Denise Bossarte's "Glamorous" Novel - Story Process Part 3: "Act 1"

"Glamorous" Story Process Part 3: "Act 1"

 
The first act introduces the reader to the story, the theme, the main characters, and pulls the reader into the narrative. It is composed of the following 6 elements. 
[This information is taken from Blake Snyder's book Save The Cat]

Opening Image - gives the reader the first impression of what the story is - its tone, its mood, the type and scope of the story. It is what hooks the reader into the story and let's them know what kind of ride they are in for in the novel.

You can read the first 5 pages of my novel "Glamorous" and hear a podcast by 2 editors on these first pages here.

Theme stated - in the beginning of the story, someone (usually not the main character) will make a statement or pose a question that is the theme of the story. 

In "Glamorous" DL presents the theme in a statement to Grace in the second chapter. Sorry, no spoilers here, you'll have to wait for the book!

Set-up - The first 30 or so pages of the story where author grabs the reader. It's where the author "sets-up" the hero, the stakes and the goal of the story. It is where the reader learns what might be missing from the hero's life, what the hero might be lacking, what the hero might want. This is where the reader sees the world before the adventure begins.

Catalyst - The life changing event that often come disguised as bad news. The catalyst is not always what it seems. It appears to be the opposite of good news, but by the time the adventure is over it is what leads to the hero's happiness.

In "Glamorous" Grace's reading of Beth is the Catalyst. Sorry, no spoilers here, you'll have to wait for the book!

Debate  - This is the last chance for the hero to say "This is crazy" and to question whether they want to move forward with what the catalyst has shown them. 

In "Glamorous" Grace's evaluating DL's case and questioning whether to take the case is the debate.

Break into Two - This is the moment the decision is made, something big happens, and the hero leaves the old work behind to move into a new world that is the upside down version of the old world. The hero cannot be lured, tricked, or drift into the next Act; they must make the decision to proceed for themselves.


In "Glamorous" the break occurs when Grace decides to take DL's case.

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