Slam Dunc

In the Bickham book ("The 38..." - see introduction to right) he talks a lot about a story being a record of a strong character's action to overcome obstacles to his goals. In a book that I read recently with Ian, the author provides a lot of conflict and a lot of positive action. Keep in mind as you look at the outline below that the chapters are quite short (3 1/2 to 5 1/2 pages).

Summary of Dunc's Dump by Gary Paulsen

1 trouble: mixing chemicals
threat: Amos's low grades in science
threat: will Melissa notice him (Amos)?
looking forward: speculation of how things will be with Melissa
trouble: chem explosion
strong character: Dunc takes action, gets out of bedroom
trouble: Amos's mother calls him downstairs

2 trouble: cleaning up mess
strong character: Dunc is loyal, helps clean mess
strong character: Dunc decides on a course of action-project find out what's
going on at the dump
threat: what if they wind up in trouble like before? Will they find what's in garbage?
strong character: Dunc knows things
trouble: pail disaster (Amos)

3 strong character: Dunc has a plan, resolve against Amos's objections, equipment
threat: will they be successful at the dump?

4 threat: Amos feels sick, scared
trouble: it's dark
strong character: Amos keeps going
trouble: they might be discovered
trouble: the mannequin “grabs” Amos's leg
strong character: Dunc reassures Amos of the plan, calms him, moves on
trouble: Amos feels lost
strong character: Dunc gets on with collecting samples, is prepared with gloves
trouble: something wiggles and squeaks as Amos picks it up

5 threat: what if Amos's parents come home?
Strong character: Dunc is prepared, reasons with Amos
Strong character: Dunc finds something from his research

Rereading the outline (and after having read more from this series) I see that Amos is used as a contrast to Dunc and, of course, for comic relief. Dunc is obviously the duo's confident leader.

I am surprised at the amount of movement and action. That's compact writing. It's no wonder that it's fun to read!

Today's writing: 1.0 pages (editing, new writing, and a bit of blogging)