I have discovered that the book I am writing seems to have 2 parts. So I am imagining that during the first part I was climbing up a small hill, with the hook at each end of the chapter a small peak, where you can see the next hill in front of you as if I was traversing a series of foothills. For each start of the next chapter is a slight dip (valley) then rising to the top of the next hill, so by the climax at the end of part 1, I was at the a considerably higher spot than I started with. Now with the pyramid structure this would be the top, but when I got there, what I found is that I dropped down into a fairly deep valley, and started the trip up another foot hill, leading to another peak. Only I am at a higher place than I started the book. But, the pacing, of going up slowly, looking around (back from where I came) and foward to where I need to go, is starting out slowly again. What I assume is that the book's climax will come when I make it to the top of a second, but higher mountain. What I am struck by is that most of my mysteries are more of a loop...where after the climax (mystery solved) I end up with a fairly long epilog, where I revisit where I started (but maybe not loop, but a quick trip back, seeing all the clues from the new perspective of the solved mystery, then with some sense of how the trip has changed my main protagonist. As usual, thanks for the prompt to think about the work from a new perspective.
It's amazing to see such patterns! If feeling blocked at any point, you might look to these--draw them out and play, if necessary--to get back to a useful place.
I appreciate the mountain ranges, the looking back, and the inter-connecting of the first set of peaks with the second.
Thank you for sharing these words! I can SEE the images and shapes in your words, Mary Lou!
I'm using a way overly ambitious story structure -- a ring cycle -- for my novel, so the book goes in towards the center (climax of story) and comes out again. So, probably more similar to a back-and-forth trail than a loop trail? The opening is the starting point that will be circled back to at the end. It needs to not only set the scene and introduce main characters, but also foreshadow the coming crisis, and hint at the problems lying beneath. A daunting prospect; I think I'd rather go camping. And I hate camping! ;)
I have discovered that the book I am writing seems to have 2 parts. So I am imagining that during the first part I was climbing up a small hill, with the hook at each end of the chapter a small peak, where you can see the next hill in front of you as if I was traversing a series of foothills. For each start of the next chapter is a slight dip (valley) then rising to the top of the next hill, so by the climax at the end of part 1, I was at the a considerably higher spot than I started with. Now with the pyramid structure this would be the top, but when I got there, what I found is that I dropped down into a fairly deep valley, and started the trip up another foot hill, leading to another peak. Only I am at a higher place than I started the book. But, the pacing, of going up slowly, looking around (back from where I came) and foward to where I need to go, is starting out slowly again. What I assume is that the book's climax will come when I make it to the top of a second, but higher mountain. What I am struck by is that most of my mysteries are more of a loop...where after the climax (mystery solved) I end up with a fairly long epilog, where I revisit where I started (but maybe not loop, but a quick trip back, seeing all the clues from the new perspective of the solved mystery, then with some sense of how the trip has changed my main protagonist. As usual, thanks for the prompt to think about the work from a new perspective.
It's amazing to see such patterns! If feeling blocked at any point, you might look to these--draw them out and play, if necessary--to get back to a useful place.
I appreciate the mountain ranges, the looking back, and the inter-connecting of the first set of peaks with the second.
Thank you for sharing these words! I can SEE the images and shapes in your words, Mary Lou!
I'm using a way overly ambitious story structure -- a ring cycle -- for my novel, so the book goes in towards the center (climax of story) and comes out again. So, probably more similar to a back-and-forth trail than a loop trail? The opening is the starting point that will be circled back to at the end. It needs to not only set the scene and introduce main characters, but also foreshadow the coming crisis, and hint at the problems lying beneath. A daunting prospect; I think I'd rather go camping. And I hate camping! ;)
Oh my--your last two lines give me a rueful chuckle.
Sounds like it IS somewhat like the map I posted... did I mention we felt lost a few times!?
Keep us posted on this. I'm curious to know if at some point/s you diagram the plotting, and if such helps.
Thanks for sharing your process!