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Post A Note > Writing Talk > The Novel Course > The Order of Things
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Voca
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« on: August 17, 2012, 05:56:08 PM »
For the novel, I thought I had the overall arc of the story. But I've run into serious trouble regarding the order of things. It seems like two of the rather major characters should not appear until the middle of the book when their action happens. Yet the course guide advises you to introduce your major characters at the beginning.

This leads me to believe I will have an awful lot of backstory to insert into the telling as I go forward, or else I'll have to do a major flashback. For some reason I don't like the idea of using the flashback.

Initially I preferred a straightforward linear chronological path.  Now these thorns have appeared on the path. (I think these thorns are my fear of not being able to handle the backstory.)

Help! I have to resolve this, or Mary you're going to get an incomplete Assignment #3. (And I'm going to get a C Minus! Wink
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lizbeth
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« Reply #1 on: August 17, 2012, 06:36:40 PM »
Don't worry, Voca, your assignments don't get graded!  Smiley    Just some thoughts for you to play around with:

Is it possible you are trying to feed your readers too much information up front in the form of backstory?

Is it possible these really aren't your major characters if they don't show up till later?

Is your novel starting at the wrong place?  Should it start with where the actions starts and backstory interspersed so it's not one huge chunk?

If you want to emotionally impact your reader, hook them into your character’s life, and snag them on the journey you’ve set out, let the reasons unfold.

Keep them asking…

Hope that helps... Good luck- you'll be fine!
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Voca
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« Reply #2 on: August 18, 2012, 02:43:28 PM »
No, this doesn't quite settle it for me, Lizbeth, but thanks for commenting.

Your questions 1, 2, & 4 don't apply. Question 3 may have the clue, but then I'm right back to using a flashback. So perhaps the whole book will be a flashback. That could work, I suppose. I've certainly seen that done.

I know Mary will help me.

Whatever happens, it's an adventure. I feel like I'm taking the trip with my m.c.

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lizbeth
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« Reply #3 on: August 18, 2012, 03:14:19 PM »
Yes she will!  Sorry not to be of more help.  Good luck with your novel!! Smiley
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MaryR
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« Reply #4 on: August 19, 2012, 10:02:13 AM »
Voca, I sort of stood back here to see if you got any useful input.  For heaven's sake this is not a high school English class, dear!  You don't get a 'c'.  Send me your Three with the story just as you have planned it out.  That way, I can look at it and suggest any changes if needed so that you avoid that intrusion of backstory when you introduce the characters.  You may be fine the way you are.  Anything is doable if it works, but I won't really know until you send me the story arc.  And be as thorough in your description of the arc as you need to be, since you're having trouble here.  You don't need to abide by the course wordcount limits. 

Just send it to me, you'll be fine.   Smiley


Mary Rosenblum LR Web Editor
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