“Basics” [Reflections On Ronald B. Tobias’ Book 20 Master Plots Series – #2/7]
In looking at the game we play,
And viewing it by light of day,
He holds up eight ingredients
(‘To boost your yarn’, is what is meant):First, tension (conflict) takes a yarn
And a turbo-boosts it off the farm,
From chewing cud on summer day
To mass stampede, the cow-girl’s way.Take that and spin a larger tale –
Eternal values – then regale
Your readers with the bigger stuff,
Implicit in your story’s fluff.Ramp it up incrementally –
Put to the test each thing you say;
Take Maslow, push things down his chart –
Survival-tale you could impart.Make “change” a focal point of view –
Main characters, come win or lose,
Should grow – events do that to us,
As we rise up above the fuss.If you digress, make that the point;
Though hidden still, such trips anoint
With ending-part to play out then,
Though “Casual” it seems ’till end.Portraits, depictions of some scenes,
Must all be used – keep pages lean;
Illusionists distract for tricks
Like M/S shots in TV flicks.Skip “luck” and “chance” (too much like life) –
It bothers readers – cause the strife;
“Cause and effect” – what yarn’s about –
Hold back, maintain a little doubt –Until the end – main person comes
To do big ending – not just some
Stray person – make the readers care;
Give answers – see if they’re aware.And those are his key principles
To tighten up one’s vehicles
Of thought and feeling, mixed just right,
And kept on track – now lean and tight.Thanks Lord for this.
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