When we're writing about adventure (which according to the dictionary means an exciting or remarkable experience), we have to include some action of some kind.
Action, according to Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, means behavior, conduct, the unfolding of events (plot), vigorous or exciting or productive activity.
Therefore, in a writing involving action/adventure, plot and activity are needed.
As I sat beside my mother's hospital bed after her stroke, she lay paralyzed on one side and unable to speak.
She couldn't move her body in vigorous or productive activity, couldn't speak, but her eyes still did.
The action wasn't noticeable to everyone, just those watching her face; but it existed.
The adventure included her fight to live.
True, she lost the fight finally.
However, that action/adventure took place in restricted space with small but productive activity, but it had a plot and activity.
I could take those last eighteen days of her life and write a multi-paged story.
Sometimes what one person might consider inaction is in fact action.
Nero Wolfe, the fictional detective created by Rex Stout.
"Although capable of normal movement, Wolfe tries to adhere to a policy of never leaving his house for business reasons and seldom for any reason at all.
" (http://en.
wikipedia.
org/).
Of course Wolfe may not have partaken of much physical action, but his mind's activity made up for the deficit.
Action can be shown through thoughts, physical movement, conversation, or written description such as in letters or a journal.
All forms of action move the story or plot along.
Adventure must have action, and rather continuous action.
A bit of action with long periods of nothing doesn't keep the attention of a reader.
Adventure evolves in the exciting or remarkable experiences found through the plot or action.
Wolfe may not have left his house often, in fact he seldom did, but his "apprentice" did the leg work after Wolfe "stirred the pot" or mentally found directions for investigation.
They made an interesting pair.
One thing to remember, what appears to be inaction may in fact be action not directly seen by other characters in the writing.
Therefore, the author has to make the action apparent to the reader in an interesting, attention holding manner.
The plot must go on.
Action, according to Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, means behavior, conduct, the unfolding of events (plot), vigorous or exciting or productive activity.
Therefore, in a writing involving action/adventure, plot and activity are needed.
As I sat beside my mother's hospital bed after her stroke, she lay paralyzed on one side and unable to speak.
She couldn't move her body in vigorous or productive activity, couldn't speak, but her eyes still did.
The action wasn't noticeable to everyone, just those watching her face; but it existed.
The adventure included her fight to live.
True, she lost the fight finally.
However, that action/adventure took place in restricted space with small but productive activity, but it had a plot and activity.
I could take those last eighteen days of her life and write a multi-paged story.
Sometimes what one person might consider inaction is in fact action.
Nero Wolfe, the fictional detective created by Rex Stout.
"Although capable of normal movement, Wolfe tries to adhere to a policy of never leaving his house for business reasons and seldom for any reason at all.
" (http://en.
wikipedia.
org/).
Of course Wolfe may not have partaken of much physical action, but his mind's activity made up for the deficit.
Action can be shown through thoughts, physical movement, conversation, or written description such as in letters or a journal.
All forms of action move the story or plot along.
Adventure must have action, and rather continuous action.
A bit of action with long periods of nothing doesn't keep the attention of a reader.
Adventure evolves in the exciting or remarkable experiences found through the plot or action.
Wolfe may not have left his house often, in fact he seldom did, but his "apprentice" did the leg work after Wolfe "stirred the pot" or mentally found directions for investigation.
They made an interesting pair.
One thing to remember, what appears to be inaction may in fact be action not directly seen by other characters in the writing.
Therefore, the author has to make the action apparent to the reader in an interesting, attention holding manner.
The plot must go on.
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