Tuesday, April 5, 2011

D is for ... Danger

Whether you are writing a fantasy, action-adventure, mystery, growing up, or humor middle grade story, there usually is an element of danger in the plot line. It may be physical danger (The Book Thief, any of the HP books, Percy Jackson series), the threat of danger (Neil Gaiman's The Graveyard Book and the man who pursues Bod), or a fear that has become a danger in the main character's mind (any of the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books). Danger always exists.

It is a key element in pushing the main character toward the resolution of their conflict. There has to be some sort of motivation for the character to get through to the end. If there isn't, well, there really isn't a story. Just a bunch of words strung together that somehow was published!

We may as writers (or even as readers) not think of conflict resolution as the resolution of danger, but in most cases it is.

What are your favorite books that have danger as part of them?

7 comments:

  1. I can't name books off the top of my head, but I do love books that keep me nailed to the seat fearing for the safety of the main character

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  2. Im a Tom Clancy fan personally, A mix of danger and intrigue for me please.

    RJRDaydreamer

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  3. I love books with a lot of danger in them. The boat-load of dystopians out there these days are packed with danger. So much fun. Great post!

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  4. Danger adds spice to a book and gives it that edge, I do like a good danger fuelled story line

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  5. I think most of them have danger, don't they? I like Paranormalcy, and Fire Light, and Keturah and Lord Death. Even in milder forms, all good books have danger.

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  6. Ugh, it's too early for my brain to think! But yeah, a bit of danger is a good thing!!

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  7. Thank you all for stopping by!

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