I'm determined to write a Grand Argument Story
Posted: Jan 27, 2010 6:16 pm
Chris, or anyone.
Problem no. 1 - Two kinds of Sequences:
Thematic: From the theory book I've learned that there are six sequences in a Grand Argument Story. In fact, there is a nice metaphor of someone traveling through a two-wing three-story mansion in the theory book. I simply use all possible pairs (6) of the four VARIATIONS under the TYPE that I picked for the OS CONCERN. Each of three acts gets two sequences, and each act gets one of the pairs that contains the ISSUE. This is very clear. What isn't clear is:
1. I don't do this for all four throughlines, do I? That would make 24 Thematic Sequences: an 8-wing 3 story mansion, or a 2-wing 12-story mansion, neither makes sense to me. Maybe a story is actually four separate 2-wing, 3-story mansions...
2. Why are these sequences not mentioned in the software anywhere?
Structural: The Plot Sequence Report addresses this one. The theory book directs that I examine each signpost (TYPE) in terms of its four VARIATIONS seperately. That's 16 more sequences (4 throughlines x 4 VARIATIONS each)
Problem no. 2 - How to combine:
The theory book finally says that both are necessary. So I need a mental model of how to combine 6 thematic and 16 structural sequences. Can you help me?
Problem no. 1 - Two kinds of Sequences:
Thematic: From the theory book I've learned that there are six sequences in a Grand Argument Story. In fact, there is a nice metaphor of someone traveling through a two-wing three-story mansion in the theory book. I simply use all possible pairs (6) of the four VARIATIONS under the TYPE that I picked for the OS CONCERN. Each of three acts gets two sequences, and each act gets one of the pairs that contains the ISSUE. This is very clear. What isn't clear is:
1. I don't do this for all four throughlines, do I? That would make 24 Thematic Sequences: an 8-wing 3 story mansion, or a 2-wing 12-story mansion, neither makes sense to me. Maybe a story is actually four separate 2-wing, 3-story mansions...
2. Why are these sequences not mentioned in the software anywhere?
Structural: The Plot Sequence Report addresses this one. The theory book directs that I examine each signpost (TYPE) in terms of its four VARIATIONS seperately. That's 16 more sequences (4 throughlines x 4 VARIATIONS each)
Problem no. 2 - How to combine:
The theory book finally says that both are necessary. So I need a mental model of how to combine 6 thematic and 16 structural sequences. Can you help me?