In a new post, Mary Carroll Moore discusses how to order a story or essay collection, including considerations for transitions and natural flow between segments. “When considering a collection, the writer has to find a pivot. A common theme,” Moore says. “The disparate pieces must circle around something–a point, a message, a question, even a rhythm.”
Moore suggests that a storyboard can help you identify the essence of each piece and order them to create a journey for the reader. Rather than considering the plot, you look for the meaning or theme of each story. You might consider the mood or atmosphere as well.
Next, Moore creates transitions between the stories. “They can be arranged by topic or season or people who appear and reappear or narrative voice (age/sex of narrator),” she says. “The writer looks for variation in rhythm as well, perhaps a tense, fast pace alternating with a slower, more contemplative, one.”
Finally, Moore arranges her segments and reads them aloud, asking questions as she goes:
- Are the opening and ending paragraphs of each story different enough to make for interest?
- Do they link in some way so the movement between the stories is smooth?
- Do any stories need to be reworked so they aren’t two or three first person stories in a row?
- Do the length of the pieces vary nicely? Short flash stories against longer stories?
- Does the collection feel substantial?
Moore suggests choosing your three strongest pieces and placing them at the beginning, middle, and end of your collection. For a title, consider your favorite lines from your strongest stories. Make a list and consider if one captures the resonance of your entire collection.
