Need tips for getting from event A to event B

[Shaiyamine]

When writing we have to string events together to form a cohesive story and timeline. Honestly I have the events in my head and what event happens after event A but I'm lacking in terms of transition.

Like I'm unable to place a buffer between event A and event B and make it seem natural. It feels like I'm jumping too much!

Help!

 

[D.Dimitrov]

Hmm, that's hard to explain? If it seems to sudden and forced, why don't you add more info? Or as how I like to say it, just drop some info dump into it. Introduce idea B early and start making a bit of progress towards it, as you make you characteriaztion or worldbuilding more apparent. That way you can show more about your characters or introduce the world and give the readers a better view of the situation. A few details here and there won't hurt your writing, but be carefull to don't add too much of it.

 

[Shaiyamine]

Hmm, that's hard to explain? If it seems to sudden and forced, why don't you add more info? Or as how I like to say it, just drop some info dump into it. Introduce idea B early and start making a bit of progress towards it, as you make you characteriaztion or worldbuilding more apparent. That way you can show more about your characters or introduce the world and give the readers a better view of the situation. A few details here and there won't hurt your writing, but be carefull to don't add too much of it.

what would you usually do when you transition from one event to another aside from info dump?

 

[D.Dimitrov]

what would you usually do when you transition from one event to another aside from info dump?

Hmm? Well, my ideas are mostly connected to each other, so I don't really have a problem connecting them. The question is, when I connect them, should I make some freshen up of the athmosphere? Introducing litle of the next idea, adding some comedy scenes never hurts too, they can be used in basically every novel. You can add some sudden scene that occurs maybe? The unexpected elements are aways good at helping you to connect to new ideas. The transition can be more natural too.

 

[GDLiZy]

Why don't you treat it like a little intermission? By giving vague clues here and there about how it will affect the main plot.

 

[halowenjo]

Transitions between events are going to vary wildly. I personally don't want to have parts of the story that only serve as pathways between big events, as I could better use those spaces for other things.

Introducing litle of the next idea,

This is what I would be looking for. Dropping hints or clues as to plot-points. What's better than a twist that makes no sense and occurs randomly with no setup? The reader coming to the sudden realization themselves, or finally revealing that which you have been teasing for so long.

I enjoy using other characters point of view to give the reader a different perspective of the world, or the main character, which can help branch into new events as you can flesh out said character, giving the reader the idea that they will serve a purpose.

Sometimes the transitions are just smaller events themselves, to make the important events seem even bigger by comparison.

 

[Deleted member 5560]

With such a vague explanation it's a little hard to give solid advice, but a common piece of storytelling advice is "replace your AND THENs with BUTs and THEREFOREs."

Event A happens (eg. Link is given his driving quest to travel to Hyrule Castle to investigate The Rising Evil), AND THEN Event B happens (Link then travels to said castle).
Change that "and then" to "but" and "therefore" (eg. BUT before Link is allowed to leave the forest, he must first pass a trial, THEREFORE he enters the Great Deku Tree to face the monster within).
It could be that you create some kind of obstacle that needs to be overcome before the character can arrive at Event B, or some other minor problem. This can be useful not only to smooth the flow of the story so things don't abruptly happen consecutively one after the other, but can also add a feeling of actual hardships and stakes to it.

 

[Shaiyamine]

Thanks all! The suggestions help!