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| Photo courtesy of JamesScottBell.com |
The “Mirror Moment”
Bell outlines is exactly that, a moment in a scene, not an entire scene,
reflecting the midpoint of your novel. It’s that moment when the protagonist “takes
stock of where he/she is in the conflict” and assesses what to do in order to
be successful.
On determining this "moment", the author is able to move backwards in building to the midpoint and then forwards in forming the transformation that needs to take place.
I found in my current WIP I was stuck with too many conflicts which was leading me down too many dead ends. Being able to crystalise this moment has allowed me to remove the nebulous conflicts and drive harder towards a resolution.
On determining this "moment", the author is able to move backwards in building to the midpoint and then forwards in forming the transformation that needs to take place.
I found in my current WIP I was stuck with too many conflicts which was leading me down too many dead ends. Being able to crystalise this moment has allowed me to remove the nebulous conflicts and drive harder towards a resolution.
In providing practical
examples from both famous novels and movies Bell effectively demonstrates the
power this gives the author in both setting up the story and taking it through
to its end. Two of the movies he refers to: Lethal
Weapon and The Fugitive are ones
I know very well and so I had one of those “aha” moments when he relayed their
“look in the mirror moment.”
Bell outlines how this
works for the plotter, the pantser (that’s me) and everyone in between. He also
references how it impacts the character-driven and plot-driven approaches to a
novel.
Ian Acheson is an author
and strategy consultant based in Northern Sydney. Ian's first novel of
speculative fiction, Angelguard, is now available in the US, UK, Canada and Australia. You can
find more about Angelguard at Ian's website, on his author Facebook page and Twitter
Thanks for that Ian. I've had that book on my "to read" list for a while, but I'll move it up the order. Sounds like a really practical guide :)
ReplyDeleteHi Nola, and you'll read it very quickly. The Kindle version is the less than the cost of a cuppa so if you're able to read Kindle docs then it's very well worth it.
DeleteI agree, Ian. This is definitely worth reading, and you've provided a good review.
ReplyDeleteThanks Iola. I think I've seen your review a few months ago which I thought gave an excellent summary of the book's key points.
DeleteThis was another book of his that switched on a light bulb for me, Ian. I just checked through my last M/S to check the 'mirror moment'. And like e says, it definitely defines the plot and the characters.
ReplyDeleteSounds like you didn't need to read it then, Rita, as you get the concept already. Well done on capturing the essence of the mirror moment in your MS.
DeleteI agree, Ian. Well worth reading. Really enjoyed hearing JSB speak at the RWNZ conference and showing those moments on the big screen. I'm a visual learner so it really helped!
ReplyDeleteYes, that would have been great seeing JSB demonstrate it on the screen. Did he use some of the movies he mentions in the book to illustrate it as well?
DeleteThanks, Andrea, for popping by to share your endorsement. Bless,
I've heard of this one. Really should read it. I'm keen to see how this enhances what I've already learned about story structure.
ReplyDeleteHi Adam. As I mentioned, it's a quick read, cheap if you buy the Kindle version and is full of lots of good tips on story structure. Even if you don't learn anything new it will reinforce many of the points you've previously learnt.
DeleteHi Ian, I agree, it's a helpful book. He talked about the midpoint during his workshop at the RWAustralia conference, and I remember he used a number of examples from The Fugitive.
ReplyDeleteThanks for that Ian. It is not a book I was familiar with
ReplyDelete