One of the struggles I see with many writers – and even myself – is the rush to the climatic parts of the story. They see the drama of the big pieces and want to get there immediately to wow the reader. However, the problem is when we don’t give the drama resonance – when we don’t show the progression of emotions leading up to it, and the significance of the drama, we miss out on the punch. I always advise clients to take their time, to feel the nuances of the scene and allow the reader to, also.
However, sometimes it can feel like eating an elephant. You have so far to go, and today you’reworking on a toenail. (okay, yuck. Maybe I should find another analogy). What about a birthday cake? The kind with the nummy flowers in the middle? What if you dove into the middle and only at the flowers? You would destroy the cake. You want to build up to the flowers…or maybe it’s like a five course meal, each piece of the meal whetting your palate for the next. (apparently, I’m hungry today!) At any rate…you have to devour this chapter before you can move onto the next. Don’t destroy the deliciousness of your drama by feeding it to the reader too quickly.
I’m nearly at a big suspense element in the story – whenKenzie and Luke return home to find a dead skunk pinned to their door – anominous warning that someone is after them. But, I need to work on a few emotional threads first to make that drama powerful. So,I’m going to take my time developing Kenzie’s scene…and work up to thatmoment. I’ll start by interviewing Kenzie after the last chapter:
1. What did you think about what just happened?
Luke is acting very strangely. I’m not sure why he doesn’t want to go to the muster..and now that we’re here (and I’m an extra) he’s especially stand-offish. I know that he’s frustrated with what happened last night – but I don’t really think we are in and danger and he simply needs to calm down. I am safe here – no one is going to find me,and frankly, I think he might be just running from his feelings.
2. What are your choices?
I can either take it personally, or try and be patient. But I’m a fixer, a helper and I can’t bear to see him suffering – so I’m going to try and get himto come out of his shell. Unfortunately,when I volunteer him to take a place in the muster, he gets angry.
3. What will you do next, and why?
I will make friends withRuthann, and also follow after him (maybe in his truck?) However, when he’s rejecting me like this, I feel I can’t be a part of his life…and really it’s a wake up call to the truth–we don’t belong together.
4. What is the one thing you fear happening?
That he is right – someone is after me. And that somehow I’ve caused hishorrible memories to resurface.
5. And, if it’s a romance –how do you feel about this person? What is the one thing you fear happening emotionally?
I can’t fall for him – mylife is not here.
6. Where are you spiritually? (new question – to bring in the spiritual thread!)
As I listen to the prayers of the preachers, praying for safety, I realize that so many of these men were facing their deaths. What mark did they make on life? They freed a nation – that wastheir mark. But what is her mark? She sees her life as empty – and decides that maybe she’ll give up acting.
As I break the scene down, here are my goals:
Action Objective: I need Kenzie to find the envelope…and realize she needs to leave. Shortly thereafter, she and Luke need to come home, find the skunk on the door and realize someone is after them.
Romance Thread: I need her to see that she has feelings for Luke, and that he has so many qualities of a man she wants.
Suspense Thread: Ramp up the idea that there is someone after her – or him.
Lie Journey: She has to believe that she offers nothing to the world- not like the musterers. She sees her life as empty.
Character Change: She decides that maybe she needs to give up acting and become a normal person. A producer, maybe…or what if she simply got out of the movie business and became a wife and mother like Ruthann?
Stakes – she likes play acting – but the role she is really playing is one she wants to adopt – small town girl in love with Luke. She doesn’t want to go home – she likes the anonymity of starting over.
Heroine ID – she likes playing the role of towns person,fitting in. She likes Ruthann, too. It’s been a long time since she’s had a real friend.
Anchoring – Sunny day, smell of spring in the air, afresh start, and Luke is the only thundercloud.
Run – Just finishing the muster, a picnic laid out, and Trevor playing with Luke. Ruthann tells the story of what happened when he came back. How, it’s the first time she’s seen Luke playing.
Problem – They are all pretending? She doesn’t belong here? And the first line?
Kenzie embraced her role as Southern Frontierswoman.
See how I did HERE.Chapter 8 – Kenzie
And next week, we’ll move into the final part of Act 2, towards the Black Moment!
Have a great writing week!
Susie May 