Epiphany.
No, not the one who sang, I Think We’re Alone Now.
This was a book epiphany.
As I plot my novel, in between doing all the other things that require my attention, such as earn a living and ensuring that a roof stays over my head, my aim is to raise the stakes and keep them there (like the roof).
Because of that, I’ve decided that the story will take place over the course of 24 hours.
I want my protagonist to have the worst day of her life, I want the clock to be ticking and I want the pain to pile on.
I’d been HORRIBLY stuck in terms of getting the idea down on the page but once I decided this (at around 3am one restless night), I felt a huge sense of relief.
It was the structure I’d been craving.
Because I’ve studied and written many screenplays, part of my issue with this novel - my first - is that I don’t have the same points of reference.
The ticking clock, which is probably more of a movie/TV device (although I’m happy to be proved wrong), lends me a structure I can play with.
Above, I’ve used a still from the movie High Noon, with Gary Cooper and Grace Kelly, as the movie’s imagery leans heavily on clocks and time is literally of the essence.
So, it’s no surprise that as soon as I had the idea, I could see the story laid out in front of me. That 24-hour urgency gives the story something I didn’t know it needed.
Am I cheating by using it? Don’t know.
Will it work in a novel? No idea.
Does it matter? Not for the time being.
As I say, epiphany.
Have you had any similar load-shedding breakthroughs this week?
Do tell because then we can be smug together!*
Lisa
I haven’t seen this video for years and it’s an Eighties spectacular. Also, in terms of looks, Tiffany, who is still touring, also reminds me a little of Ariana Grande. Just me? Do you have any Tiffany anecdotes? Do share!
Sounds awesome x
Clock on the wall is a brilliant idea! Even used abstractly to remind the writer to keep things moving.