Writing Action: Time Bombs
There’s this Alfred Hitchcock quote where he talks about shock versus suspense, using a bomb under a table. It goes something like this; if your scene has two people sitting at a table, and a bomb goes off, you have about five seconds of shock. But if you put a timer on the bomb and let the audience know that in five minutes it will explode, you have five minutes of building suspense, and maintain the audience's attention for longer.
I think there’s more to it than just that.
Recently, the “Mission Impossible” movies have used this mentality to perfection, especially in the sixth film, “Fallout.”
The “bomb under the table” narrative driving force really does work great, not just to build up that suspension, but it helps both the characters and the writer tremendously.
For the character, there is always this sense of finality. The end of the mission will come, whether or not they’re ready for it, so they better get moving. Every choice they make has to be one that pushes them forward to complete their mission before the bomb goes off.
In turn, the writer has an easier time. This creates a natural driving force in the narrative and ensures that you don’t let the plot drag.
This was the method I used for creating the plot of “Empire of the Void.” Spoilers from here on out.
After Dex and Lacy are separated by the Empire, we are introduced to our “bomb”: Lacy’s sacrifice. Throughout the novel, we follow her journey to the Empire homeworld with the knowledge that if Dex doesn’t get to her in time, she will be killed. This works on a number of layers.
First, Lacy is in a position where no matter what she tries to do to free herself, she is unable to, and continuously draws closer to her fate. It’s almost like a horror film like “The Ring” where no matter what, that deadly fate is coming, and instills a sense of dread.
Second, we get a great understanding of Dex’s character evolution. Every move he makes has to be calculated, in order to give him the straightest path back to her. There are moments of levity few and far between, but overall, every action he makes is a step closer to her because he has to beat the bomb’s timer.
Third, and this is where I’m adding to Hitchcock’s rule, neither the audience nor Dex or Lacy knows when the timer will run out. With this, I was hoping to tap into the fear of the unknown. For all Dex knows, she could be dead already. If he’s still trying to save her, it creates a likable character that won't let even death separate him from the love of his life. He’s determined beyond all sense of doubt that he can still have her. He’s sympathetic in that way. He believes there is still a chance to save her, and if there is, he won’t waste a minute.
But just having a time bomb doesn’t guarantee a fast pace. You need moments of levity placed strategically throughout, and when you do find the right place, they better mean something.
For chunks of the book, Dex can only wait to arrive at his next destination. The first time it’s to get to Reechi while on Korr’s ship, and the other is when he’s flying to the Heart of the Void. These moments when the protagonists can only wait for the next thing still need to serve the greater story if you have to use the scene.
In the first action pause, Dex takes a moment to rest and collect himself. This time is used to show what kind of person he is without Lacy around, as well as tease the capabilities of the Emperor’s power. In the second pause, we see how he prepares for the upcoming climax, showing how he’s changed from a mild-mannered explorer to someone who’s ready to take up arms to save the love of his life. Through that scene, we believe that even though he’s ill-prepared, through determination alone, Dex might be able to pull off this rescue.
Just make sure the ticking clock maintains its presence in the scene.
