Tag Archives: plot

In Medias Res: Starting a Story in the Middle

Posted on July 27, 2022 by Charles Yallowitz

This is what caused me to think up this week’s topic: IN MEDIAS RES.  I’d never heard of it even though I’m sure I’ve seen it.  This is very popular in film noir, but it shows up in plenty of … Continue reading →

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Sins of the Parent Placed on the Child

Posted on March 25, 2022 by Charles Yallowitz

Well, that’s not fair.  I mean, a parent screws up, so a child has to be punished?  It doesn’t make a lot of sense by most modern standards.  Though, I’m sure it probably happens in some places.  Odd how the … Continue reading →

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Questions 3: The Plot is the Glue or Something

Posted on March 18, 2022 by Charles Yallowitz

Last of the elements is plot.  This is the ‘what’ is happening to the characters and in the setting.  Also, you may want to explain ‘why’, which can overlap with the other two.  The simplest explanation is that these are … Continue reading →

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Elements of a Story: The List of 7

Posted on March 11, 2022 by Charles Yallowitz

Next week, I’m going to be doing a bunch of ‘Questions 3’ that revolve around the elements of a story.  Mostly, I’m curious to see what people think.  This also stemmed from finding a variety of lists for story elements.  … Continue reading →

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Phases of a Story: The Churning Gas of . . . No Clean Way to Do This Title

Posted on February 15, 2019 by Charles Yallowitz

I had to think long and hard about this one because I couldn’t really put my thoughts to words.  There was a moment of giving up and throwing the concept out to everyone for how they would do it.  Yet, … Continue reading →

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Phases of a Story: The Flowing Liquid of Plot

Posted on February 13, 2019 by Charles Yallowitz

This one might be easier than I expected because we’ve heard the comparison as much as the solid foundation phrase.  So, what is something that comes to mind when you think of a liquid?  Oceans, drinks, showers, baths, streams, rivers, … Continue reading →

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The Benefits of a Mid or Late Series Detour Tale

Posted on July 29, 2015 by Charles Yallowitz

For context, Dean dies repeatedly in that episode while the day repeats with only Sam knowing.  There is an actual reason for that to happen, which is revealed at the end and I won’t spoil the fun.  Seriously, it got … Continue reading →

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Resurrection of Characters

Posted on March 28, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz

A common quest in fantasy series is the concept of ‘Resurrection’.  A hero has fallen and the remaining warriors go to revive him.  The main villain has been killed and there is now a plan to bring him back to … Continue reading →

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What Do You Think of Returning to the Past

Posted on March 10, 2014 by Charles Yallowitz

A big part of Legends of Windemere: Family of the Tri-Rune deals with handling past mistakes.  One of the main characters made a big mistake in a previous book and now they’re about to face the consequences.  Part of the … Continue reading →

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The MacGuffin: Apparently It’s Not a Breakfast Pastry

Posted on December 11, 2013 by Charles Yallowitz

I’ll admit that I never really knew what a MacGuffin was.  I’d heard the term, but always managed to stay in the conversation without revealing my ignorance.  Honestly, I kept thinking of food and puffins whenever I heard the term.  … Continue reading →

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