The Writer's Brain Takes the Plot a Different Direction

[mmerriam]

One of the things driving the POV character (Richard) to do some of the things he does and make some of the decisions he makes is the magical contract he created with Holly (he will do thing X for Holly, after which Holly will do thing Y for him).

I just realized as I was working on Chapter Seven that--technically--the terms of the contract were fulfilled back in Chapter Two, though neither of them realize it, since they are both quite focused on their goals.

Now I have to decide whether I want to go with it and let the plot run on with the characters working under a mistaken assumption or if I should go back and take out the technicality. I'm leaning toward the first, because frankly, it seems like it might have the best potential for plot twisty goodness, as opposed to the second, which sets up more in the way of dark plot angst.

What to do, what to do?

Dark Water Blues

Comments

[will-couvillier.livejournal.com]

Plot twisty = good.

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

True!

[tiny-wings.livejournal.com]

The question would be whether the reader knows the terms of the contract have already been fulfilled...

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

Well, it took me five chapters to realize it, and I'm the one writing the darned thing!

It happens so fast, everyone, characters and readers all, are in the middle of this frantic bit of action, where there really isn't any time to stop and think about what just happened.

[greykev.livejournal.com]

as a reader, if I caught it in two I'd be waiting for the shoe to drop, and irritated if one or the other didn't figure out soon.

Either Holly realizes her part of the bargain is due with intended task X undone, or Richard realizes he needn't do intended X and could demand his half of the bargain. Aside from plot twisty conflict it's a good chance for character development; does Richard care enough about Holly and/or what she wanted him to do that he'll do it without compulsion/reward? Will Holly be honest and renegotiate or hope that Richard doesn't notice and she'll get what she wants after all?

Bonus twist: he figures it out but decides to go along anyway, she works it out but doesn't realize he has too and does her best to snow him. Does she feel remorse? does he feel resentment? is there hope for their budding friendship?

[tiny-wings.livejournal.com]

Pretty much what I thought too. I wouldn't want to be reading on since that chapter two and be like, WHY are they doing this if they don't need to?? You'll have to be very careful how you go about it...

That said, I think plot twistiness is better than angst.

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

Those are some good points. I hate it when a plot revolves or resolves around a character doing something stupid, or not realizing something they should have known.

It gets even more interesting if one of them realizes it and the other doesn't.

Early on, Richard wouldn't tell Holly because he wants the thing he wants. He might tell her in chapter five or six, when he starts seeing her as a person he is starting to care for, as opposed to a half-bred unseelie monster. At that point he would stay the course and doing thing X she asked for, even without the reward of Y, because he wants her to have X and he wants to stick it in the eye of those who would harm Holly.

If Holly knows, she wouldn't tell Richard because she desperately needs him to do thing X, even though she doesn't want to do Y in return. She might keep silent even now, knowing she can have her thing and not need to complete her end of the bargain. Actually, at this point she might tell him as well.

It also occurred to me that the incident in chapter two might not have been sufficient to fulfill both terms of the contract, but Richard's death--short as it was--might have negated it.

I need to stop and consider the rules governing magic in this bit of world building.

[ken-schneyer.livejournal.com]

Sounds like you need a contract lawyer. My rates are reasonable...

[mmerriam.livejournal.com]

LOL!