03-16-2009, 04:52 AM | #1 |
Banned
Posts: 5,100
Karma: 72193
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: South of the Border
Device: Coffin
|
The Lester Dent Pulp Fiction Master Plot
For those who might have missed it in an earlier thread, provided below is a link to Lester Dent's Pulp Fiction Master Plot.
Dent was the originator of the Doc Savage series of books, a master of pulp fiction and real-life adventurer. His writing advice is specifically tailored to the pulp-era markets, but is surprisingly effective even today. So if you're struggling to put down that next paragraph, can't decide on where your story is heading, or are just in the mood to learn from one of the masters, may I recommend a quick read of the Master Plot. |
03-16-2009, 12:12 PM | #2 |
Dyslexic Count
Posts: 526
Karma: 5041991
Join Date: Aug 2008
Device: Palm TX, Advent Vega, iPad, iPod Touch, Kindle
|
Edit.
Last edited by dadioflex; 12-16-2010 at 03:51 AM. |
Advert | |
|
03-16-2009, 12:53 PM | #3 |
Banned
Posts: 5,100
Karma: 72193
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: South of the Border
Device: Coffin
|
|
03-18-2009, 10:26 AM | #4 |
Dyslexic Count
Posts: 526
Karma: 5041991
Join Date: Aug 2008
Device: Palm TX, Advent Vega, iPad, iPod Touch, Kindle
|
Edit.
Last edited by dadioflex; 12-16-2010 at 03:51 AM. |
03-18-2009, 02:34 PM | #5 |
Grand Sorcerer
Posts: 8,478
Karma: 5171130
Join Date: Jan 2006
Device: none
|
I remember that read well. I use quite a few of his tips, it can make the material as much fun to write as to read!
|
Advert | |
|
03-18-2009, 06:11 PM | #6 |
Banned
Posts: 5,100
Karma: 72193
Join Date: Feb 2009
Location: South of the Border
Device: Coffin
|
Dent helped me many years ago when I was on a writing course. We had the traditional rising-arc, 3-act, peak of action followed by denoument formula as the standard, but I always felt like there was something missing. A dullness to the 2nd act that I couldn't put my finger on. At the time I was reading a lot of pulp detective stories from the Black Mask era and trying badly to imitate them. Still, my stories lacked something in the second act. Then I discovered Dent.
The 4 act (or even the 9-act which is a more Screenplay centric formula) forces life into the traditional 2nd act by splitting it in two. You know that mid-way through the 2nd act there's going to be a turnaround, which then leads you in another direction. Your 2nd-act can't sag when you write this way (whatever you may write). If you're a fan of Jim Butcher you can see this formula, plus the ideas of Dwight V Swain in his writing. It hits the Dent beats perfectly. |
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Thread Starter | Forum | Replies | Last Post |
Notes On Lester Dent, Doc Savage, and Life + 50 copyright | Greg Anos | Upload Help | 16 | 07-18-2012 04:41 PM |
Free Book (nook) - The Cossack [Pulp Fiction, geo-restricted to US-only] | ATDrake | Deals and Resources (No Self-Promotion or Affiliate Links) | 1 | 08-03-2010 08:31 PM |
When does good fiction become pulp fiction? | Steven Lake | Writers' Corner | 38 | 04-28-2010 11:27 AM |
Pulp or Pulp fiction title tag | mtravellerh | Feedback | 2 | 11-09-2008 06:49 PM |