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Interesting articles on Layering in Fiction and Multiverse…

Writer's picture: Sandra BarretSandra Barret

Writer Unboxed has an interesting article by Victoria Mixon on Layering in fiction. The author talks about three types of layering:

  1. Novel-layering-where you alternate between plotlines by switching, one chapter at a time, for example, between developing plot One and in the next chapter, develop plot Two.  This continues as each plotline moves closer to the other until they collide as a major change point in your novel.

  2. Scene layering – where you alternate the ‘tone’ of each scene to mix up the novel. For example, a funny scene, then serious,  then action-packed etc.

  3. detail-level layering – where you add the small details to each scene that draws the picture, but also, and most importantly, highlights something important. Don’t talk about the MC’s raven hair unless there’s some significance to it (e.g. that it proves she is the daughter of King, and not the lowly peasant she grew up as).

Read the original article… it’s much better.

Then, on to the multiverse!  I’ve always gotten a kick out of thinking of parallel universes and what possibilities there are for stories.  I had story pop out of a very detailed dream wherein a cop had to chase down a murderer through multiple parallel universes, wherein said killer was bumping off the same person in every universe. Sooo much fodder there for a really fun story (or novella)…must write that some day.

Anyway, Lynn Vhiel talks about the multiverse after hearing an interview with Brian Greene on his new book that talks about the real-world possibility of parallel universes. I’d seen him interviewed on the Colbert Report and thought it was an interesting book. (I’ve since downloaded the sample chapters for Kindle and it seems very readable for a scientific book).

…makes me wonder if AlternateMe has already written that parallel universe story (and did she do a better job than I will?  hmph).

So what do you think your alternate selves are up to?

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