: Re: Plot devices for the climax of an adventure story Setting aside the specifics of my particular plot for a moment, I have need of plot inspiration: how do I set up an escape from a death

@Si5022468

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I think I see why you’re stuck. Potentially so many ways to escape exist it feels paralyzing, but each idea feels weak. That is, if you think of this problem purely as a plot exorcise. I find that when plot traps me, story and character often show the way. Because this escape is the climax, you’re aware of the need for a quality escape. Perhaps it would be better to think in terms of a meaningful escape. Meaningful to character and story, maybe even to theme.

I think you can deconstruct the problem to a solution from two directions - the protagonist and the antagonist. Firstly, while I understand that you don’t what the villain to appear stupid, recognize that he/she will have to make a mistake. Think about it, if the baddies did everything just right, escape would be impossible. The mistake the antagonist makes reveals his/her character. The mistake serving as a symbol demonstrating the nature of the antagonist. This makes the plot point speak to character and story.

Similarly, because this is your story’s climax, how the protagonist secures his/her escape must speak to character as well. What kind of person is your hero? Since this is an action story, I assume a person of action, but what drives that? Why is the protagonist a person of action? Or what type of person of action? Restless, impatient, angry, desperate? Ultimately the protagonist’s means of escape speaks to strength, while the antagonist’s error speaks to weakness. The contrast of the two has the potential to reveal theme.

Consider this example. I just watched the movie “Pitch Dark.” Early on, the anti-hero Riddick is shackled behind his back to a vertical support beam. He notices the beam has been severed about a foot over his head. He dislocates both of his shoulders so he can swing his arms up behind him and through the opening in the beam to secure his release. This escape works well as plot because it meaningfully demonstrates something about Riddick’s character (they’re introducing Riddick at this point). Specifically, Riddick is a badass with iron will. Similarly, the mistake of securing him to the post (not a big mistake after all, most people won’t dislocate their shoulders) illustrates the antagonist’s sloppiness, later indirectly revealed as a result of his morphine addiction.

So use your character’s character to show you how the hero should escape and how the villain should mess up.

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