Atlantic Journal-Constitution, travel tales by Publishers Weekly (in a starred review). However, most …
How Much Plot is Too Much Plot?
Question: I know the entire story. I'm just not sure how much to tell.Answer:Tell only the parts that show more about: 1) the character emotional development -- this info should come in stages, revealing deeper and deeper layers, the deeper and deeper the reader reads2) the theme -- as the plot advances, the thematic significance of the story deepens3) the dramatic action -- action becomes dramatic when filled with conflict, tension, suspense, and / or curiosity -- the sense of threat is both …
Meaning of the Crisis & Climax Cont.
Continued from 8/22 blog post: One of the most gratifying aspects of reading and going to the theater is the experience of living someone else's life (meaning to enter into the protagonist's skin) and surviving a Crisis. Stories give us the idea that we, too, can survive the dark night of the soul and know that moment when consciousness slays the ego. Suspense builds as we read or watch for what the character does next. When we, in real life, get hit with a Crisis, we can either accept what is …
Plot Question & Answer; Meaning of the Crisis
(NOTE: I often use this forum -- the Plot Whisperer -- to answer questions I receive from writers I've worked with. I know each writer's entire story and, since I do not believe in divulging writers' plots, I change the writer's question about her own specific story to the universal.QUESTION:At the Crisis point [between the protagonist and her father]... does she need to confront him any further at that point? Later in the Climax, [she shows -- in action -- the transformative power of her …
Fall Line-up; Writers to Watch, Their Books to Read
WRITERS TO WATCH (books with a Fall 2009 release date by authors who have credited my plot support as helpful to their publishing success): Sounds Like Crazy by Shana Mahaffey (Penguin) Love in Translation by Wendy Nelson Tokunaga (St. Martin's) The House by Anjuelle Floyd (Neptune Publications) The Lodge by David Brandin (iU -- Editor's Choice Award) (If I neglected to mention your book, please let me know and I'll add you to the list.) …
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