Lesson Seven: Putting it all together
We've covered a lot of material about plotting, characters, and theme. Now it's time to put it all together.
I've recapped the highlights bullet-point style:
Characters in the Driver's Seat: Back to the three secrets
*Vision: Know what you're writing (story, genre)
*Passion: Know why you're writing it (theme, characters)
*Commitment: Know how to make it work (reader expectations, mechanics)
Why let the character do the driving?
* Readers identify with characters struggling with dilemmas, making impossible choices
* Readers want to have someone they care about
* Readers enjoy an emotionally satisfying ending
What is Plot?
* Character in conflict, taking action over time.
* Must know WHO character is in order to understand WHY they make the choices they do and HOW they deal with conflict.
* Action without conflict can be interesting, but rarely compelling.
What is Character Arc:
* Character begins the story with their Default Action as their greatest strength.
* By the middle of the story, they realize there are alternatives to their Default and that maybe a change might be good.
*By the end of the story, they realize their Default Action is NOT their greatest strength but rather their greatest weakness. They choose to change, learn a new Default that allows them to win against all odds.
I'm going to break down the elements of plot and character. Watch how plot really IS character and character IS plot when you think of them this way!
Elements of Character:
* Motivation = Past = Backstory
OUTER Motivation = Default Action. How the character successfully navigates their world at the start of the novel.
This is the key to tying your character to your plot. The Default Action is the action your character takes automatically at the beginning of their story.
They have chosen this action because past events have taught them that this Default Action helps them to be successful in life. They believe it to be their greatest strength.
Often the Default can be summarized in a few words. Some examples:
*Act first, think later
*Little girls are seen, not heard
*Serve and protect
*Trust no one, assume nothing
*Think big!
*Money is the root of all evil
*Might is right
*Family first
*Winning is everything
During the course of the story, the main character will have their Default repeatedly tested and they will resist changing it until the very end when they sacrifice their Default and learn a new way of succeeding in the world.
INNER Motivation = Learned values. If the Default Action is the Outer Motivation—what the character shows the world through their decisions and actions—then the Inner Motivation is WHY they have chosen this specific Default.
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