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| >> Static Item >> Editorial >> Writing >> ID #953485 |   |
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The Elevator Principle. Have you ever heard of the elevator principle? I hadn't. What an interesting concept for battling writer’s block, and writing a good story at the same time. I was searching for an interesting topic for this newsletter; it’s been too long since I’ve written one, and I wanted it to be useful. My subject is not Writer’s Block, but this concept would certainly work there. I like the idea because of it’s simplicity; it’s workability to all writers no matter which stage of knowledge they’ve reached. It would work for new writer's especially well, since it can be as short as they wish for practicing; or longer for a serious write. They will need to remember to include all the points of a complete story, which are listed. So, instead of me telling about it, I'm giving it to you in the author's own words. Here's how the Elevator principle works . . . Cram a large group of characters -- few [or none] of whom know each other -- in an Elevator. A crowd of about 5 to 10 is good with a mix of ages, genders, social status, and personal problems. Close the doors and stick it between floors. And then one of the characters turns out to be a lunatic. If nothing happens, turn off the vent fan. The real advantage of this technique is you don't have to worry much about a Suspense Plot. That's the Elevator. The Point of Attack's when they all get in. The Inciting Incident comes when it sticks between floors. The Conflict is driven by the aggressive Lunatic picking on everybody. The Climax hits when the Lunatic loses it, and the Resolution is of course when the Elevator . . . You can have an Elevator Play set practically anywhere that's isolated: a spaceship, a cave, a submarine, a rural diner, a life boat, an airplane. Even somebody's living room or a bank under siege will do. As long as the characters can't -- or think they can't -- leave. And at least one of them -- if not a raving lunatic -- is at least borderline. Text copied verbatim from Richard Toscan’s http://www.vcu.edu/artweb/playwriting/ I think this idea may cause even me to try my hand at it.  I am never as clear about any matter as when I have just finished writing about it. James Van Allen
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