I'd like to pose a question today. What makes a good story? That's in anything, really. I may be a writer of novels but for simplicity sake I'm talking movies, TV, anything. What keeps the audience attention and drives the story forward?
Is it characters, plot, pacing? Answer: All of the above.
As I write this there is a Harry Potter Marathon on (you may have heard of it!) What I've come to find out about this series of movies is that there is ALWAYS something happening. It goes from one scene to the next, BOOM BOOM BOOM to keep the plot moving and keep you involved. Also, each scene deliberately sets up the next and alternately links the overall theme of the plot.
That, to me, is the perfect mix. But I write thrillers so I like a fast, keep you on your toes pace. Some of you might have a different take. Maybe some of you like a mystery that slowly unravels. Or a romance that has its ups and downs.
I'm all for those too. Point is there is variety for everyone.
Why I'm writing this particular blog today is because I'm having an issue with one of my new novels. It seems too slow, but maybe it is just too slow for me. I may be trying too hard (I tend to do that) but something is off so I've done something I have never done before. I started a second novel before I even finished writing the first.
There are so many things that could go wrong with that. But I just can't tear myself away from the first one and the second one is pulling at my mind daily insisting I write it. Ideally I would just dive into the second one and leave the first to get back to. But I'm trying something new.
I like to break the rules.
The point I'm trying to make is that this newest venture I just started is flowing out of my fingertips and mind faster than I can keep up.
So what makes the one story move along so easily and the other needs to be broken down into an outline and specifically plotted?
It is a strange business of creation but not one I'd ever trade.
So I ask you, what keeps the pages turning or your eyes glued to the set?
Is it characters, plot, pacing? Answer: All of the above.
As I write this there is a Harry Potter Marathon on (you may have heard of it!) What I've come to find out about this series of movies is that there is ALWAYS something happening. It goes from one scene to the next, BOOM BOOM BOOM to keep the plot moving and keep you involved. Also, each scene deliberately sets up the next and alternately links the overall theme of the plot.
That, to me, is the perfect mix. But I write thrillers so I like a fast, keep you on your toes pace. Some of you might have a different take. Maybe some of you like a mystery that slowly unravels. Or a romance that has its ups and downs.
I'm all for those too. Point is there is variety for everyone.
Why I'm writing this particular blog today is because I'm having an issue with one of my new novels. It seems too slow, but maybe it is just too slow for me. I may be trying too hard (I tend to do that) but something is off so I've done something I have never done before. I started a second novel before I even finished writing the first.
There are so many things that could go wrong with that. But I just can't tear myself away from the first one and the second one is pulling at my mind daily insisting I write it. Ideally I would just dive into the second one and leave the first to get back to. But I'm trying something new.
I like to break the rules.
The point I'm trying to make is that this newest venture I just started is flowing out of my fingertips and mind faster than I can keep up.
So what makes the one story move along so easily and the other needs to be broken down into an outline and specifically plotted?
It is a strange business of creation but not one I'd ever trade.
What keeps my eyes glued to the set (or computer monitor)? Action. The story moves with action... The less dialogue the better (for movies). I blog a lot about this on my blog. Each scene should contain a goal, an action, and a complication. The complication at the end of the scene is what creates the drama. There should also be a revelation in there somewhere.
ReplyDelete--Lara
www.yourplotthickens.com
Descriptiveness always keeps my eyes glued to the pages. I love reading descriptive sentences and paragraphs: the more description, the better I say! I understand that with more description, there is always the tendency to lose the reader to a plethora of words; however, when the plethora of words is describing action - that is the kick for me. I don't like reading (or watching, for that matter) books that move too quickly. I like to become fully immersed in the stories I read (or movies I watch).
ReplyDeleteThanks to both, good insights.
ReplyDeleteTo me that mean character driven. Good engaging character with witty banter, and enough action to draw me through the story.
ReplyDeleteAgreed Janice. I love well developed characters with lots of depth.
ReplyDelete