Story structure
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I was wondering what you prefer as a reader..
say we have a comedy, with sci-fi overtones.. 100% western cultured story. The whole story basically jumps around, like in The Butterfly Effect. Then you as the reader order the story's segments into one cohesive work. The point of view is extremely loose and jumps between characters a lot. As well as the story being extremely non-linear.
First chapter = climax+foreshadow+flashforward
second chapter = introduction
third - sixth = segments of the whole story leaking information slowly
Seven = climax
eight = limited explanation of the story
my work is a short story that I am trying to get a serious theme through. So, I want the story to be re-read to make an impact on the reader. But, I was wondering if I should keep the climax flashforward at the beginning. I introduce the two main characters in the climax. One was confused, which at the beginning of chapter two is who the book follows. While the other knew everything, but said nothing of what he knew. Then as chapter two progresses the protagonist (confused character), is friends with the second omnipotent character. This is before the climax but hinting at some extremely deviant behavior by the protagonist's friend. The third chapter follows the omnipotent character from the protagonist's beginning point in chapter two. Then this information pulls you into chapter four with a reasonable understanding of events that occured in chapter one. Which was basically a confrontation between the protagonist and the omnipotent character as best friends. Then as chapters four to seven throw more cryptic information at you, you hit the climax again. Then with an understanding of why everything is happening, you see it from a different point of view. Then, an explanation is awarded to the reader in chapter eight. However, it is limited to make the reader re-read the work one more time.
What I am asking is should i re-order it?
say we have a comedy, with sci-fi overtones.. 100% western cultured story. The whole story basically jumps around, like in The Butterfly Effect. Then you as the reader order the story's segments into one cohesive work. The point of view is extremely loose and jumps between characters a lot. As well as the story being extremely non-linear.
First chapter = climax+foreshadow+flashforward
second chapter = introduction
third - sixth = segments of the whole story leaking information slowly
Seven = climax
eight = limited explanation of the story
my work is a short story that I am trying to get a serious theme through. So, I want the story to be re-read to make an impact on the reader. But, I was wondering if I should keep the climax flashforward at the beginning. I introduce the two main characters in the climax. One was confused, which at the beginning of chapter two is who the book follows. While the other knew everything, but said nothing of what he knew. Then as chapter two progresses the protagonist (confused character), is friends with the second omnipotent character. This is before the climax but hinting at some extremely deviant behavior by the protagonist's friend. The third chapter follows the omnipotent character from the protagonist's beginning point in chapter two. Then this information pulls you into chapter four with a reasonable understanding of events that occured in chapter one. Which was basically a confrontation between the protagonist and the omnipotent character as best friends. Then as chapters four to seven throw more cryptic information at you, you hit the climax again. Then with an understanding of why everything is happening, you see it from a different point of view. Then, an explanation is awarded to the reader in chapter eight. However, it is limited to make the reader re-read the work one more time.
What I am asking is should i re-order it?
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well that is technically up to you because some novels and movies are written like that but make sure it doesnt become too confusing ( a common error when re-arranging)
If you feel the story becomes more exciting then go ahead.
If you feel the story becomes more exciting then go ahead.
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I'm a writer that tends to let the characters take control.
While I often have a planned beginning and ending (one that usually corresponds to what kind of general story/feeling I want with what I'm writing), the middle and the length of that middle usually varies depending on how well thought out my characters are.
It's just impossible to drag on a story with no chemistry between characters. But when there is... Well... None of your plans with which chapter does what are going to help!
~Ky
While I often have a planned beginning and ending (one that usually corresponds to what kind of general story/feeling I want with what I'm writing), the middle and the length of that middle usually varies depending on how well thought out my characters are.
It's just impossible to drag on a story with no chemistry between characters. But when there is... Well... None of your plans with which chapter does what are going to help!
~Ky
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Sounds like an interesting structure, one which may confuse the hell out of people (it already confuses me lol). I would say it would probably be better to have it in a sort of Haruhi Suzumiya no Yuutsu kind of structure, since it has worked so well. I really would think Haruhi would just be an run of the mill, ordinary type of anime if it were aired chronologically, and not mixed up. One does have to admit that it was genius to market it that way though.
I'm not sure how you'll be presenting the climaxes, but I'd suggest having the one in the first chapter be as a sort of hook, one that reveals the end, but in a brief sort of way, with the climax at the end as the actual climax, that goes over the content of the first one and but presenting it in an omniscient view, that reveals something crucial.
With the body of the story, it might work to have bits of the "introduction" nearer to the end of the story, or at least every so often throughout it. And perhaps have a bit of information leaking before the first climax (did that sound ambiguous to you? I feel like I should twist that =p), just to draw in the audience a little more.
Anyway, whatever you decide, I hope it works out. Post it some time and let us read it, yeah?
I'm not sure how you'll be presenting the climaxes, but I'd suggest having the one in the first chapter be as a sort of hook, one that reveals the end, but in a brief sort of way, with the climax at the end as the actual climax, that goes over the content of the first one and but presenting it in an omniscient view, that reveals something crucial.
With the body of the story, it might work to have bits of the "introduction" nearer to the end of the story, or at least every so often throughout it. And perhaps have a bit of information leaking before the first climax (did that sound ambiguous to you? I feel like I should twist that =p), just to draw in the audience a little more.
Anyway, whatever you decide, I hope it works out. Post it some time and let us read it, yeah?