NOSTALGIC MOMENT
Wednesday, December 14, 2016
Crafting the Perfect Chapter – It’s Elementary, My Dears
By Crystal Caudill
Before becoming a stay-at-home-mom, I taught fifth-grade students to analyze writing. I hadn't given much thought to applying what I taught to my own writing until I substitute taught a fifth grade reading class. That day, I discovered a crucial concept for every fiction writer.
Students all over the country are forced to summarize every chapter they read by looking for these key things: Somebody... wants... but... so... then...
We, as writers, need to zero in on every chapter we write to make sure we can answer: Somebody… wants.... but.... so... then...
How do we do this? It's elementary, my dears.
Someone...Who is the central focus of this chapter? This can be one or two characters if you are splitting your story between points of view, but even if there are multiple points of view, a chapter is generally about one person. Who would students identify as the main character for your chapter? One children’s book has five characters, but only one is the focus of each chapter.
Wants...This is the goal of the main character for this chapter only. What is it that the character wants to accomplish in this small timeframe? Often it is a small goal that builds into something bigger. In the children’s novel George Washington’s Socks, Matt wants to return General Washington’s cape.
But...No story is engaging without conflict, and neither is a chapter. What obstacle does the character face? It can be internal or external in nature, but it needs to be plausible and, if possible, unforeseen. Matt’s challenge comes in the form of a captain who believes Matt is a rebel soldier.
So, this is the reaction to the conflict. What does the character do? What does he/she think? Do they change their goal? That is what Matt does. He goes from wanting to return General Washington’s cape to retreating to the safety of the boat. What about the supporting characters? How do they respond to the conflict, and how does their response affect the main character?
Then...This is where a consequence occurs, or an additional problem is added to the plot. There could be a hint to the subplot, or a difficult obstacle the character must face, or it could leave the reader with a cliffhanger. Whichever course you choose, the “then” is used as a hook for the next chapter. Matt’s chapter doesn’t end with him being forced into battle. His “then” is the fatal injury of the only man who can get Matt home.
Somebody… wants… but… so… then… is a quick, easy summary that drives to the heart of a chapter. Do each of your chapters contain these elements? Could you summarize them in this way?
Even scarier.... could a fifth grader?
Crystal Caudill is the author of "dangerously good historical romance," with her work garnering awards from Romance Writers of America and ACFW. She is a stay-at-home mom and caregiver, and when she isn’t writing, Caudill can be found playing board games with her family, drinking hot tea, or reading other great books at her home outside Cincinnati, Ohio.
Crafting the Perfect Chapter – It’s Elementary, My Dears
By Crystal Caudill
Before becoming a stay-at-home-mom, I taught fifth-grade students to analyze writing. I hadn't given much thought to applying what I taught to my own writing until I substitute taught a fifth grade reading class. That day, I discovered a crucial concept for every fiction writer.
Students all over the country are forced to summarize every chapter they read by looking for these key things: Somebody... wants... but... so... then...
We, as writers, need to zero in on every chapter we write to make sure we can answer: Somebody… wants.... but.... so... then...
How do we do this? It's elementary, my dears.
Someone...Who is the central focus of this chapter? This can be one or two characters if you are splitting your story between points of view, but even if there are multiple points of view, a chapter is generally about one person. Who would students identify as the main character for your chapter? One children’s book has five characters, but only one is the focus of each chapter.
Wants...This is the goal of the main character for this chapter only. What is it that the character wants to accomplish in this small timeframe? Often it is a small goal that builds into something bigger. In the children’s novel George Washington’s Socks, Matt wants to return General Washington’s cape.
But...No story is engaging without conflict, and neither is a chapter. What obstacle does the character face? It can be internal or external in nature, but it needs to be plausible and, if possible, unforeseen. Matt’s challenge comes in the form of a captain who believes Matt is a rebel soldier.
So, this is the reaction to the conflict. What does the character do? What does he/she think? Do they change their goal? That is what Matt does. He goes from wanting to return General Washington’s cape to retreating to the safety of the boat. What about the supporting characters? How do they respond to the conflict, and how does their response affect the main character?
Then...This is where a consequence occurs, or an additional problem is added to the plot. There could be a hint to the subplot, or a difficult obstacle the character must face, or it could leave the reader with a cliffhanger. Whichever course you choose, the “then” is used as a hook for the next chapter. Matt’s chapter doesn’t end with him being forced into battle. His “then” is the fatal injury of the only man who can get Matt home.
Somebody… wants… but… so… then… is a quick, easy summary that drives to the heart of a chapter. Do each of your chapters contain these elements? Could you summarize them in this way?
Even scarier.... could a fifth grader?
UPDATE 2021
Crystal Caudill is the author of "dangerously good historical romance," with her work garnering awards from Romance Writers of America and ACFW. She is a stay-at-home mom and caregiver, and when she isn’t writing, Caudill can be found playing board games with her family, drinking hot tea, or reading other great books at her home outside Cincinnati, Ohio.
Find out more at crystalcaudill.com.
Thank you for having me on your blog, Suite T! It is such an honor. I'll be checking for anyone who might have questions. Thank you for reading and God Bless!
ReplyDeleteCrystal, Thank you for your informative post. I love the "Somebody… wants… but… so… then" summary. and am so grateful to have this information for my own writing. Thanks again for sharing.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for commenting. I am so glad the post was helpful.
DeleteThis is great! I'm starting a new book and even though I've written fifteen, it always starts of with, "now how do I do this?"
ReplyDeleteYour post cuts to the chase!
Wow! What an honor to have you comment on my post. Thank you. I am glad that it was a quick, helpful reminder, even after fifteen books. Also, it's good to know that even seasoned writers ask, "now how do I dod this?" when writing a new book. Best wishes on your next project!
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