The Plot Thickens: 8 Ways to Bring Fiction to Life [NOOK Book]

Far more than a writer's tool¿.

How does a writer turn an idea into a plot? How many brilliant flashes of inspiration lead to books, movies, or plays? Not many because ideas wither away without great characters and events that drive the story forward. He uses many examples from film because this is the media where life is visualized for the audience, and his "chief concern is illustrating (sometimes abstract) points." (Lukeman) An example: * A young man is unhappy and feels trapped in his rural life. * He hungers for adventure. * He is inducted into thrilling adventures by chance. * He is part of a mystical adventure, for which he is unprepared. * Circumstances force him to face his inadequacies. * He gains friends and companions along the way. * Ultimately he finds the confidence he needs to succeed. * He saves the realm. The ideas belongs to many stories from Lord of the Rings to Harry Potter to Star Wars, and more. The magic of each story is wrapped into the characters and the lives they live; they are real. Each chapter and the introduction are deeper than I can show in a review. The book should be on every writer's desk. Both chapters one (Characterization: The Outer Life) and two (Characterization: The Inner Life) are 90% questions. By taking time to write the questions and answer them, they become part of a writer's arsenal. Chapter Three -- Applied Characterization discusses whether the character is major or minor, the frequency s/he appears, entrances and exits, and more. "Plot does not magically appear with the creation of a character; Frankenstein's monster might open his eyes, but until he gets up from the table and does something, there is little basis for a plot." (NL) Chapter Four -- The Journey takes us on an emotional or mental experience (not necessarily a trip) that brings about change. Simple and familiar examples are Star Wars, Saving Private Ryan, The Bourne Identity, Speed, Cujo, Carrie, etc. Chapter Five -- Suspense, "more than any other element, affects the immediate, short-term experience of the work." (NL) What is the destination, why is it significant, and what obstacles stand in the way? Chapter Six -- Conflict causes changes; they can be obvious (court, sports, or battle scenes, etc.) or subtle. No matter what the conflict is, it must exist on multiple levels because people, therefore characters, are complex. Chapter Seven -- Context "influences suspense, conflict, pacing, progression, and ultimately meaning." (NL) A writer or editor must keep the entire work in mind, and gauge the overall impression of each element in the creation of the story -- does it work? Chapter Eight -- Transcendency taps "¿ into the universal, timeless truths and facets of the human condition." (NL) The examples are clear and powerful. The book is profound and all of Noah Lukeman's books should be required reading.

No text was provided for this review.

No text was provided for this review.