: Re: Does my story structure for an ensemble zombie story sound effective? I'm working on a novel about the psychological struggle of 7 characters. It's got an ensemble cast, where every character

@Cody1607638

Vote Up Vote Down

I've got a lot to say in response to this, but I won't get around to it in the next 24 hours. Until then:

The Jane Austen Book Club has a structure extremely similar to what you're describing. (Other ensemble casts I can think of are more typical of series, but this book is an exception, methinks.)
There's a roleplaying game which revolves precisely around the structure you're interested in, called Primetime Adventures. It's exactly what you've described: parallel story arcs for an ensemble cast, intertwining and interacting, with each character getting the spotlight at a different point. The book discusses this structure enough (particularly pointing out its strengths and advantages) that I think you'll find it valuable even without any interest in the roleplaying game itself.
I'll expand on this when I have time, but my nutshell reaction is: the structure itself is great, but cramming even small developments for all 7 characters into each and every chapter sounds very dense and difficult to pull off. I'd leave myself more leeway if I were you: more than 7 chapters if you need 'em; not having every character develop in every chapter.
Also, figure out where the climax goes in this structure. If it's during a single character's focus chapter - might that unbalance your structure, making that character more important and significant?

(0)

Login to post a comment!