![]() You’ll feel like you’re losing valuable stuff but it sets you free. Because of that… They change course and try something completely out of character (and may risk more than could have ever dreamt.) Until finally… they win or fail, but either way they discover something about themselves and are changed because of it. Because of that… They have a revelation about themselves or others. One day… Something happens which completely throws your character off-kilter so they can’t continue as they were. Every day… Make them try and fail because they don’t know how to fix the problem (make them try and fail a lot in more and more difficult ways). Once upon a time… Your story must have a problem for your character, and they must realise they have to do something to fix it. So no editing until you’ve done the first draft! And you won’t know that until you’ve written it. You may start off with a clear idea, and it may evolve over time (if you weren’t committed to a plan to start with), but whatever the deal, you might realise the last chapter must become the first chapter. Beauty is in the eye(s) of the beholder! I half agree that you won’t know what the story is about until you get to the end. When a reader finishes a book and a friend says, ‘what’s that about then?’ The answer might be, ‘Well, it’s all about Identity, really.’ Or another reader might say, ‘It’s about Love and Loss.’, or ‘Family’. Personally, I believe theme is natural and authentic when you don’t think about it. #3: Trying for theme is important, but you won’t see what the story is actually about til you’re at the end of it. If you don’t, your editor will only tell you to edit it out anyway! Skip all that, and throw them straight into the main movement of the story. ‘Interesting’ is best when it’s not reflecting over coffee with another character, or waking up in the morning with some introspection about the day. This is exactly why so many writers use an outline! The mind will completely wander off into its artistic ‘woods’, and struggle to find its way out! With a map, you can constantly refer back to it and guide your protagonist out. #2: You gotta keep in mind what’s interesting to you as an audience, not what’s fun to do as a writer. ![]() Your reader wants your character to sweat, learn, and discover themselves along the way. (Please make them learn something, so the reader doesn’t feel like their time has been wasted.) If you plan a story whereby the middle isn’t ‘soggy’ because it’s full of attempts, struggle, and fails, that is good. Your character doesn’t have to ‘win’ in the end, they can ‘lose’ and learn something. The journey is more important than the goal. #1: You admire a character for trying more than for their successes. Because of this, I’ve decided to give them my own spin and interpret them for myself, and other authors / novelists / writers out there. Pixar’s rules of writing are a great read for all storytellers, however, some of the rules aren’t so clear on what they mean, or are always considered from a film making perspective.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |