The falling action in a story is everything that happens between the climax and the return to a stable, resting state. A good falling action gives the reader a sense that the story is over, and also hints at what life will be like for the characters in the future.
Whether you're revising a story you've written or outlining something new, take stock of your falling action. Make a list of your plot lines, both major and minor. How do you want each one to resolve? Do you want things to have changed for the better, changed for the worse, or stayed the same? Remember, it's good to have a mix. Once you've decided how each plot line resolves, be sure you convey those changes to the reader in the falling action.
A good way to do this is by using ending beats, which we will talk more about next week. For now, an ending beat is a snapshot of the new life as usual. To really finish off a major plot line, use at least three ending beats. Minor plot lines probably only need one.
Last of all, make sure the falling action in your story is short but sufficient. Go on too long, and you're writing into the sequel. The new life as usual only needs to be hinted at, not experienced in scene for pages and pages. As with all writing, the goal is to guide the reader's imagination. Find a balance between dictating everything and leaving too much open.
Happy writing!
No comments:
Post a Comment