JoHoTo #7 Foreshadowing & Conflict Development, Part One
Deus ex machina.
It's pronounced "DAY-us EX MAH-kin-a", and you've probably seen the term before.
The literal translation is "God from a Machine", and it comes from ancient times when the Greeks would put on plays and introduce one of the gods
to the story, bringing the actor to the stage on some sort of machine (a crane or a riser from the floor). Oftentimes, the god appeared to resolve
conflict and save the day without being mentioned at any point earlier in the story. It was a convenient and easy way to wrap up a tale.
But we've come a long way, baby.
Deus ex machina is now seen as a pathetic plot device used by amateurs who don't plan for the ending of their book (ask me how I REALLY feel about it).
At the last minute, when it seems doom is imminent for the main character, suddenly...they realize they have the ability to fly! And they escape the
bad guy. The End.
Agents will not like this. Editors will not like this. Readers will not like this.
This is why we have foreshadowing. When your reader gets to the point where the main character resolves the conflict, it must be believable.
To make it believable, you must have left an impression in the reader's mind that such an event was bound to happen based on the events that
preceded it.
Example, you ask? Of course. (SPOILER FOLLOWS)
The Hunger Games:
When the Games get down to just the two contestants from District 12 (Katniss and Peeta), the Capitol announces that only one contestant will
survive (earlier they'd been told if both contestants from a district were the last standing, they'd both win). Since neither Kat nor Peeta wants
to kill the other, Kat devises a plan that they will both pretend to eat a poison berry and die, meaning no winner for the Games. As soon as they
put the berries in their mouths, the Capitol changes their mind AGAIN and announces them both the winners.
Foreshadowing Points:
-Through stories from Kat about the kind things Peeta has done for her and by seeing her and Peeta in action, you understand that it would NEVER
be possible for them to kill each other.
-Earlier in the story, Peeta had picked several of the berries, thinking they were edible, and one of the other contestants had tried to sneak some
of them to eat. Kat and Peeta saw her die and knew the berries were poisonous, and Kat put a couple in her pocket just in case she might need to use
them on another contestant later.
-Throughout the story, the Capitol is perceived as being all about appearance and keeping up their image. Kat knew there would be a massive uproar
if NOBODY won the Hunger Games, so she used that to her advantage. It was also made known throughout the novel that the audience LOVES Kat and Peeta.
If neither of them won, there would be serious outrage.
Your foreshadowing points should add depth and detail to the story. They shouldn't seem forced into the text: "I'd better keep this knife hidden in
my boot at all times. Who knows when I might need it to resolve a conflict?"
The audience should sense the foreshadowing but not focus on it. Usually, this means reiterating your conflict resolver SEVERAL times through the story.
If you mention a hidden knife once at the beginning of the book, the audience won't remember it at the end.
What does all this have to do with conflict development, you ask? Find out in Part Two!
Move on to JoHoTo #7, Part Two!
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