tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post79950843842046474..comments2024-03-15T09:26:02.796-05:00Comments on PROJECT MAYHEM: GUEST: Harrison Demchick, Editor Etc. The Godzilla Effect: How Climaxes, Twists, and Turning Points Work (and How They Don’t)Project Mayhemhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05154342399869089664noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-32749373480787969392015-06-13T23:24:12.047-05:002015-06-13T23:24:12.047-05:00Now I worry that I may have inspired the opening e...Now I worry that I may have inspired the opening example of a Victorian-era setting with sudden Godzilla problems. ;)Bill Rayhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15057482807457420993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-63997996418568326842015-06-01T07:43:15.925-05:002015-06-01T07:43:15.925-05:00I'm happy to help, Dianne! Multi-book series d...I'm happy to help, Dianne! Multi-book series do make it tricky, because you need to be thinking about two story arcs: the individual arc for the book and the overall arc for the story. That means three or five different climaxes <i>and</i> a satisfying climax for the overall series. It's a lot to juggle, but so rewarding when you nail it.<br /><br />Harrison Demchick<br />Developmental Editor, <a href="http://thewritersally.com" rel="nofollow">The Writer's Ally</a>Harrison Demchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18341713037648122172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-13749943440370247372015-05-29T15:12:57.060-05:002015-05-29T15:12:57.060-05:00You've given me a lot to think about -- and at...You've given me a lot to think about -- and at just the right time! Up to now, I thought I pretty much knew how to write a climax. But I'm currently plotting a potential fourth book in a potential five book series, and struggling over the climax. If my 3-book series goes to 5 -- which may partly depend on how good my proposal is -- then I know the Book 4 climax is the All is Lost Moment. It's the climax where things don't end the way we want them to end. Aaaand ... that's kind of new for me.<br /><br />I'll be mulling your post over carefully, as you've given me a lot of fuel for thought. (Cue Mr. Burns rubbing his hands together and muttering, "Exxxcellent.")Dianne K. Salernihttp://diannesalerni.com/blog/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-7184601831076908312015-05-29T15:10:41.854-05:002015-05-29T15:10:41.854-05:00The Sixth Sense is an interesting case. The reason...<i>The Sixth Sense</i> is an interesting case. The reason that one works the way it does is because the twist follows resolution. Because you believe the story over, you're blindsided by the fact that it isn't. Twists are more common toward or at the climax. The really great ones, you still don't see coming, but the seeds from which they emerge were there all along.<br /><br />Harrison Demchick<br />Developmental Editor, <a href="http://thewritersally.com" rel="nofollow">The Writer's Ally</a>Harrison Demchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18341713037648122172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-12533185181482449742015-05-29T14:22:07.755-05:002015-05-29T14:22:07.755-05:00Interesting take on the climax and twists -- I don...Interesting take on the climax and twists -- I don't think I've read enough about them. I like a book that has a mix of surprises I guess (because I feel so clever and I have the excitement of anticipating) and those that I didn't see coming. Most compelling stories have both -- although Sixth Sense-like blow-your-mind twists are amazing, they are RARE. Kell Andrewshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18089691866850131698noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-63618959991978285772015-05-29T12:35:00.953-05:002015-05-29T12:35:00.953-05:00Thank you! And thanks to all of Project Middle Gra...Thank you! And thanks to all of Project Middle Grade Mayhem for posting this guest blog.<br /><br />Harrison Demchick<br />Developmental Editor, <a href="http://thewritersally.com" rel="nofollow">The Writer's Ally</a>Harrison Demchickhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/18341713037648122172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2173408054965817352.post-77195611159688632342015-05-29T10:11:38.451-05:002015-05-29T10:11:38.451-05:00Love that paragraph about the dominoes.
And yes,...Love that paragraph about the dominoes. <br /><br />And yes, that twist in The Sixth Sense is unforgettable. Thanks, Harrison and Eden, for sharing such wisdom today.Michael G-Ghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07947421844294471304noreply@blogger.com