A Plot Line Apocalypse
Driving away from town today, the radio finally played something worth hearing- "Clint Eastwood" by Gorillaz; and when I was pulling into my destination, the line "I got sunshine in a bag" played. Such a visceral image, I saw it then, a bag full of sunshine...or something like it. Something that feels like it sustains the world. Something to revolve around.
And I saw my character holding it, saw his future, saw his uselessness coming to an end.
There's a lot of things that one line could mean; there's a lot that comes after it and before it, and it all added up to one brilliant moment of clarity. Something really clicked for me in that moment. I sat in the parking lot a little dumbfounded because the plot line for my work in progress, the very plot line that has been holding up the entire project, fell into place. It was as unexpected as it was distressing, and yet, I fear that it's always needed to happen just like this.
I've been struggling for years to resolve the plot line for one of the characters in September Caterpillars. Every time I tried to see the ending for this character, what I came up with was at best, contrived, and at worst, hollow. What's the point of building up a character -what's the point of reading about a character- who's got nothing to say?
I wanted him to say something about hope. And ultimately, there is a lot of hope in his story, it just doesn't look the way I thought it would; and it is far, far more catastrophic than I ever anticipated.
***
Fun fact- we know the term apocalypse as it refers to destruction on a complete and catastrophic level. But something that might be a fun revelation to you, is that in the Bible, the Greek word apocalypse more often refers to a divine mystery being revealed (such as Paul's experience on the road to Damascus).
I am both troubled and pleased that for this post, either meaning for the word applies, because this character's plot line has been shot through with a most cruel destruction, but it is in that destruction that the meaning of his story is revealed.
Have you ever had a plot line apocalypse?
Comments
Thank you so much for reading through my blog! It is so encouraging to me! I loved our chat on Sunday- we need to catch up more soon. Did you plot through your entire Series of Hope with 7 books planned, or did you start with the first book and branch out from there?
As for my Series of Hope, well it took me about 14 or so years just to write the first one with the plot as it should be... From there, the books just kept coming. After my third, I thought I was finished, but then a fourth, fifth, and sixth one followed, both to my dismay and delight. I say this because I love writing these characters and don't like seeing them die, but between Book One and the seventh in the series, over 20 years have elapsed. But I can't help but wonder what it will be like ending it, since I've grown so attached to most of them.
So to sum up your question,I planned the first one,somewhat, till the characters began writing themselves and then I definitely branched out from there with no clear vision of the subsequent stories. At least not until they began to unfold in time as the inspiration came over me. Thanks for responding- I'll hold you to catching up!I don't know about you, but I like coffee. :)
Have a good day, Sarah!