MICE

From Orson Scott Card: pg 76 - 83

The Milieu Story – Focusing on the world as set for the transformation about to take place in the main character – the journey place to escape from or go back home from ; told by a stranger since everything is new.

Starting point: when he she arrives

Ending point: when they leave

The Idea Story – Finding out a problem or a main issue that we do not know or are not aware of and learn this throughout the story. Common is detective stories.  A question is raised and the people need to find out or…

Starting point: as close to the raising of the main question

Ending point: when they find out what was going on

The Character Story – the effects of change in characters; their transformation and process throughout the story. 

Starting point: at the point when the main character becomes so unhappy impatient or angry in their present role that they begin the process of change.

Ending point: when they either settle into the new role or give up and remain in the old one

Note – we need to know what characters are changing from but writers need to give a sense of direction very early for the reader to understand why they are reading this.

The Event Story – Here, something is wrong with the world; it is out of order and it needs to be set right.

Starting point: not when it becomes chaotic, but at the point where the character whose actions are most crucial to establishing the new order becomes involved in the struggle.

Ending point: when the new order is established, or when the old order is restored or when there really is chaos.

Note – don’t write a prologue!

Currently, I am heading towards Keper’s transformation process, which is the Character Story, but I am nervous about this. 

I could try to rework the story into an Event story BEFORE the Exodus and make it into a ‘save the world’ process, but I worry about this too.

Yes, I will worry about anything.

However, I am not sure where Keper is to transform into what exactly?  And thus I am stuck on the direction of the novel.  I have a feeling I should have a clear ending in sight at least and then if it gets sidetracked due to the writing, then that is ok.

With the pre exodus story, there is a whole background that could be mined and that is the reason for the need of Messiahs.  However, the time line is not good – it is too long.  Conrad was a main character all through the stories but he is older now and writing by skipping 20 or so years at a pop is unsatisfying (at least to me).

With the 2129 start date, at least we have a shorter time frame of breakage to occur, condensing the action and story.

But what is the main point?