When the author is plotting , all of the forks in the road must be considered . Decide what events follow if a certain thing happens . What events follow if that thing doesn ’ t happen ? This is the fun part where you as the author shape fate and more or less play “ God .” You alone determine the protagonist ’ s life pattern .
Fate is a powerful tool . It allows the author to map out the plot like a chess game , always looking ahead at the options . If Event A happens , it sets off a chain of events . If it doesn ’ t , life goes in another direction . At each milestone there are one or more choices that that shape the story in the to follow the path the author chooses .
EXAMPLE OF USING IT FOR HUMOR
The robbery is carefully planned , everything is in place and has been checked and double-checked . It should go without a hitch . Then there is momentary electrical short that sets off an alarm and it all goes wrong .
Who could have anticipated it ? It ’ s one of those moments . A great example of this is Donald Westlake ’ s “ What ’ s the Worst
BOOKS BY MORGAN ST . JAMES
Thing That Could Happen ?” where a chain of unanticipated mishaps resulted in a hilarious story . When asked what inspired his book “ Somebody Owes Me Money ,” he said , " I bet ... I bet if this had happened , then that wouldn ' t have happened ; that sort of thing .”
CONSIDER IT FOR ROMANCE
Fate is a very popular device in romances . How and why do the strangers meet ? Take “ Sleepless in Seattle .” It is filled with these moments and that ’ s what makes the story work .
THE BUBBLING TECHNIQUE
There is a technique called bubbling where you start with a protagonist and event in the main bubble . Then take all of the offshoots . For each plot point draw a circle radiating off the main one and enter that action . Then for each of those draw four or five circles leading back to each event and think of an action that could be triggered . Continue as far down that path as you choose . Now take your protagonist on the fateful journey you have mapped .
If you haven ’ t used fate in the past , try it now .
WRITERS ’ TRICKS OF THE TRADE
PAGE 27
SUMMER 2018