Characters Are Stuck...
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- writerlady1904
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Characters Are Stuck...
- MatthewSteele
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- Kmykel
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I got that little nugget of wisdom from an old writing teacher back in grade school. Nothing like a blunt force, out-of-the-blue brawl to get the creative juices flowing.
- writerlady1904
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If you're not afraid to go for an ending where there's a lot less happiness, I'd argue that it could be more poignant to lead the story to an ending where either a) the majority of the characters die and show the gravity of their situation or b) all the central characters are killed in an epic standoff that at least validates one of the major character's arc and ends how most situations like these would realistically end.writerlady1904 wrote: ↑23 Jun 2018, 18:03 Thank you both for taking time to respond and give your advice. I do have a minor character I wouldn't mind killing off. They are being chased by North Korean prison guards and dogs, but right now they just hear them in the distance. I should probably let them have at least one battle with them to make it more interesting. At least, you have given me plenty to think about! Thank you both very much
Just my two cents.
- Kyrenora
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- DATo
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This is an excellent place in your story for the use of flashbacks to tell the backstory of the people making the journey. This allows "real time", which may be boring to the reader if journeying through the snow is extended at length, to pass while the backstories are being told. When you resume the "real time" narrative have your characters at the Chinese border and ready to cross. The reader will subconsciously fill in the lapse of protracted time with visions of the characters trudging through the snow during the period that the backstories were being told.
― Steven Wright
- jjmainor
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Agree with this wholeheartedly. A lull in the action is a great place for backstory, or the character moments that would drag down any other part of the story.DATo wrote: ↑10 Aug 2018, 00:42 I agree with Kyrenora (above) with the added suggestion ...
This is an excellent place in your story for the use of flashbacks to tell the backstory of the people making the journey. This allows "real time", which may be boring to the reader if journeying through the snow is extended at length, to pass while the backstories are being told. When you resume the "real time" narrative have your characters at the Chinese border and ready to cross. The reader will subconsciously fill in the lapse of protracted time with visions of the characters trudging through the snow during the period that the backstories were being told.
Another suggestion might be to focus on the cold and the creeping frostbite. Showcase them suffering from the elements, slowing them down while the enemy closes in.
- H0LD0Nthere
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Or, if you want a REALLY creative solution ... Yeti!!!
But, since your first posted back in June, I'm hoping this post is late and you're already unstuck by now.
- clint_csperry-org
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