In late January, after a period of bitter cold weather, the temperature spiked into the 60's, luring furry creatures out of their warm shelters. As I walked along, a red tailed hawk swooped in front of me. The object of her search, a fluffy gray squirrel, darted for cover. The hawk retreated to the branch of an oak tree, where she perched patiently, fluffing her feathers and scanning the winter woods for other possibilities. For the hawk, and for the squirrel, timing is everything, just as it is for the writer of children's books.
I've just finished Susan Gregg Gilmore's coming of age novel, "Looking for Salvation at the Dairy Queen," and, coincidentally, watched a movie, "Easy Virtue," based on a Noel Coward play. In both works, a key fact is revealed at just the right moment, and the plot twists, leading to an unexpected climax. In "Salvation," a death is explained. In "Virtue," a character's questionable deeds come to light.
When does the writer place his wild card on the table? What clues must the writer subtly provide so that the reader mutters, "Aha!" instead of "Now where did that come from?"
Timing is an art, and the writer, like the hawk, must get it right, or perish.
Thursday, February 4, 2010
A Matter of Timing
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Aahhh...yes.... The sprinkling of hints to what will later be revealed. Didn't someone say if a character's going to be shot in chapter 20, there better be a gun in chapter 5.
ReplyDeleteIt's the same thing - the writer has to lace the work with hints and foreshadowing. If the reader says, "Now where did that come from?" the writer didn't do her job well.
'What clues must the writer subtly provide so that the reader mutters, "Aha!" instead of "Now where did that come from?"'
ReplyDeleteYes, exactly the right question.
well said. If only I knew when I've got it right!
ReplyDeleteA great question without a great answer from me. Although I do think I'm getting better at placing the gun in chapter 5, as Meg said.
ReplyDeleteAnd that's what critique groups are for: too early, too late, or just right.
ReplyDeleteI just finished reading the Newbery for 2010, WHEN YOU REACH ME, and I had to go back and reread to see how she placed clues. Not sure I agree with the placements right before the climax. Still pondering.
ReplyDeleteI love reading books where the ending is unexpected and unbelievable. :)
ReplyDelete