I love writing contests for unpublished authors. I got my own start with a writing contest, and I believe there is nothing better for a new author than entering a contest to see if they have what it takes to write a story. (by the way, here’s a shameless plug for our own contest, the Fraiser!) The feedback can be essential to helping an author strengthen and add shine to their story.
The problem with these contests, however is that an author can have a fantastic opening chapter, honing and crafting it to compelling brilliance….
And still have the book fall apart after that.
Why does this happen? Because it’s easy to get excited about the beginning of a story – but maintaining the momentum to the end is challenging. In our Extreme Book Makeover seires, we’re headed into ACT 2 – how to keep the middle from muddling. But the key to keep Act 2 momentum going starts with a look at the END…and hinting at it in the beginning.
Start with the End in Mind.
We had a great webinar last week about creating First Chapters, and I taught a technique that helps authors look at the end of the first chapter to know how to craft the beginning. By knowing what you want to accomplish, it helps you figure out what elements to put into the first chapter (If you missed our show, or would like to see it again, here is the replay link: Learn to write a riveting first chapter!).
The same principle applies to the story arc. Knowing the end of your story – and most specifically, the Black Moment Event, the Epiphany and Finale (or the Final Batte, aka, what your character can do at the end that he can’t at the beginning) allows you to set up the beginning elements.
Let’s take it apart.
The Black Moment Event is derived from knowing your character’s Greatest Fear (something you find as you explore your character’s Dark Moment). By recreating some element of your character’s GF during the Black Moment event, you set up the Epiphany for the character, then the change and the grand finale.
Hinting at the Greatest Fear in the beginning of the book helps the author build the tension in the story as the character tries to keep the Black Moment from happening.
One of the best uses I’ve seen of this technique is in a Bruce Willis film, the hostage, about a police negotiator whose’ greatest fear is not negotiating well and causing the death of someone. This happens in the beginning of the movie, causing him to quit his job…but the fear lingers until the end when his own son is taken and he has to negotiate his son’s release.
Knowing the GF, and the ending, allows the author to craft that powerful beginning, setting up the fear.
In the Patriot, Benjamin Martin fears that his past will revisit him and that the price will be greater than he can bear. We see that fear in the beginning when his son, Thomas, finds his battle axe. Later, Gabriel (as well as Thomas) is killed and destroys him.
Knowing what Benjamin Martin’s black Moment is helps craft that fear in the beginning.
Try it with your own story – what is your character’s Greatest Fear, expressed in the Black Moment that will occur in Act 3? Now, how can you hint about it in Act 1?
You’ll use it in Act 2 as a catalyst for your character to make decisions that keep him from repeating that fear, even as he gets closer to it. (a great way to add tension!)
We’ll continue with our Extreme Book Makeover of ACT 2 next week with a chat about widening the plot to add more stakes and tension to your story.
Go! Write something Brilliant!
Susie May
PS – 3 weeks until the FRASIER CONTEST deadline! Check out the details HERE.
PPS – Writing a Romance? Check out our Kiss and Tell Romance Seminar, in Memphis, TN, April 25-27!