Comments on: Turning Points: A Better Way

By: Melissa Blue

Melissa Blue — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 20:27:41 +0000

I’m a Cherry, so I heard about turning points all the time when the forum was on fire. It didn’t click for me until I went to a workshop by a woman named Robin something. She said that a turning point should be the character facing one of their fears. And, then you started talking about Tell Me Lies a while back *around the same time*.and how Maddie was making the wrong decisions at every turning point. Her MacGuffin (I know I’m getting that name wrong, so forgive me) was protecting her daughter. She was going about it all wrong. But, with Lani’s definition it makes sense now. I didn’t get how Maddie doing it wrong fit with turning points. Each hinge was just turning Maddie to the right way she was supposed to protect her daughter.

Must mull over this some more. I love structure. At least when I write.

By: helen

helen — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 18:07:12 +0000

Yes, this makes utter sense and for my money it dovetails with what screenwriter the Chris Soth/UCLA film school’s mini-movie method says about structuring a script to sustain tension.
Essentially, each mini-segment within an act (which divides a script/book into 8 turning points in total) should trigger the battle between hope/fear. And what more organic a way to trigger tension than with a decision by the protagonist?

By: Beki

Beki — Tue, 11 Aug 2009 03:51:22 +0000

I am so looking forward to the revisions class with Lani and this does nothing to help me wait. My nails are being chewed here. This is good stuff!

By: Kim Eymard

Kim Eymard — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 19:29:23 +0000

bizarre. I was just re-reading then scene today where Maddie opens the safe deposit box and then I read this blog entry……

By: Shar

Shar — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 16:15:46 +0000

Even non-writers use hinges. Hated my fat body. Within 24 hours of each other, two complete strangers, one in a yarn store, and one at a tack shop, told me how wonderful they felt after success at weight watchers. Talk about cue cards for life, or hinges opening new paths. One year later and 35 pounds less and my body is just fine, and I’m always aware of the possibility of hinges.

By: Brooke

Brooke — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 03:23:03 +0000

I’ve been thinking about this for two days straight, and not only is it completely brilliant, it gives me hope that I actually can develop the skills to complete a novel I like. Turning points always baffled me, but this is so simple, and so do-able.
Sorry to go all fan-girl on you guys, but this is really something. Thank you, Lani, and thank you Jenny for broadcasting it.

By: Sure thing

Sure thing — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 18:37:14 +0000

Tee hinge for something set around a golf course?
Lift-off hinge for he space program.
I could go on.

By: McB

McB — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 12:28:11 +0000

Oh my. That list of hinges presents all sorts of ideas for plotting points and chapter heads. The flush and coach hinges would be helpful in a Regency romance.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Sun, 09 Aug 2009 01:36:14 +0000

The Rising Butt Hinge sounds like a particular kind of turning point.

By: robena grant

robena grant — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 23:11:27 +0000

Okay, so turning points as hinges. I get that. I went to Wikipedia and found this list of lesser known hinges. They sound like turning points or act titles. ; )
Counterflap Hinge
Flush Hinge
Coach Hinge
Rising Butt Hinge
Double action spring hinge
Tee Hinge
Friction Hinge
Security Hinge
Cranked or ‘Stormproof’ Hinge
Lift-off Hinges
Self closing Hinges
Butt Hinge

By: Kelly J

Kelly J — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 22:58:20 +0000

Jenny,
Your Turning Points RWA session was one of the most helpful things I have ever heard about writing – I cannot wait for your writing book. Thanks so much for the lecture, and also for telling us about Lani’s workshop.

By: Lori J.

Lori J. — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 22:41:20 +0000

I think it’s also important to remember that turning points don’t change the original story goal. That’s a biggie. And easier said than done.

Also, Jenny, I haven’t found anything on the net, in books or anywhere else that is up to par with the HW/SW notes I have and still use.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 17:59:02 +0000

Lani has one space in her revision class and the discovery class is full, but she’s keeping a waiting list, so if anybody drops out or doesn’t follow through with the payment, she’ll fill in the slots from that list.

She really is great.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 17:30:51 +0000

Wow. I concur. Lani rules. I never really thought about it that way. I’ve been having some minor plotting issues (almost identical to your example – a heroine who is being forced to change by fate – booorrrring) but I think this will go a long way towards fixing them. Thanks.

By: Slave Driver

Slave Driver — Sat, 08 Aug 2009 17:27:23 +0000

Lani does rule! (You do too ) She helped me so much with her critique of my MS that I cannot recommend her revision class strongly enough. So if you wonkers out there haven’t signed up for it yet you are missing out!

And so sorry to see Wolfie wearing the “Cone of Shame” as the dogs in “UP!” call it.