tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-759789976253980784.post6265173528565563148..comments2023-10-25T04:48:34.609-04:00Comments on Claudie A.: Set Up: My Writerly KryptoniteClaudie A.http://www.blogger.com/profile/10726598163986994132noreply@blogger.comBlogger11125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-759789976253980784.post-85885180244840288662011-08-17T16:14:48.490-04:002011-08-17T16:14:48.490-04:00It's also kind of tied up with that whole '...It's also kind of tied up with that whole 'in media res' versus 'in media conflictus' issue and the caution that starting with conflict doesn't mean starting with action and danger and exploding whatevers. Starting in media conflictus doesn't require backstory thrown in right from page one.Margo Lerwillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00773653995392669855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-759789976253980784.post-28191627924388562532011-08-17T13:28:12.747-04:002011-08-17T13:28:12.747-04:00Ok, I think I get you. I'll dig out my Donald ...Ok, I think I get you. I'll dig out my Donald Maass book and see what I can find. And, you know, try and apply it to the set up. Thanks!Claudie A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10726598163986994132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-759789976253980784.post-57894236813858946432011-08-17T11:39:41.328-04:002011-08-17T11:39:41.328-04:00Where do I usually get my most outrageous advice? ...Where do I usually get my most outrageous advice? Don Maass, of course.<br /><br />I think people get backstory and set-up twisted up with each other and can't see how to separate one from the other.<br /><br />Set-up is really about the current situation, the world that is about to be seriously endangered.<br /><br />Backstory is about stuff that happened even before that, stuff that will inform and explain the characters' reactions to new events unfolding.<br /><br />Plus, in most novels, Part I is going to run 90-100 manuscript pages, so there's still room for backstory if it comes up.<br /><br />What's the reasoning? Backstory isn't supposed to be there for it's own sake. It's supposed to be there to add nuance to the character's reaction to *current* stressors. It's one thing to have a character experience a stressful situation. It's another to heighten that stressful situation by including backstory that illustrates how this *current* situation really pushes his buttons.Margo Lerwillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00773653995392669855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-759789976253980784.post-43866106699870537172011-08-16T23:49:45.373-04:002011-08-16T23:49:45.373-04:00Margo: This is the first time I hear the advice. I...Margo: This is the first time I hear the advice. I am very much considering applying it the next time I start a draft. I'm curious, though... I thought Part 1 was the place to get most of it out. Not all of it, obviously, but chunks at least. <br /><br />Do you remember where you got the advice? I'd love to hear the reasoning behind it. (Also, 10 bucks says it's something I've read and completely ignored! XD)Claudie A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10726598163986994132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-759789976253980784.post-42715878479855500382011-08-16T16:25:50.476-04:002011-08-16T16:25:50.476-04:00I don't like the set-up either. Oddly enough, ...I don't like the set-up either. Oddly enough, TLF has waay to much set-up before the war actually starts. Well, the inciting incident does occur at the end of the first chapter, but then my characters spend the next 6? chapters planning and plotting.cookiehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05188576122682176946noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-759789976253980784.post-12915344931812267822011-08-16T12:47:58.758-04:002011-08-16T12:47:58.758-04:00I found it got easier when I started following the...I found it got easier when I started following the advice of including no backstory in the first 50 pages (except for the sentence or two here and there that might slide in while I wasn't being vigilant enough). It simplified the process by letting me concentrate exclusively on establishing characters, current relationship status, and the stakes (prior to endangering them). Any world-building I include has to serve those purposes. A few well-placed details, provided in context instead of in expository chunks, go a long way.Margo Lerwillhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00773653995392669855noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-759789976253980784.post-25716399018659300342011-08-16T10:38:08.530-04:002011-08-16T10:38:08.530-04:00Bryan: My whole post in 4 words. ;)Bryan: My whole post in 4 words. ;)Claudie A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10726598163986994132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-759789976253980784.post-17767227471559334282011-08-16T07:59:05.777-04:002011-08-16T07:59:05.777-04:00I concur. Openings are a bitch.I concur. Openings are a bitch.Bryan Russellhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09555071335245492790noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-759789976253980784.post-72131510149150342502011-08-16T00:32:30.865-04:002011-08-16T00:32:30.865-04:00Sarah, I swear to you, I am starting as closely to...Sarah, I swear to you, I am starting as closely to the exciting stuff as I can. There is about 1000 words before MC meets the character at the root of the inciting incident, and within the first 5000, someone pointed a gun at another and the Inciting Incident is over. I don't honestly believe I could start earlier. <br /><br />What I call set-up is all the work until my MC willingly decides to take part in this story and crosses his point of no return. A good 20-25k into the story. Until that moment the main conflict was only hinted at.<br /><br />LG: Tricky balance indeed. It's part of why it irritates me so much.Claudie A.https://www.blogger.com/profile/10726598163986994132noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-759789976253980784.post-69289876851174135182011-08-15T18:01:23.700-04:002011-08-15T18:01:23.700-04:00Well, I tried skipping the set up and now most of ...Well, I tried skipping the set up and now most of the feedback I get from agents is that they want to see more world building. It's a tricky balance between too much and not enough. Something I'm still struggling with.Luanne G. Smithhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15762881276976395955noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-759789976253980784.post-502024636579106172011-08-15T17:10:51.131-04:002011-08-15T17:10:51.131-04:00I am exactly the same. I hate writing the beginnin...I am exactly the same. I hate writing the beginning set up parts. Which is why I developed this solution: skip them. Just don't do the set up at all. Start right at the exciting conflict and reference the set up. That's what I'm try anyway. :)Sarah McCabehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10985261436020635823noreply@blogger.com