How to use pressure to drive your story (Jon Vorhaus says…)
In his book, “Creativity Rules,” published in 2000 by Silman-James Press, John Vohaus discusses how to use pressure and conflict to drive your story forward in a way that will keep the reader wondering what will happen next. Here are a few of his tips, starting with what he calls the “change bomb,” the thing that starts the action of your story:
“[One] way to plant the change bomb is just to ask what does my character value most in the world and how can I take it away? You want your change bomb to be a vigorous event.
The truth is revealed under pressure.
Even if you don’t like conflict, learn to confront your characters.
Look for types of pressure appropriate to the type of story you’re telling.
Just by listing the types of pressures present in your story, you give yourself lots of new information about where your story might go. It helps when you get stuck. Instead of asking ‘what happens next?’ ask ‘what new pressure can I introduce?’
The pressure/response piston:
• Pressure: Cory had a crush on a new girl, Rochelle.
• Response: He asked her for a date.
• Pressure: She laughed in his face.
• Response: He ran away.
• Pressure: She told all his friends.
Pressure should escalate. Return to your theme, and orient your escalating pressures around it. Theme is your train. Pressure is your engine.
To cure stalling, make each event bigger than the last. Don’t fear the wrong choice.”
(Another book that will help you create powerful stories is my own “Your Writing Coach,” published by Nicholas Brealey and available at online and offline retailers. For more information, see www.yourwritingcoach.com.)