Mad Lews
07-02-2008, 04:33 PM
OK, You didn't want to miss this one, did you?
Perhaps just one more exercise in literary flexibility before we dig into the heart of the writing.
For our next trick we'll try this simple task.
We start out with an ending, a nice summation. I’m picturing something like a coroner’s inquest report, a trial summation, an administrative report, the final wrap up of an investigation. You can chose one or come up with something else like that. I suspect you want to go with the dramatic to capture your reader’s interest.
Write it out, lay out the evidence, use logic to guide your reader to the inevitable conclusion of your report /inquest /investigation. This is your opening chapter try for around 1000-1500 word count be detailed and credible without being long winded.
Next, go back in time to the real beginning of the story. You are now going to slowly twist that story away from the obvious conclusion of the report you opened with. Be slow, meticulous, and persuasive, account for every bit of evidence that drew the authorities to the wrong conclusion. The reader should slowly realize that things are not what they seem. Try to make it a journey of discovery for the reader, throwing in some ‘Hey yeah, that’s what must have really happened.’ moments. It’s important for the reader to think they are the ones figuring this out.
Then you simply finish up with a repetition of the first chapter; WORD FOR WORD, only now your audience will read with clearer insight and mutter "How can they be so foolish?" at the end. (Other characters can be in on it too if that helps your story).
Your point of view is third person present throughout. It will end up being a present tense presentation then a longish (third person) flashback followed by a repeat of the original presentation. What you do with this is up to you; feel free to use any characters you wish. Turn a suicide into a murder, an accident into a well planned plot of vengeance, justice into a terrible miscarriage or just the opposite. I think I’m leaving you a lot of leeway here so take your time and surprise us.
yours
Mad Lews
Perhaps just one more exercise in literary flexibility before we dig into the heart of the writing.
For our next trick we'll try this simple task.
We start out with an ending, a nice summation. I’m picturing something like a coroner’s inquest report, a trial summation, an administrative report, the final wrap up of an investigation. You can chose one or come up with something else like that. I suspect you want to go with the dramatic to capture your reader’s interest.
Write it out, lay out the evidence, use logic to guide your reader to the inevitable conclusion of your report /inquest /investigation. This is your opening chapter try for around 1000-1500 word count be detailed and credible without being long winded.
Next, go back in time to the real beginning of the story. You are now going to slowly twist that story away from the obvious conclusion of the report you opened with. Be slow, meticulous, and persuasive, account for every bit of evidence that drew the authorities to the wrong conclusion. The reader should slowly realize that things are not what they seem. Try to make it a journey of discovery for the reader, throwing in some ‘Hey yeah, that’s what must have really happened.’ moments. It’s important for the reader to think they are the ones figuring this out.
Then you simply finish up with a repetition of the first chapter; WORD FOR WORD, only now your audience will read with clearer insight and mutter "How can they be so foolish?" at the end. (Other characters can be in on it too if that helps your story).
Your point of view is third person present throughout. It will end up being a present tense presentation then a longish (third person) flashback followed by a repeat of the original presentation. What you do with this is up to you; feel free to use any characters you wish. Turn a suicide into a murder, an accident into a well planned plot of vengeance, justice into a terrible miscarriage or just the opposite. I think I’m leaving you a lot of leeway here so take your time and surprise us.
yours
Mad Lews