Re: Chapter pacing...


Remus Shepherd wrote:
> Not sure anyone can help me here, but this is a good place to bounce ideas
> and sort out my thoughts. What I have in the current WIP is this:
>
> Chapters 8 and 9 are occurring at the same time, with different characters
> in different places. Character A is in ch. 8, and character B is in ch. 9.
> Let's call them Abe and Bob.
>
> Chapter 8 is mostly exposition and character development, where Abe
> learns how important Bob is.
>
> Chapter 9 is mostly action with a spot of comedy. But Bob dies at the
> end of it.
>
> (Chapter 10 is where Abe tries to resurrect Bob, but that's not important
> right now.)
>
> I'm wondering whether I should reverse the orders of Chapters 8 and 9.
> If I have the reader see Bob die first, without Abe's knowledge, then there
> might be additional poignancy to the character development and the revelation
> of Bob's importance. On the other hand, if we first learn about Bob, the
> action scenes will be more exciting as the readers will have a greater sense
> of what's at stake. We'd also roll out the exposition earlier, which might
> (or might not) be a good thing.
>
<snip>

I see that you've already mostly decided on what to do based on what
others have said, but I thought I'd toss my 2 or 3 cents worth in,
anyway. I think, as others have said, that it could work either way. I
certainly have no preference as a reader if the writer does a good job.
What is more likely to bug me is if the exposition/character
development chapter goes on too long. My impatience as a reader might
kick in and I'll be thinking, enough already, lets get back to things
happening.

Also, the length of the chapters would be a factor for me, both as a
reader and writer. I tend to be on the instinctive end of such things,
writing-wise, and unless these are short chapters, I'd be inclined to
break them up a bit and alternate the characters. If both chapters had
the same or similar tones, I wouldn't, but if they're as dissimilar as
you say, then I would have a sense that it's too much one thing or the
other.

Just a couple of other things to consider, if you want. :)

Shelly

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: Chapter pacing...
    ... Character A is in ch. ... Let's call them Abe and Bob. ... If I have the reader see Bob die first, without Abe's knowledge, then there might be additional poignancy to the character development and the revelation of Bob's importance. ... We'd also roll out the exposition earlier, which might be a good thing. ...
    (rec.arts.sf.composition)
  • Re: Chapter pacing...
    ... Character A is in ch. ... >Let's call them Abe and Bob. ... For me as a reader, comedy before dying would be a tricky thing; ... Yes -- but it may also seem to be leading up to the resurrection attempt. ...
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  • Re: Fallen
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  • Re: Outline > approx. word count?
    ... would have made 1) better, clearer, smaller paragraphs and 2) kept the ... I felt it would throw the reader ... Who is Joaquin? ... nothing about the character, his situation, his world, or the problems he's ...
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