I love how you're inventing a back-story for your protagonist even if it never appears on the page, because it will nevertheless inform her actions in the story. Many books on writing have tables to fill out for each character, everything from their favourite colour to their profession and mannerisms. I don't go to that degree of detail, but I discovered the hard way that understanding the character's core wound is definitely critical, and sometimes is hard to pinpoint (which I take to mean that I haven't prepared thoroughly enough). The tool that made a huge difference in my writing was to know the "value" of the story before I begin e.g. freedom/slavery.
Thanks, Louise. Similarly, I only like to define enough detail for my characters' profiles as will be needed for the story. Interesting term, the "value." Where did you learn how to determine a story's value?
Robert McKee talks about it in his book "Story". When I read about it, it seemed to be the 'missing link' I personally needed to finally figure out how to plot my stories. Story values are the universal qualities of human experience that may shift from positive to negative, or negative to positive from one moment to the next. I see 'value' as the lens through which my story is told, e.g. justice vs. injustice, or freedom vs. oppression.
Continue to be in awe of your patient tenacity to edit to perfection. The Revived is amazing and totally look forward to SBC or whatever the new title, So ver proud of you Peter!
I love how you're inventing a back-story for your protagonist even if it never appears on the page, because it will nevertheless inform her actions in the story. Many books on writing have tables to fill out for each character, everything from their favourite colour to their profession and mannerisms. I don't go to that degree of detail, but I discovered the hard way that understanding the character's core wound is definitely critical, and sometimes is hard to pinpoint (which I take to mean that I haven't prepared thoroughly enough). The tool that made a huge difference in my writing was to know the "value" of the story before I begin e.g. freedom/slavery.
Thanks, Louise. Similarly, I only like to define enough detail for my characters' profiles as will be needed for the story. Interesting term, the "value." Where did you learn how to determine a story's value?
Robert McKee talks about it in his book "Story". When I read about it, it seemed to be the 'missing link' I personally needed to finally figure out how to plot my stories. Story values are the universal qualities of human experience that may shift from positive to negative, or negative to positive from one moment to the next. I see 'value' as the lens through which my story is told, e.g. justice vs. injustice, or freedom vs. oppression.
Ah, yes. I should dust off McKee's STORY on my writing bookshelf. Thanks for the reminder.
Continue to be in awe of your patient tenacity to edit to perfection. The Revived is amazing and totally look forward to SBC or whatever the new title, So ver proud of you Peter!
Thanks again for your loyal support.