“If you have a story that seems worth telling, and you think you can tell it worthily, then the thing for you to do is to tell it, regardless of whether it has to do with sex, sailors or mounted policemen.” —Dashiell Hammett,
How to write a "true" novel, create realistic characters, settings, plot, and tensions, and keep the readers' interest without becoming melodramatic? (Melodrama being characterized by sentimentality, hysterics, over the top emotional intensity and language and action).
Revelations fuel the plot--think of the many novels you've read in which the revelation turned the entire story on its head--Rochester's wife in the attic, the diary in Gone Girl is a total hoax, Dorothy realizes she can go home. It is the characters' reactions that can generate real emotion (or fake emotion). Is there screaming, striking out, fainting, or a more quiet and genuine reaction--shock, shutdown, tears rather than wild sobbing? Go for the understated.
Epiphanies are characterized by a protagonist's sudden awareness or sharp insight that come about because of actions and conflicts that have brought her to this point. Often the protagonist must give up some former belief or point of view and must therefore make some change. It might that the character must admit a previous state of denial, or acknowledge that she has not been able to admit some desire until now, or wakes up to some need or aspect of identity.
Climactic scenes are of course what the reader wants, expects and keeps turning the pages in order to reach. It is the high point of the whole plot and if it is disappointing the entire book will be disappointing. The opposing forces must confront and clash with one another with a satisfying outcome. The stakes should be high for both sides. The movement must be fast, yet we need time to feel the emotions. After the climax the only thing left is the wrap up.
If I can master these, I'll be content. WRITE ON!
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