  Action/Adventure
This week: Edited by: W.D.Wilcox  
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"In my mind's eye, I've sailed across the silkened seas with Cap'n Nemo, Ahab, and Long John Silver."
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HOW I DO IT...
I received a 'slap-in-the-face' email the other day concerning one of my newsletters. The critic complained about the way I 'tell' instead of 'show' how to write. So, in answer to the reviewer's grievance, I thought I'd run you through the process of how I write a story (since it's the only reverence point I actually know).
I've never really had any basic training in writing. I read alot, and then just give it a go. I just try to start with a great opening line and take it from there. I'm a big believer of cathing the reader in the very first sentence. So, let's see...what's something that will make you read the next sentence, and then the next? I know! How about this...
The snow moved. That's catchy isn't it? Moving snow: it denotes action and stirs the worm of curiosity.
Next I need a character. I'll call him Jon...and then I'll need a setting, a setting where you would normally find snow plus the sense of fear Jon would have at seeing it move.
Jon peeked through the dirty window of the cabin watching it, considering its strange behavior with a tightening in his throat. He had seen it move before while gathering wood: large mounds of it, sliding a couple of feet at a time, and closing in like a pack of hungry wolves. It was slower then, almost indiscernible, but now that it knew he was trapped, it moved much quicker. Several large piles had already accumulated against the entrance of the cabin blocking any hope of escape. He pressed his ear against the door and heard the soft swish and rustle of it, probing and pushing at the entry, studying the cabin’s weaknesses. The sheer weight of it made the door creak and pop upon its hinges.
I like that, 'a pack of hungry wolves', something you would find in the snow and woods, plus, it gives a sense of being surrounded and closed-in. And the thought of pressing your ear against a door listening to what is on the other side is kind of creepy to me, especially if you're hearing strange sounds. Does this guy have 'cabin fever', or is something really happening with the snow outside?
Now I need to show some kind of 'Time' element. How about...
He was running out of time. Yeah, that works. He's desperate, so what does he do? What would I do if I was being attacked by snow?
Desperately, he kept the fireplace roaring, throwing into it anything that would burn: splintered chairs, tables, cupboard doors, and floorboards. The cabin was like a furnace, but it slowed the advance of the menacing mounds. When it piled high around the windows, he boiled pots of water and dumped it upon the snow like the lone defender of a castle pouring hot oil down upon its besiegers. The snow cracked and moaned under the onslaught. All right, there's a lot of action here. Jon is fighting for his life, but it's obvious he's running out of strength and resources. Time to close the trap.
Exhausted, Jon slept.
When he awoke it was freezing cold. The snow had overrun the entire cabin, dropped down through the chimney, and piled high in the fireplace. Lighting his oil lamp, he surveyed the damage.
Now I want to show what kind of character Jon really is. He is in a life-threatening situation. How will he behave?
He was in the belly of the beast, and he could feel the weight of it crushing down upon him like a mountain. There was only one thing left to do. Rearing back, he smashed the lantern upon the floor. The oil splashed all around him, and then caught fire.
It appears that Jon is a hero, realizing the futility of his situation, he decides to go down fighting. There, a 300 word story with a beginning and an end.
Until next time,
billwilcox
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LET'S TAKE A TRIP
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Western Fiction: A Texas Ranger Captain flees from Mescalero Apaches after being ambushed.
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SAY WHAT?
AmyBallantyne  says:
Thanks for giving me hope, W. D.! And a key!
-Amy
A key? *checks his pockets* I hope I didn't give you my keys?
nebroc asks:
Character development is the most important thing in a story, I find it hard to write with good character development sometimes, I have been taking other peoples advice, like getting the character to speak more and think more, but in some parts of a story there isn't much talking.
What are some good hints in developing your character in a story that doesn't involve a lot of talking?
I've addressed this issue before...imagine your main character unable to speak for some reason or another. How would he/she communicate? The old addage is that a man is judged by his actions and not his words. I believe this is an excellent way to help hone your skills in character development. Dialogue is also very important, but the more a hero talks the less of an opinion I have of him.
Vivian  acknowledges:
Thanks, Bill, for highlighting two of my stories. I agree that many writers don't take the time and effort to develop their characters. I was taught, and taught others, that each character should be "real" in the mind of the writer. That meant that characters had to be developed fully.
And as usual Viv, you are absolutely right.
SHERRI GIBSON  agrees:
Great newsletter, Bill. You're so right about action/adventure stories. The best ones are ones where the reader can almost feel the experiences of the characters.
Sherri
Thank you, Sherri. When I read about a jungle, I want to feel the heat, see the swarms of insects and lacerating foilage, hear the wild animals tagging alongside the trail, watching and waiting. |
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Action/Adventure: January 10, 2007 Issue [#1482]
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