Thread: HELP!!! Chicken and Egg time.

Edit:
My apologies, everyone. I’ve figured out how to handle the problem.


I do like Terry D’s solution, too.


This post may finish up a complete shambles by the time I’m finished. Let’s see how we go. Aspirin are available at the checkout.

I have my two MCs –let’s call ‘em Holden and Lucinda - facing a dilemma. They want to search for some stolen gold that went missing 150 years earlier. Some of you are probably already familiar with that feature of my story.

So, firstly, they need additional information to assist with the search, ‘cos the search area is about 200 square miles. This information, although they don’t yet know it, is available in the Police Archives.

However, besides being short on search information, they are also short on funds to pay for their search. This money problem can be solved by Holden and Lucinda putting a sting in place, whereby they relieve men of their money in return for a promise of, ahem, certain favours granted by Lucinda. Incidentally, these favours never occur, but that’s neither here nor there as far as the plot goes.

My writing problem is this: I can’t even have the sting in Holden and Lucinda’s minds (i.e., I can’t write about it) before they have the additional search information from the archives (there’d be no point to the sting if a lack of information means they can’t undertake the search for the gold); however neither can I have them going through the Police Archives before they obtain funds from the sting to pay for the search for the gold – remember, it’s only the reader who knows the information is in the archives. Again, from the perspective of my two characters, there’d be no point to it and it’d simply be a waste of time.

Gaaaah.

Can you suggest anything workable? Your name will look good on the acknowledgements page.

You need to give them that info, that quest to go to the police records. One of the ways is 2nd hand information. They could still need money regardless of where their search is standing, as they are actively still searching prior to this new info? So have one of the men that they use be a policeman, who talks as men do, and mentions a file he had read, or a case he had been privy too. This would let them know about the new info, they could then seduce him further, maybe promising more 'ahems' if he could get those details for them.

I am sure there are and will be other ways/suggestions, mine is only one. Don't make the sting overpower the real story, when you stop, you break the plot.

Good writing to you

S

You need a deus ex machina which is invisible to the reader. First you will have to explain how this information came to be in a police-station, was its previous owner arrested for something? If, for instance your Mack & Mabel are sitting at a table in a bar, and overhear a policeman remarking to a colleague that he came across a map while sorting the E to H filing cabinet, then while the policeman might not realise the significance your MCs might; this device would also show them exactly where to look; but for a semi-intelligent reader, this may be a contrivance too far. Perhaps they could be in the police-station asking for directions, and one of them could bump into a passing secretary, thereby spilling an armful of files, and while helping her gather the files together, passes her a map, the significance of which he doesn't realise till later. You'll have to be pretty subtle because, as plot devices go, they are as worn as a stairwell carpet in a doss-house.

I need to know this before I crank up my noggin: Do the main characters live anywhere near the search? In other words, have they traveled far from home in this search for gold?

Originally Posted by The Backward OX

However, besides being short on search information, they are also short on funds to pay for their search. This money problem can be solved by Holden and Lucinda putting a sting in place, whereby they relieve men of their money in return for a promise of, ahem, certain favours granted by Lucinda. Incidentally, these favours never occur, but that’s neither here nor there as far as the plot goes.

My writing problem is this: I can’t even have the sting in Holden and Lucinda’s minds (i.e., I can’t write about it) before they have the additional search information from the archives (there’d be no point to the sting if a lack of information means they can’t undertake the search for the gold); however neither can I have them going through the Police Archives before they obtain funds from the sting to pay for the search for the gold – remember, it’s only the reader who knows the information is in the archives. Again, from the perspective of my two characters, there’d be no point to it and it’d simply be a waste of time.

Then They need a reason to start their sting without knowing about the info in the archives. Since they know they need information, perhaps they find someone, a con-man -- let's call him Bobby X -- who offers them what they need, for a price. Then Lucinda and Holden can start their own sting to get the money to buy the info from Bobby X. Just before they turn over their hard-earned cash they find out what Bobby X is up to. Now they still need the info, but they have cash. Just a thought.

When I want more information on a subject, particularly an historical event (like 'gold gone missing'), I go to my local library and search through the microfilm/microfiche files. I can usually find a story or three in old newspaper articles. Thenceforward, it becomes easier for the duo to discover that the info they desire is in a findable place. Hope this is useful, Ox....

Karl

I like these kind of problems. Usually a few hours of relaxation brings an even better idea that adds more dimension to the plot or characters. Don't sweat it, it sounds to me like you've decided on a plot sequence and are reluctant to deviate. But deviations are usually the best ideas writers have IMO. I would have the characters gain some hint that the info is in the police archives, so set about the sting to make money.....

But remember, whenever a character decides on a plan and outlines it, the plan must go wrong.

I don't think they need that information to know that they need the money. You're thinking they're like you. It depends on their personality types. If they're hell bent on doing it, maybe one is practical and logical and is saying that there's no point without knowing where to search, while the other is saying they'll get that information later, and worst case scenario, if they can't get that info - at least they'll have a bit of extra money from the robbery.

Then you've covered your bases in terms of your reader's potential disbelief.

My apologies, everyone. I’ve figured out how to handle the problem.


I do like Terry D’s solution, too.