Working through the Think Sideways assignments I am constantly being surprised. Lesson 8 is all about getting "enough" scenes down using a light version of The Sentence to be comfortable starting to write. I'm a linear writer and I'm an outliner so at a minimum I wanted to know:
- The opening scenes
- Scenes to form the first act
- Each of the three turning points*
- The ending
I knew I already had the ending and that was a surprise in itself since I've never known the ending with such certainty when I've started to write. Another surprise was that I had solid conflict for the middle that has given me a whole series of scene to pick from for my turning points. It was the beginning that was giving me trouble. I've never had trouble with the beginning before. It's where I start, it just... is. I did wind my way back to the beginning and I'm pleased with the scene I've picked and 5 scenes that form the rest of Act I. I'd be happy to start writing and see what other ideas develop to flesh out the beginning.
*1. the transition from Act I to Act II, 2. the stakes are raised, 3. the transition from Act II to Act III.
3 comments:
Don't stress too much about which scene to begin with. One of the later lessons (possibly 9? Maybe 10?) has a really good technique for figuring out where to begin the story.
It worked so well for me, I got the beginning to book two, instead of book one *rolls eyes*
Ooh, thanks. I've read Lesson 9 and I hadn't thought to focus on that place in the story. It just might work. :)
Best of luck! :)
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