Here's a writing question: When in a novel(la) should you stop introducing new plot points and start wrapping up the old ones?
Signed,
Should Probably Have Outlined His Novel Before He Started Blindly Typing
Looks like civilization finally caught up with us.
Mal ,'Bushwhacked'
The Great Write Way
A place for Buffistas to discuss, beta and otherwise deal and dish on their non-fan fiction projects.
Gris - Nov 02, 2004 11:43:24 am PST #7818 of 10001
Hey. New board.
lisah - Nov 02, 2004 11:46:34 am PST #7819 of 10001
Punishingly Intricate
Here's a writing question: When in a novel(la) should you stop introducing new plot points and start wrapping up the old ones?
Nov 30th.
dcp - Nov 02, 2004 11:49:36 am PST #7820 of 10001
The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know.
I think it goes: new plot points in the middle are "twists," new plot points towards the end are "asspulls."
victor infante - Nov 02, 2004 11:54:32 am PST #7821 of 10001
To understand what happened at the diner, we shall use Mr. Papaya! This is upsetting because he's the friendliest of fruits.
I think it goes: new plot points in the middle are "twists," new plot points towards the end are "asspulls."
Unless, of course, you've been clever and foreshadowed it all along when the reader wasn't paying attention.
Polter-Cow - Nov 02, 2004 11:56:27 am PST #7822 of 10001
What else besides ramen can you scoop? YOU CAN SCOOP THIS WORLD FROM DARKNESS!
Unless, of course, you've been clever and foreshadowed it all along when the reader wasn't paying attention.
See: J.K. Rowling.
dcp - Nov 02, 2004 12:00:57 pm PST #7823 of 10001
The more I learn, the more I realize how little I know.
you've been clever and foreshadowed it all along
That happens in the 2nd draft...and sometimes in the galley proofs.
Nutty - Nov 02, 2004 12:05:12 pm PST #7824 of 10001
"Mister Spock is on his fanny, sir. Reports heavy damage."
On the ladder front:
Ed doesn't like heights. I love power tools. The gutter on Ed's house is flapping in a pleasant summer sea-breeze. As am I, standing 15 feet up on an adjustable aluminum ladder.
It's sunny and above and behind me jets are screaming around an airshow ten miles off. The grass is short and I have clumsy irrelevant bruises on my knees and I rest my tools on roof shingles with all the casual competence I can muster. Steel screws, longer than my hand, and their plastic casings in my back pocket.
I climb down and we move 8 feet to the left, to the next set of holes.
"We'll need to go back and tighten them all," says Ed.
"I'm glad you're not doing this by yourself," I say.
I climb up the ladder again, lugging the power-driver, chuckling to myself.
victor infante - Nov 02, 2004 12:09:56 pm PST #7825 of 10001
To understand what happened at the diner, we shall use Mr. Papaya! This is upsetting because he's the friendliest of fruits.
Ed doesn't like heights. I love power tools. The gutter on Ed's house is flapping in a pleasant summer sea-breeze. As am I, standing 15 feet up on an adjustable aluminum ladder.
This is the woman who pushed my father-in-law out of the way to put a desk together.
Have I mentioned just how wicked cool Nutty is?
Consuela - Nov 02, 2004 1:27:07 pm PST #7826 of 10001
We are Buffistas. This isn't our first apocalypse. -- Pix
I have clumsy irrelevant bruises on my knees
I love that line right there. Clumsy irrelevant bruises. I have those too, I think.
Deena - Nov 03, 2004 4:22:30 am PST #7827 of 10001
How are you me? You need to stop that. Only I can be me. ~Kara
That is an amazing line. I know that chuckle.