What if...

[khiemtran]

What if a novel is just a series of promises to the reader? Some will kept fulfilled. Some will be surpassed. All of them must be acknowledged. You have to promise enough at all times to keep the reader interested, but you must also never deliver less than you promise.

Comments

arcs?

[houseboatonstyx.livejournal.com]

I suppose that would include things rather more subtle and richer than just 'arcs'.

Re: arcs?

[khiemtran.livejournal.com]

Well, yes. A promise could be anything from "this will be interesting" or "this will have horses in it" to "this guy will get his comeuppance".