Last month we explored what a protagonist wants, and this month, we’ll dive into the mentality of an antagonist. While I enjoy reading an antagonist who’s sole focus in life is to destroy the protagonist’s life, I’d prefer to read how external and internal forces affect their conflict. For instance, what happens when… Characters compete for the same desire but …
What happens when a character’s desire conflicts with a moral code, personal need, or lofter cause? You’ve got the potential for an intriguing story! Going in a slightly different direction, I’m doing a case study of the movie Casablanca instead of a novel. The main protagonist, Rick Blaine, owns a thriving nightclub in Casablanca, during World War II. The city …
This week is busy with deadlines looming on an editing and separate marketing project, so this post is a diversion from the November theme, What Our Characters Want. Instead, I’m giving you a peek into my current reading list and would enjoy knowing yours as well. Fiction: The Dutch House by Ann Patchett. I’ve finished this book last week, but …
Ever been ghosted? I have a few times. It hurts. Continuing our November series, What our Characters Want, the short story, “A Telephone Call,” by Dorothy Parker, has us follow the monologue from an unnamed protagonist as she tries to convince herself she’s not been ghosted. What does she desire the most? It hits us immediately in the opening line: …
Sarah’s Note: If you received a paperback of Good Tidings but didn’t see J.B. Wilson’s story inspiration for “An Innkeeper’s Wife”, here’s the entry she wrote: Since I have multiple food allergies, I loved leaning into the challenge and opportunity of contributing to an anthology including holiday recipes. I hope Sophie’s story encourages folks struggling to relate to their own …
“To touch readers on an emotional level, you’ll need your main characters to desire something your readers also desire.” Steven James from Story Trumps Structure. Today, as I stood in line to vote, I read a craft book. After about fifteen minutes, I casted my vote and felt satisfied that this election is almost over. More than any election, I’ve …
Do you know the beauty in your story? Sometimes, especially if you’re a novelist, you don’t write or share anecdotes about your personal history, family history, and inspiring story. We’re creating unknown worlds and characters, so why leave the world of daydreams and fantasies to dive into our autobiography? I recommend we do. Helps us to understand ourselves and our …
Lately, my husband and I have been reading poetry together. Usually at the dinner table. We take turns reading a short poem out loud. Poetry is the language of symbols. Depending on the type, it can elicit violent feelings and emotions. Or linger into your soul like a melancholy thought. Or it can inspire with its beauty and rhythm. And …
How as storytellers do we tackle the issue of brokenness? Can we tell a story without giving absolutes and solutions to every tragedy or unknown? It’s tempting to provide answers to every philosophical and even spiritual questions our story poses, but is that the author’s responsibility? Or is art showing life in its true form? Art is what is, even what …
“A bridge of silver wings stretches from the dead ashes of an unforgiving nightmare to the jeweled vision of a life started anew.” ― Aberjhani, Journey through the Power of the Rainbow: Quotations from a Life Made Out of Poetry Two elements in every story are a death and resurrection. Death to a dream. Death of a loved one. Death to a …
