" *** " <-- What does it actually mean?

[Ardemax]

Generally it does mean a complete change in time or setting, so not just moving on to the next event perhaps. I don't think it's used all that much really, but if you are going to use it it's sometimes useful for moving in/out of dream sequences, or as you say to go back in a character's memory. The very best use of it that I've ever read is in a Roger Zelazny novel in the first-person narrative where the teller uses it very consciously to skip out a sex scene, but also to make the reader really feel connected to the character as though the book were really him telling it to you -



but Zelazny was an absolute genius with everything he did so don't feel bad if you can't quite create that feeling in your school work

Haha! Luckily I just have to do a 1,000 word first chapter of a distopian fiction story.

[Cerys]

I believe it's a change in time.

I always think that it's a good place to stop off though. Like, if it's a massive chapter and I see one of those, I stop reading as it's a good place to stop, if you see what I mean.

[Stephen]

I always thought it was when you avoid the filter

Edited by GoldenMerc - Please stay ontopic