While you could argue that everything that comes before the final climactic ending of a story is actually there just to set up said climax. In reality, stories have many segments, pieces and parts, but sometimes what Iwrite really is only about setting up something that happens much later in the story. That’s the position I found myself in when I arrived at chapter twenty three. On one hand, I found myself asking, “Okay, what happens now that Shahdow has killed his first vile beast?” As far as the main plot goes that meant I had to address how bad he’s hurt, what the appearance of the monster means to the kingdom and the unfolding prophecy, and a number of other things. But then I started letting things run forward in my head as far as what all this would mean way down the road–and I do mean “way down!”, and I realized there were some future things I needed to set up before I worried too much about the current situation. However, I thought there was a way to weave those things into the current events to progress the main plot along too. Hopefully that ended up being both somewhat satisfying as far as how the whole aftermath of the battle played out as well as being thought provoking when it comes to the foreshadowing of coming events piece. Let’s take a look…
EHLSEWHERE Chapter Twenty Three
Well, let me address something I wasn’t expecting first, something that I think is important to the overall story…”pacing”. The last chapter was pretty intense, with a climatic ending. Given that, I think the setting of this chapter with it’s much calmer atmosphere was a good thing. I like stories that ebb and flow. Here, that lets the reader catch their breath while at the same time asking, “What’s next?” Now, for the most part, their question doesn’t get answered because I chose to focus more on the long term aspects–the foreshadowing, but we do find out that there are likely a lot more vile beasts out there, as well as getting an expanded character arch for Prince Dharis, who hopefully the readers aren’t quite sure what to think about at this point. Over all, I liked the chapter’s flow and tone, and it made me–if not the readers really start to wonder just where this whole thing might end up before its all done. I think I mostly have that figured out by the way…and yes, at some point, if I’m right, Shahdow will be standing on Eagle’s Reach looking out over the land he’s destined to rule. Is that a certainty…no. In case I haven’t made it clear before, at least for me, the story largely writes itself.
May your days be filled with laughter and joy,
Mike
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