Comments on: Structure Part 3—Introducing the Opposition

By: shellchild

shellchild — Sun, 05 May 2013 22:03:23 +0000

Great Post Kristen, keep it coming. For me writing a middle grade sci-fi, locking down the BBT is easy, the hard part is making them strong and not too cliched. Avoiding cliche the hardest part about following the ‘rules’ of any art-form. I learned a lot from my time playing jazz guitar, that in order to break the rules and not look like an amateur, you first have to be very confident with those rules and how to break them – with style.

By: CrystalSpins

CrystalSpins — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 04:38:46 +0000

Okay, it’s day five of NaNoWriMo, and I have been able to write for three of the days. And a large problem is emerging. My protag is currently more likable than the antag. I’m actually thinking about continuing the first part of the book from the antag perspective and then ending it from the protag’s perspective.

By: E.b. Black

E.b. Black — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 19:04:17 +0000

I get all of this and can do all of this, but still this post made me nervous because the first book series I will be publishing doesn’t follow one of these rules. And that is the whole “happily ever after” for the couple in my first romance novel series. (The other ones will have HEAs, just not this series.) The BBTs are defeated in my novels, but their defeat results in character growth and not HEAs for the couples. It seems next to impossible for me to have HEAs, too, because I’m re-writing greek myths (almost all of which are tragedies) without changing any parts of the stories. Instead, I’m arranging the stories from new perspectives of the events to make the stories look new, but still all the events happen the same, including all their tragic endings. I hope my books can be an exception.

By: Kate

Kate — Mon, 22 Oct 2012 23:04:47 +0000

I love my BBTs to be the biggest and baddest. Like you said, in the beginning, I want to dread the BBT because I can’t imagine how the hero could ever win. Seeing everything the hero does and learns in order to defeat the BBT and feeling the impossibility become a teensy glimmer of hope is one of my favorite parts in any story.

By: Iren Engeset

Iren Engeset — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 16:31:42 +0000

I’m so glad I found your blog!! Finally some constructive and informative writing on writing!! Thank you ever so much

By: Structure Part 6–Getting Primal & Staying Simple « Kristen Lamb's Blog

Mon, 15 Oct 2012 21:44:10 +0000

[...] a sequel, understand the three-act dramatic structure. You also understand that the antagonist—or Big Boss Troublemaker—is the engine of your story. Without the BBT, your protagonist’s world would remain unchanged. The BBT’s agenda drives the [...]

By: Kozo Hattori

Kozo Hattori — Mon, 15 Oct 2012 00:40:46 +0000

Thank you, Kristen, for this clear and concise posting on BBT. I have a question. The novel I’m planning on writing for NaNoWriMo has a protagonist who must confront his ego. The BBTs of this character flaw are jail, divorce, financial ruin, and low self-esteem. Does this seem too obvious? Can you think of any classic/great novels that are structured similarly?

By: Daphne Shadows

Daphne Shadows — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 17:50:37 +0000

I love the way you break everything down. Makes so much more sense!

By: Bad Parenting Plus Experiments Equals Supervillains | Diana Beebe's Blog

Bad Parenting Plus Experiments Equals Supervillains | Diana Beebe's Blog — Tue, 09 Oct 2012 05:29:41 +0000

[...] problems, but they are the antagonists who must exist for Peter Parker to exist. I love what Kristen Lamb says about conflict–no conflict, no story. Promotional poster of Sensational Spider-Man #34. Art by Sean [...]

By: Structure Part 5–Keeping Focused & Nailing the Pitch–Understand Your “Seed Idea” « Kristen Lamb's Blog

Mon, 08 Oct 2012 19:00:43 +0000

[...] from a flawed structure. In Lesson Three we discussed the single most important component to plot, the opposition, and last week I gave you a tested method to make sure your core idea was solid enough to be the [...]