Robert asks:
“How much repetition should we use to make sure the story is clear? Is it different for different for YA and adult fiction versus children’s fiction?”
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Resources Mentioned:
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Ed asks:
“What problems come from marketing a YA book without labeling it as YA?”
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Today I discuss the experience of writing the action climax to the book, and how I was able to solve some big problems by finding the answers within the book-to-date, including some unexpected twists. I also talk about how the Heinlein Juveniles have a bifurcated story structure in the final third of the book, why that happens, and how I accidentally emulated this feature with Hadrian’s Flight.
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Today’s episode sponsored by Bundle Rabbit.
Hadrian’s confession leads to a cunning plan, while the writer begins gathering the plot threads together.
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We continue our journey through Hadrian’s Flight. Now we’re at the pinch point in the novel, where our main character goes from being reactive to proactive, and as a result the world changes around him.
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Today I explain all about McGuffins, how they are, and how I chose my McGuffin for Hadrian’s Flight.
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Today I talk about the Boot Camp phase of Hadrian’s Flight, which is that part of any YA novel where the character’s identity is broken down and rebuilt to meet the demands of the story. I explain why this is important, how it works, and how I did it to Hardiran.
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Today, we explore what happens when the author of Hadrian’s Flight gets lost along with the character right at the point where the core cast of characters should be coming together. Productivity slows, regrouping ensues, and worldbuilding commences in earnest.
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I continue the blow-by-blow of writing Hadrian’s Flight in 34 days. I talk about structural decisions I made, and why I made them, and how I coped with a new series of curve-balls the story threw me that I wasn’t expecting.
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Today, I continue with the Heinlein Juvenile formula sheet, talking about what makes the Heinlein juveniles unusual among young adult novels and which of them create their enduring appeal.
Books discussed, all by Robert A. Heinlein:
Rocketship Galileo
Space Cadet
Farmer in the Sky
Red Planet
Between Planets
The Rolling Stones
Starman Jones
Tunnel in the Sky
The Star Beast
Time for the Stars
Citizen of the Galaxy
Have Space Suit, Will Travel
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