August Elements Prompt and Discussion: Escalation

I have a scene in Third Pulse (which is ostensibly superhero genre) that's pretty horrible and qualifies as instant escalation. Think I'll post it. It's just a chunk of a much larger scene though.

Done


Posted for August Elements: Escalation

http://www.absolutewrite.com/forums/showthread.php?t=251956

Someone picked up the Elements again! Thanks, Jcomp.

Now, to see if I have anything that fits this.

L.Y. was kind enough to do a bit of a critique and comment on my story fragment (a rather lengthy fragment at 3 chapters), but I'd like to expand on my response just a bit.

There are several escalation points in this portion of the story that I think, when viewed in the greater context of Tge story to this point, represent critical escalation points.

First, there's Max's anger and grief - the first really "human" element some readers might have seen in the character. Heretofore, he's been like a different person, more relaxed, more carefree, with an element of reckless abandon to him. We know Max has deep secrets buried from his past, but he's kept those to himself. For the first time, in this segment, Max reveals that some of those secrets are perhaps best left buried. We also see, I think, in this segment a part of a character who's been deeply hurt by events which, despite his status as a "hero", reveals him as just another psychologically frail human being underneath all the power.

This is an escalation in terms of "character" and the story itself and is, I think, some of the best writing I've done.

Next, there's a series of escalations in terms of story. We see a friend of Max's who maintained a years-long vigil over a memorial, perhaps in hope that the his old friend would one day return. We see the story of Max's "watcher", Dunnigan, reach its conclusion in a hideous and horrible manner, but Dunnigan's ending is the start, perhaps, of another escalation - who are these watchers and how did they bring Dunnigan to this point - but one we probably won't see the conclusion to until the end of the book. Then there's the escalation by the government. The SFPDAPU has been ordered to bring Max in and is pulling out all the stops to do so. Finally, there's the escalation as Bone Wyrm finally steps out if the shadows and reveals himself and his army to Max. The enmity between these two old foes should be palpable (not sure I succeed there). It's obvious that this will not be the final throw-down between these two, but where is this escalation leading? What's the point of this massively destructive confrontation between Max and his foes aside from massive destruction (something which needs no justification in the superhero genre for the most part)?

It's all setup, of course, for the remaining 2/3rds of the book. Heroes (and villains) will fall. Heroes (and villains) will rise. Characters will rise and fall as well - and most importantly, if I do my job right characters will become "human" to the reader rather than cardboard cutouts and caricatures of power and responsibility.

One thing that I do hope starts to come across in this piece is the escalation in Max's "character". He wears the cloak of personal responsibility as a heavy yoke, but he tries to bear up under the circumstances his power and that responsibility continually push him into so much that it's gotten him killed before. Due to his power he's rather frivolous regarding death for the most part, but he knows death up close and personal. I hope readers get the idea that Max isn't quite aware of the fact that, for everyone else, death is quite permanent, that he keeps hoping his one true love will someday return like he has.

Here again, is another escalation point - Max must come to learn that for everyone else death is a real thing he'll never quite understand, but he must come to respect and come to terms with. He's never come to terms with his wife's (Dark Star) death nor the deaths of thousands of others in the First and Second Pulse Wars. As the Third Pulse War erupts without Max at the head of the heroes army, can Max come to terms with death and his own personal responsibility?

Obviously, escalation is a key in storytelling, but it's escalation not only in terms of stakes, but in character, issues, story, and many perhaps even the author's voice, as well.

FOTSGreg, your posting is tough to follow. I was thinking about submitting something, but could I delineate the points of escalation within the context of my 'story'? And so eloquently? I doubt it.

Then, of course, there's the question of suitability: Does my story fragment fit 'escalation' parameters? And, if not, what horror(s) might befall me? You guys are scary.

You know what? Heck with it. Posting now. . .

Yuppers! Posting good. Getting responses is even better as it allows the author to see possible problems they might otherwise overlook.

So, I was kicking this around all day in my head. What really "escalates" things for me. I don't have a specific example exactly, but it's kind of a trope that you see often. And I guess it *could* be a cheap trick. But if it's done right, for me, it's INSTANT escalation, especially in horror.

It's the: Wait--there are children! (Or a baby or something...you know what I mean.)

For me this is a big escalator. You can be cruising right along, all the horror stuff is happening and you're thinking--"Just get out! Get out now! Cut your losses and screw everyone else!"

But...then you find out there are children/babies involved.

For me, as a parent especially, this is the point where everything just gets extra dire.

If I think of any good examples, I'll come back and post them. But I'm wondering what others think about this?

Is it overused? *Is* it a cheap trick?

It's not a "trick" if it works for you.

Because we're all (mostly) human, placing human offspring at risk automatically raises the stakes if we have an ounce of humanity (I have about a half-ounce) as human children are notoriously dependent on their parents and other adults and virtually incapable of defending themselves (which is why I believe they should be handed a bone knife at the age of 1 and left alone in the woods late at night). It's curious that a species that is the planet's top level predator should have children so helpless for so long. How did they ever get to be top level predators? Further study of the species has been recommended (postponing planetary sterilization until the Grey Council passes judgement on our research proposal funding).