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How Much Is Too Much?
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Author:  Aris Hunter [ February 5th, 2011, 9:32 am ]
Post subject:  How Much Is Too Much?
After thinking back, and setting aside the usual dangers of the plot, how much danger is too much? Or maybe, how many times a character get hurt (or knocked out, which is apparently something I frequently use) is too many times? Is there a limit that would be wise to keep? Or is it just a 'have at it, if you get ripped to shreds, tough luck, there'll be loads more chances for danger that you can avoid getting hurt and/or knocked unconscious'.

So, how much is too much? Is there a too much?
Author:  Sarah Sawyer [ February 5th, 2011, 12:05 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How Much Is Too Much?
I don't think there's a hard and fast rule. If you're getting feedback that certain elements of your plot (like someone getting knocked out) seem too repetitive, then I would certainly consider revising. That's one of the benefits of good critique partners--they bring fresh eyes to the story!

In general, one thing to keep in mind is that you want your whole story to escalate in tension--external and internal. In that sense, you can never have too much "danger," but danger can take many forms. Physical dangers can help with escalating tension, but there's the law of diminishing returns. When a character first gets knocked out, it's pretty alarming. The second time the reader isn't likely to be as worried as the first time, so it's not as intense of a moment. However, if in your second battle your character ends up with his sword arm broken (using random examples, since I'm not familiar with your story), you've just upped the stakes, which is what you want to be doing through your entire novel.

On a related note, to avoid physical crises and dangers coming across as melodramatic or too much, you want to make it emotionally identifiable. One excellent resource on building the kind of tension that grips a reader is Donald Maass's The Fire in Fiction. He defines the most important sort of tension in a novel as micro-tension "the moment-by-moment tension that keeps the reader in a constant state of suspense over what will happen, not in the story, but in the next few seconds...micro-tension has its basis not in story circumstances or in words: it comes from emotions and not just any old emotions, but conflicting emotions." If you capture this micro-tension, you'll be able to hold the reader better through all sorts of circumstances...and make them care about the physical perils your character faces.

Well, I jumped around a bit here, but I hope you find something that helps with your situation!
Author:  Rachel Newhouse [ February 5th, 2011, 5:37 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How Much Is Too Much?
I agree with all of Sarah's well-written points. I would also add that you should consider your audience. As a general rule, an older audience can handle higher levels of danger and suspense. If you're writing for the younger end of things, however, you want to keep tabs on it. Also, how you portray the danger (in level of intensity) makes a big difference in how it impacts the reader.

Some filmmaking friends and I were discussing the movie Legend of Guardians, and we all thought the slow-motion moments were cheesy and stifled the film. They were overused and badly used.

Then it occurs to me - the movie Bolt has quite a bit of slow-motion, and no one ever notices it. It's used appropriately and effectively, so it doesn't irk the viewer.

Just a thought!
Author:  Aris Hunter [ February 6th, 2011, 7:20 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How Much Is Too Much?
Cool. Thanks for the great info, girls. :)

I did notice a bit of slow-motion in Legend of the Gaurdians, but all I could think of was "That's really cool animation." (OK, maybe not every one, but at least one. :) )
Author:  Sarah Sawyer [ February 10th, 2011, 4:48 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How Much Is Too Much?
You're quite welcome! :)
Author:  Elestar [ February 10th, 2011, 5:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How Much Is Too Much?
Sarah Sawyer has made some excellent points. I also tend to like a sense of reality, even in fantasy fiction, when reading and writing. If the world is full of monsters and evil people, then there's going to be a lot more danger than in one less-evilly populated. However, you mentioned your character gets knocked out a lot, in this world at least, that can lead to concussions.
Author:  Aris Hunter [ February 10th, 2011, 6:49 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How Much Is Too Much?
I don't know if one character gets knocked out a lot, just... a lot of characters get knocked out a lot....

Forgive me if I sound ignorant, but what exactly is a concussion?
Author:  Kiev Shawn [ February 10th, 2011, 7:29 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How Much Is Too Much?
Lady Aris Lillylight wrote:

Forgive me if I sound ignorant, but what exactly is a concussion?


I'd also like to know what a coma is. I mix up "coma" and "concussion" a lot... :P
Author:  Ciela Rose [ February 10th, 2011, 7:58 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How Much Is Too Much?
I'm not sure what a concussion is, but I think that's when your brain doesn't function properly for a while. Symptoms are dizziness, exhaustion, etc.

A coma is when someone is out cold, as in unconcious for several days, probably with low vital signs.

Of course I could've gotten those totally mixed up, but I'm pretty sure that's what comas and concussions are.
There would probably be trauma in there as well.
This is a great post to bring up, Aris, I was wondering about that. :D
Author:  Lady Eruwaedhiel [ February 10th, 2011, 9:07 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How Much Is Too Much?
Concussion

Coma

You're welcome. :)
Author:  Kiev Shawn [ February 11th, 2011, 7:08 am ]
Post subject:  Re: How Much Is Too Much?
Thank you! :)
Author:  Aris Hunter [ February 11th, 2011, 3:11 pm ]
Post subject:  Re: How Much Is Too Much?
Cool. Thanks! ^^
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