There is a math proof technique called “forcing”, but frankly i don’t know what it means. But coincidentally my secret writing technique #4 is also called “forcing”.
There is a common sense rule “don’t force it if you can help” and it naturally applies here. Forcing is a technique i don’t especially like using. Usually it works as a last resort measure, when the plot is stuck and cannot move an inch without heaving pushing.
Forcing boils down to reviewing already established events, characters, their motivation etc — essentially everything that you’ve written so far — and then considering logical possibilities for the yet unfilled blanks. There is always a question waiting to be answered: whether it’s as simple as “what happened between day one and day X?”, or as elaborate as “what was the reason behind that suspicious smile back on page 1?” — until you’ve finished the story (and even then), you can always find something.
Some questions are better than others; some are enough to make a breakthrough
and some can only be a piece in a larger puzzle. Just collect the questions and
possible answers and perform exhaustive prediction of each combination pick
something that you are comfortable with.
Sounds simple on screen, so i’m off to do that now.
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