A way with worlds: 28 - Timeline-Based Writing: The Critical Axis

The Critical Axis becomes the theme to launch your story, a certal reference point to which the other "clumps" of events can refer. It can be used to:

• Launch the story, then end once things get going.
• Have a reference point for other "clumps" to intersect. In other words, a plot the other semi-plots or side plots or subplots intersect.
• Have the Critical Axis launch the story, then fade into the background as you focus on the other "clumps" once you've gotten to them. Just be sure to resolve it.
• Have the Critical Axis start after the story begins and things are established, and use it as the end point.
• Have the Critical Axis start events off or lead into events that may then cohere together into a plot.

The Critical Axis, in short, becomes your way to tell a coherent story around, or lauched by a specific "clump."

HIDDEN CRITICAL AXES:
I've also found that being aware of Critical Axes may help you find ones you'd missed, noticing points and plots and elements that intersected events that you hadn't seen.

Be aware that you can tell tales of seemingly discordant events if you find a thread that will help people follow them and relate. You're likely doing something like this already, but being aware of it can be quite helpful.

SUMMARY:
When you've got clumps of events you need in one story, find one that's a "Critical Axis" to tie them tighter to produce a coherent story that still show important events.

CAN YOU FIND A BETTER WORD THAN "CLUMPS"
I'm open to suggestions, because I really haven't found anything more appropriate without sounding pretentious.

STEVE'S SITES:
Yes, "Steve's Sites" is back for the important reason that I located some resources worth discussing. Remember to send me sites that you'd like to share with your fellow writers and worldbuilders.

Retrofuture - Get a look at what people in the past thought the future (and today) would be like. Very, very informative.

Religion Selector - A quick and dirty way to find out what religions fit what ideas. Good for character design.

A Way with Worlds is hosted at fanfiction.net, lit.org, and sffworld.com.
It is archived at the Way With Worlds archive.