CONTEST: Tying off the Loose Ends

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Original posting 3 August 2009

I think there are clearly still some pieces missing in Jim Butcher's postings about writing at http://jimbutcher.livejournal.com/ but the next big piece he describes is the climax. This is where you answer the story question. You've tied the tension up, established the stakes, got the reader sympathizing with the protagonist -- now you've got to finish it off. Butcher suggests thinking about those lines of dominoes -- the beginning of your story dumps dominoes all over the place, the middle sets them up in a line, and the climax... that's where they all get knocked down again, click click click crash!

He also lists the following points about a climax:

• isolation. Fairly often the protagonist stands alone at this point.
• confrontation. The protagonist is facing the antagonist.
• dark moment. This is often where the confrontation and conflicts have failed, so it looks bad for the protagonist. He's on the ropes, or even down on the canvas.
• choice. The protagonist chooses at this point and it's hard. Giving up is easy. Getting up and facing that guy that has already beat him twice...
• dramatic reversal. You don't have to do this. However, in many cases the nature of the story or something about the protagonist's character causes an unexpected change. Make sure this has been foreshadowed.
• resolution. The climax usually causes a return to balance, to normal life. There are changes, but this is the "and they lived happily ever after..." point. There's often a demonstration, something that shows that the protagonist has won and is going on.

OK. So in our quest, the protagonist has been looking for the Maltese Falcon, and is running into trouble. The bad guys look like they're going to get there first, they're going to win the auction, or whatever. And then...

This is where the magical or supernatural element gets to help. The protagonist pulls the card out of his wallet and calls the FBI, who drag the bad guys away... or whatever. Something happens, and the protagonist wins.

Remember, we're writing a quest story. First ten stories or the end of August marks the end of the contest. So get those words down. Only... four weeks to go? 28 days more or less depending on time zones and whatnot.

tink

The Contest!

In a Nutshell: Write a Quest Story. Submit it to the list. YEAH!

At lengthy...

1. Write a story. Here is the topic:

From What If? By Anne Bernays and Pamela Painter?

Write a linear story, in which a strong main character is on a quest for something important and specific (e.g., a shelter for the baby, medicine for a sick mother, or the key to the storehouse where a tyrant has locked away all the grain from a starving populace). The object is a given -- don't explain its importance. The main character starts acting immediately. She then meets a (specific) obstacle; finally she triumphs over the obstacle by means of a magic or supernatural element that comes from the outside (like Dorothy's red shoes in the Wizard of Oz). You may introduce minor characters but the narrative should never abandon your main character. This story should be told through action and dialogue.

In Checklist Format:
1. main character is on a quest for something important and specific
2. Start with action
3. Have them meet at least one specific obstacle
4. Have them triumph over the obstacle by means of a magic or supernatural element that comes from outside
5. Focus on the main character
6. Action and dialogue

When? Write NOW. But the quota is -- first ten stories posted makes a contest! Or the end of August (when we will start preparing for the big Halloween Contest, right?)

How long? How many? As long as you need, and as many as...

Crits? Yes, please critique/comment on the stories.

And yes, when we have a pile of stories and crits, we shall vote and pick winners!

So, get on your keyboards, pencils, or other writing implements, and write!