Ding, ding!. Referee: “Ladies and gentleman, welcome to the first ever bout between Back Story and Character History.” Wahhaaaaa. Cheeerrrs! Ref: “In this corner, from the New York City, weighing a hefty five hundred and eighty-two pounds, wearing black shorts, is the champion of all novel prose, Baaaaack Storrrryyyyyy!” Waahhhha, crowd cheering. “And in this corner, from Miami Beach, weighing a sleek one hundred and seventy-eight pounds, wearing blue shorts, is the challenger, Chhhaaaarrracter Hhhiiiistorrrryyy.” Wahhhhha, other half of the crowd cheering. Ref: “All right you twos, I want a clean fight. No hitting below the belt, no tripping, spitting, holding or biting. Touch gloves, go to your mutual corners and when the bell rings, come out fighting.” Ding! Character History leaps to the center of the ring as Back […]
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Too Stupid to Live? Building Act 1 with believeable motivations!
Yesterday we talked about incorporating the first couple beats of your story into the first Act, and especially the first scene. Today, we’re going to continue the conversation by show how we might use Why/Why Nots to help move our character forward in his journey toward Act 2. ACT 1 Review: Life Inciting Incident The Big Debate (Romantic) Quest You’ve already established your character’s home world and had them meet in a way that helps the reader to feel sympathy for your characters. You’ve also shown that they have an interest/need for something more, namely, a romance. Finally, you’ve hinted at the stakes of the story, and perhaps even woven that in with the Why Not (or obstacles) between your characters. E.g., having your character say, “The […]
Read the RestBuilding the right backstory
We’re trying to help our readers fall in love with our characters this week at MBT….and one way you do this is through “Character Layering” – or slowly revealing the heart of your character—to your other characters in the story and, ultimately, to your reader. But doesn’t my reader need to know about my character in order to love them? I hear this a lot from people who might pour in all the great reasons why our hero and heroine are the way they are – their hurts and their triumphs – onto the first page. Think back—if you knew everything about your spouse or significant other when you met them, would you still go forward? Perhaps it’s best if we fall in love layer by layer. More […]
Read the RestChapter 1.2 with SMW comments to RH edits. =)
Great edits once again by Rachel! Note, especially, the thoughts on the HOOK, emotional layering, and dialogue. It’s hard for me to get the flow of it when it is pieced up like this – so I might make more tweaks before I post the rough draft final tomorrow (or Friday). As usual, if you have any questions, head over to VOICES and we’ll do our best to answer them in the Chapter 1 discussion. Note – the pieces I’m keeping are in RED type. The original is in black, without highlights. Chapter 1.2 Reverend William Archibald Lewis Alexander, the third, former pastor of the Normandy Ridge Bible Baptist church, decorated Vietnam Vet, widower husband of thirty-five faithful years to Miss Darlene Parker, and father of […]
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