Editor’s 6 Core Questions

The Shootist (Glendon Swarthout)

Editor's 6 Core Questions

1. What is the genre? Global—Western > Professional Secondary—Status 2. What are the conventions and obligatory scenes for the genre? Conventions The hash, hostile wide-open landscape is a ‘character”. Books passes through the wide-open spaces on his way to El Paso. Later, he and Bond Rogers go for a ride in an open carriage. They… Read more »

The Hate U Give (Angie Thomas)

Editor's 6 Core Questions

1. What is the genre? Global—Status > Sentimental Secondary—Society > Historical 2. What are the conventions and obligatory scenes for the genre? Conventions Strong Mentor Figure: For Starr, there are multiple mentor figures including her father Maverick, her mom Lisa, and her uncle Carlos. Each of these mentors educates and protects Starr as she learns… Read more »

The Ocean at the End of the Lane (Neil Gaiman)

Editor's 6 Core Questions

1. What is the genre? Global—Horror > Supernatural Secondary—Worldview > Revelation 2. What are the conventions and obligatory scenes for the genre? Conventions The monster can’t be reasoned with. It is possessed by the spirit of Evil and is present to devour and annihilate: Ursula Monkton refuses the safe passage back to her own realm… Read more »

Knots and Crosses (Ian Rankin)

Editor's 6 Core Questions

1. What is the genre? Global—Crime > Murder Mystery > Hardboiled Secondary—Worldview > Revelation 2. What are the conventions and obligatory scenes for the genre? Conventions A MacGuffin: Gordon Reeve wants to punish DS John Rebus as revenge for abandoning him during their secret SAS training. The punishment for desertion is death. Investigative Red Herrings:… Read more »

The Chrysalids (John Wyndham)

Editor's 6 Core Questions

1. What is the genre? Global—Society > Political Secondary—Worldview > Revelation 2. What are the conventions and obligatory scenes for the genre? Conventions One Central Character with offshoot characters that embody a multitude of the main character’s personality traits: David is the central character. Big Canvas (internal or external +social problem added by Status internal… Read more »

As I Lay Dying (William Faulkner)

Editor's 6 Core Questions

1. What is the genre? Global—Morality > Punitive Secondary—Action > Clock > Fate 2. What are the conventions and obligatory scenes for the genre? Conventions Despicable protagonist begins at his/her worst: Anse is a narcissist who refuses to work and plays a victim, takes food and money from his kids while denying them food and… Read more »

The Song of Achilles (Madeline Miller)

Editor's 6 Core Questions

1. What is the genre? Global—War > Brotherhood Secondary—Worldview > Maturation or Revelation 2. What are the conventions and obligatory scenes for the genre? Conventions One central character with offshoot characters who embody a multitude of that character’s personality traits: Patroclus is the central character. Achilles is everything he ever wanted to be, an honor… Read more »

Dear John (Nicholas Sparks)

Editor's 6 Core Questions

1. What is the genre? Global—Love Story > Courtship Secondary—Worldview > Maturation 2. What are the conventions and obligatory scenes for the genre? Conventions Triangle: Army/Savannah/John – causes Savannah and John’s final separation Tim/Savannah/John – causes John to invoke his sacrifice Helpers and Harmers. Susan: Harmer – college friend who thinks Savannah can do better… Read more »

Heart of Darkness (Joseph Conrad)

Editor's 6 Core Questions

1. What is the genre? Global—Horror > Ambiguous (NOTE: The value at stake for a Horror story is Life/Death with the possibility of Damnation or Fate Worse than Death. Although Marlow’s life is in danger at many points in the story, it is this Damnation that is the main focus.) Secondary—Worldview > Disillusionment 2. What… Read more »

A Man Called Ove (Frederik Backman)

Editor's 6 Core Questions

1. What is the genre? Global—Morality > Testing > Triumph Secondary—Love > Marriage 2. What are the conventions and obligatory scenes for the genre? Conventions Despicable protagonist begins at his/her worst: Ove is a self-centered grump, even before he loses his job. Without Sonja in his life, his anger at all the injustice he’s had… Read more »

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