McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft
Structure...?
blgarver:
So, I'm having somewhat of a conflict with structure. Well, actually, my book has no solid structure.
Therein lies my conflict.
I'm sort of at odds with outlining and structure. I'm afraid to fall into a formula and risk being unoriginal. I know everything is stolen from everything else, but if everyone's using the same structure, then it REALLY sounds like the same story. I'd rather disguise that.
Life doesn't really happen according to a structure, and a story is about a character's or a group of characters' and a certain point in their life. So I let the story happen that way. I mean, there's still buildup and climax and suspense and conflict and all that, but I don't think I could really sit down and map out the structure. At least, if I did, it would one effed up looking map.
Anyone else stray from the formula at all, or do you think it's better/more productive to stick with the 3 or 5 act structure?
the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh:
--- Quote from: blgarver on December 22, 2006, 04:28:47 PM ---I'm sort of at odds with outlining and structure. I'm afraid to fall into a formula and risk being unoriginal. I know everything is stolen from everything else, but if everyone's using the same structure, then it REALLY sounds like the same story.
--- End quote ---
"everything is stolen from everyone else" seems perilous close to post-modernism, and I succeeded in my saving throw against that some time ago.
--- Quote from: blgarver on December 22, 2006, 04:28:47 PM ---Life doesn't really happen according to a structure, and a story is about a character's or a group of characters' and a certain point in their life.
--- End quote ---
Life may not have narrative flow, but the way people talk about it and think about it does. And not all fiction has to be true to life in that way. Not every novel wants to get as much of the normally left out bits and bobs of everyday life as Ulysses in, frex. At least in my not-notably-humble opinion.
--- Quote from: blgarver on December 22, 2006, 04:28:47 PM ---Anyone else stray from the formula at all, or do you think it's better/more productive to stick with the 3 or 5 act structure?
--- End quote ---
I don't think these are the only options at all, really. Structure seems to be something that my own stories will usually reliably give me as they go along, be that three "acts" or eight or something else entirely. I think there's more really good advice out there about structure in writing for screenplays, in particular - William Goldman's two Adventures in the Screen Trade book are wonderful - where thinking in terms of acts is the standard for the form - than for novels.
Have you read Iain M. Banks' Use of Weapons ? I'd recommend it, if you're thinking heavily about structure. Probably the best example of doing two threads converging on a climactic event in recent fiction.
Dom:
I don't worry about structure myself...some stories have one type of structure, others a different type, so I sort of feel it out as I go. I think of it as architecture--some houses are bungalows, some are ranches, some mansions, some mobile homes. :D All are houses, the structure just differs a bit and is best for certain types of people. Some structures are better for different types of stories.
Belial:
I was actually thinking about something close to this the other day, and I came to the conclusion that there are two basic types of characters (don't worry, I think this is on topic, just bear with me for a moment).
There are characters where form follows function, and characters where function follows form.
Form follows function would be a more structured approach; i.e. the story calls for this type of character, so I'll create this type of character to do this, he'll need this quality and this quality and this quality, etc etc.
Function follows form is somewhat less structured (in terms of story); i.e. I have a great idea for a character, so I create a world for him to play around in and the plot comes along as the character goes along.
These are (in my opinion) the two basic types of characters and stories; one where the plot is what is of utmost importance, the other where the characters are. There are many different shades of grey between these, and I doubt any story is purely one or the other, although they may have heavy leanings towards one.
So it sounds to me like you want to do a story where function follows form, but you are worried that it would be better if form followed function. In my opinion they are equally valid approaches, although I also think that one should not be forsaken entirely for the other. I usually start with a few characters that I've created (function follows form) then drop them into a situation I think is interesting (form follows function) and let the two define each other.
terioncalling:
I used to try a sort of structure or outline and my brain ceased working so I threw that out the proverbial window. Now I just write as it comes and try to keep the characters as close to my extremely loose outlines as I can. But if they come up with something good, I may just decide to go along with it. ^^
Or maybe I do follow structure though I don't know it and when the writer's board gets up'n running someone can inform me of this.
Navigation
[0] Message Index
[#] Next page
Go to full version