TECH: The E in MICE is EVENT!

[mbarker]

Original posting 2021/10/1

So, over at https://writingexcuses.com/2021/09/26/16-39-deep-dive-into-event/ this week, they took a look at the fourth element in the M.I.C.E. Quotient, E for event. Event stories focus on disruptions of the status quo, externally driven conflicts. Start with something that upsets the status quo, and finish with either a restoration of the old or establishing a new status quo. Obstacles are when every action seems to push the status quo further out of whack, while complications are opening up different problems. Remember that while big events may be attractive, small events and sequences of events and consequences are interesting too.

So, milieu, inquiry, character, and event. Going into and getting out of a place, asking and answering questions, the journey of self-discovery around "who am I?", and last, but not least, external changes a.k.a. events. Most stories involve more than one of these, although the emphasis is often on one of them. There also is a nesting to them, so the hero goes into a strange place, where he encounters various events and has to deal with them, or perhaps struggles with their identity or even looks for the answers to various questions, and eventually gets out of that strange place again. Or perhaps your detective is trying to find out who done it, and has to deal with various and sundry events along the way? There are certainly various ways to mix the four elements together in your stories.

Does anyone use this framework for your stories? Perhaps in outlining, or in revision? Maybe as a guideline while happily cranking out the words?