What if what an antagonist wants causes them to lose everything truly important? This narrative is explored in The Dutch House by Ann Patchett. Her antagonist, Andrea Smith, is obsessed with living in the Dutch House, owned by Cyril Conroy. She’s a single mother of two young daughters, and you get an impression she’s lower middle class. She’s younger than …
What if you’ve returned from a two-week business trip in London, England (pre-Covid), and your live-in girlfriend has moved out, only leaving a note? Would you feel betrayed? Angry? Hurt? All of the above? Reading about this scenario, do you feel angry or sorry for this ex-boyfriend? Wondering how his ex could be so callous, as to only leave a …
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 …
