I had the privilege of writing with a group of middle school students recently. As soon as the two leaders of the group began their Power Point presentation on plot, I knew I was going to learn something. According to these two intrepid writers, “Plot is about making a promise to the reader.”
I have been thinking about that ever since. I like to think of plot as a series of questions that get answered or sometimes don’t. I never considered that by presenting a question at the start of a story, that I was promising anything at all. But that’s me as a writer in my free-range habitat of seeing where characters lead me. As a reader, in the hands of a hopefully trustworthy narrator, I would have to agree that at the outset of a story some kind of pact is made between writer and reader. After all, when we finish a book, we often use words like ‘fulfilling’ and ‘satisfying.’ That sounds like a promise made good.
So what exactly are we promising? I think that depends on the questions that get asked. Are we promising that the murderer is caught? That the jilted lover finds solace? That the laborer’s anguish is relieved? Those would fall into the category of happy endings, which certainly can feel nice, however, art is about life, and life is not tidy or simple or always sweet. It seems to me that the promise is about letting the characters reveal themselves as fully as possible to the reader. I don’t mean that every character is transparent; that would be no fun! But each character should have depth, and be grappling with the messiness of living. The promise is that whatever tension is set at the beginning of the story will be dismantled and examined, proven, disproven, reconstructed or dissipated throughout. In other words, the promise will be not only made good, but revised and renewed through better understanding as the characters examine it. We readers know full well when we have arrived somewhere new when we get to the last page. And that is a promise that’s as good as its word.
Upcoming Events
Four-Day Writing Retreat! August 10 – 13, 2021 Hawley, Massachusetts. Let the rolling hills, the evening swifts, the quiet woods, and the excellent organic meals restore your inspiration and spirit. We will write with abandon and listen with respect. All writing interests and experience are welcome. Seven participants maximum; separate bedrooms; vaccination required. $850
Maud & Addie
On June 10th, Maud & Addie came home to cheers in Halifax, Nova Scotia through the Writers’ Federation of Nova Scotia.
Stay tuned for more readings and events with Maud & Addie!
A small portion of proceeds from this book have been donated to the Mi’kmawey Debert Cultural Centre to honor the original and continuing storytellers of the Mi’maq Nation and support the survivors of the Shubenacadie Residential School.
Regal House Publishing: Hard copy & Paperback
iPg Independent Publishing Group: Paperback & Ebook
Prompt Photo
