Get The Party Started

When I started the Friday Faves a while back, it was because I wanted to highlight different blog posts that made me go "hmmmm" when it came to writing techniques/craft/inspiration.  It was never meant to be "thou shalt write thusly" advice. 

There are so many ways to write, and part of the writing journey is discovering what works for us individually. I have a certain core way I write things, but I've found it also zigs and zags with each book, to take into account those characters' needs, as well as the requirements of that particular story. We're all heading for "The End", but there are a kabillion ways to reach that destination. 

And, to make things even more challenging, sometimes the writing process seems to have some artificial intelligence built in.  The smarter WE get about the whole thing, the more it appears to adapt so it is always one step ahead of our skill set.  It feels like studying for a test we'll never take, because the next book will require us to learn skills we don't possess yet.

The bottom line about any advice. . .take what you need, toss out the rest, and never feel like you have to conform to anybody's methods but your own.

 Okay, now that we've gotten that out of the way, let's talk about pacing.

One suggestion for controlling this in your story is "Enter Late, Leave Early".  Robert Gregory Browne says on his blog, Casting the Bones, that this is an old screenwriting trick:

"When writing a scene, rather than start at the 'beginning', try entering the scene late — coming in after events are already in motion.  Then make sure you get out of there before said events have concluded."

I could swear on the lives of my characters that I read in his post to think of your scene as a party.  I've re-read his post several times and don't see that analogy anywhere.  I've Googled and Binged and torn my Favorites folder apart in a vain attempt to find a post that mentions this, because I don't want to take credit away from anyone.  So if anyone sees that post, or you are the author of it, please let me know so I can attribute it correctly.

However, we may have to accept the very real possibility that I am blindingly brilliant.  (We'll also have to admit I am incapable of remembering if I thought up something so freaking smart.)

Okay, I'm slowing down the pacing on our discussion about pacing. . .

You want your characters to arrive "fashionably late".  They won't have to endure that tedious, self-conscious chit chat that occurs before the party really gets going.  Nobody likes that, especially readers.  Your characters should enter the scene like James or Jane Bond, suave and debonair and the focus of everyone's attention.  The background party noise diminishes because we all want to hear what THEY have to say.  It won't be small talk.  It'll be something important, worth listening to.  Worth turning pages quickly.

And like the most sought-after guests, they should leave long before the other partygoers.  Your characters won't dawdle and linger until the bitter end, looking for their coats and keys while the hosts try to hide their yawns.  No, they'll leave when the party is in full swing, leaving everyone to wonder, "What's going to happen next?"

They'll be on to the next scene, intriguing everyone and leaving before they can start to bore anyone.  As Mr. Browne says, "Get in, make your point, then get the hell out."

That's good advice for anyone to follow.

Comments

[Maureen]

Makeing me think of the many fascinating convos on the Revenge that I missed this week because I arrived fashionable late! But I did overhear a lot of cool stuff...

I think the trick with having a character enter late is make sure the catch up doesn't appear as backstory.

Now I do like having them leave just so that they miss a crucial piece of information...builds tension!

[Melissa]

I probably don't "get in," or make my entrance, with as much pizazz as I get out with. LOL It's always hard to pinpoint that right spot for jumping in. (Now I'm thinking of jumping into a skipping rope game in progress. It wouldn't be pretty. LOL) I take hope in the numbers that you only have to make an entrance once. Then if everyone loves you, hopefully they will stick around. They can't leave while they hope desperately for you to come back. LOL

[Donna Cummings]

Maureen, this probably speaks to me because I'm usually running late, even if it's NOT because I'm fashionable. LOL (Years ago my sister gave me a license plate holder that said, "Always late, but worth the wait". LOL Guess I should apply that to writing scenes too!

You're right about the backstory -- they can't defeat the whole purpose of arriving late by dumping info in there!

[Donna Cummings]

Oooh, Melissa, I like that analogy of jumping into the skipping rope game. I remember how hard I thought it was, and was so determined to get it right -- and one day it just WORKED. LOL

And perfect advice about only having to make an entrance once!

[Jan O'Hara]

Ooh, I haven't been around enough to know you'd embarked on a series about craft, but awesome!

As for your party metaphor, it's both apt and sounds familiar. Is it possible it's from a book? My hunch would be STORY, by Robert McKee, or TECHNIQUES OF THE SELLING WRITER by Swain. Either way, it's good advice.

[Donna Cummings]

Jan, good to see you! And I don't know if I'm doing a "series" -- that implies something a lot more organized than what I'm doing. LOL

I haven't read STORY, but I'd like to, and I have that Dwight Swain book packed away somewhere -- I love that book and would like to read it again. Talk about motivation for finally going through some of those boxes!

[Robert Gregory Browne]

Think of your scene as a party. I like that.

Thanks for the shoutout.

[Donna Cummings]

I'm glad you liked it! Thanks for inspiring it. :)

[colbymarshall]

Get in and make your point and get out...that's something I'm still working on

[Donna Cummings]

Colby, I usually fix that in revisions, since sometimes I'm not sure WHERE the party is starting. LOL I have to mosey around until I find it and then I'm good to go. :)