Yuppers my peoples. We are still on the journey through Take Off Your Pants! by Libbie Hawker. Now, Ms. Hawker pointed out in our new chapter that the best stories she ever read were build the same. The inverted-triangle design. Not only that but each chapter appear to mimic the same image. That was when she realized that a compelling story was build with a series of these triangles nested together.
It follows the broad, flexible opening scenes that leads to the squeeze, and then pushes the character or story to the triangle’s mini climax- only to spill over into the next chapter and triangle. Ms. Hawker believed she had a breakthrough in creative writing until she found John Trudy’s book, The Anatomy of Story: 22 Steps to Becoming a Master Storyteller. She benefitted from the wisdom within the covers. No worries, friends! I just ordered it. We may take a peek behind the cover. Thoughts?
Hi. Good morning…or afternoon or whatever time it is for you. I am finally getting back to my world of not normal. I apologize for this post being late. I must say my pain level peaked a bit over the weekend. Aleve and I became really good friends. Being old is one thing but being broken is a totally different level. Enough about me. What do you think of me? Argh- such an old joke. But so am I. LOL
Are you all settling into our new year, new decade? This will be the first week of 5 full days of work for the Hubs and let’s just say…not thrilled. He will survive. How about you? Are you ready for your week? Let’s have some fun. Run along and find your copy of our book, fill your cuppa and snag a nibble if you so choose. I am sipping coffee and eating an apple and walnuts. Healthy? Don’t really care. LOL Strap in sweeties and let’s do this.
We are gonna back track a bit. Feel free to look back at prior posts to follow along. We know the Story Core (the five-step sequence of central events) is the true heart of your book. We will begin to understand why Ms. Hawker believes this to be true. The core is responsible for the triangle shape and pacing of our tale. To keep your story strong, each chapter should have this same general pattern.
- In the beginning, your character has options. He/she is then faced with an obstacle or distraction.
- Mid-way through the chapter, your MC needs to want something specific and set his eyes on the prize. It can be related to the big picture or something small to get to the big picture. Needs to make a milk run to the store.
- Opposition- at some point your MC must but heads with something standing in their way. Now, this doesn’t have to be the end all be all opponent. It can be something simple like a flat tire.
- Struggle- the Golden Carrot isn’t coming easy. There are small successes or even failures. Fix the flat or damaged rim.
These patterns can apply to scenes within each chapter. Each chapter needs a beginning, middle, and end. Why not make them a strong independent story in themselves? The chapters have an external goal. Each chapter is a collection of events for your MC and other characters to move in the direction of the Golden Carrot. By achieving the goal of the chapter, it moves them one step closer to the external goal. Kinda sounds like a board game.
Roll the dice. Move forward or backward based on the space you landed on…
Polish your sparkle and keep twirling.
Find joy. Be joy. Enjoy.
I’m always looking for new friends!
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