In the hopes of inspiring yet another emotional layer to your characters, I add the following to the list of behaviors that do NOT work in effective communication. Focusing on own feelingsClaiming amnesiaChanging the subjectTaking the high moral groundTrying to winHating to loseAgreeing, but not reallyLyingExaggeratingGiving upGiving ordersTaking over the discussionGiving suggestionsGetting hurtBecoming delicate and vulnerableLosing perspectiveCatastrophizingFacial expressions like boredom, …
More on Emotion and Plot
Following the in-depth article Emotion Makes the Character with tips for creating emotion in your characters, I offer the following:Use of the following behaviors, which impede effective communication, create conflict and tension and reveal character:Walking awaySarcasmBlameShort TemperWithdrawalNot listeningTalking overLooking awayShoutingAngerCriticismIntellectualizingDebating the complaintThreatening to leaveCounter-complaints(List is thanks to my dear friend, Teresa LeYung Ryan, and Emillo …
Universal Writer’s Traits: Sound Familiar?
At a couple of the recent plot workshops, I asked writers to fill in a Character Plot Profile for their protagonist's Dramatic Action goals and Character Emotional Development traits, the antagonist's, and for themselves as a writer, too.Following is a random sample of the responses in relationship to themselves as writers:Dramatic Action PlotLong-term goal: Write a book, finish, publish bookStanding in the way: Family, job, poor discipline, distracted, lazy, nothing, integrating two characters …
Jigsaw Puzzles, Not Everyone Likes Them
At a recent plot workshop, one of the writers stopped me on the way to lunch to ask for help. I asked her to tell me a bit about her project.As soon as she starts in, I'm hooked. She has a truly novel idea with an even more novel format in which to tell her story.As with most highly creative writers, she has trouble bringing the story into focus. She wanders to one plot point and then flits to another unrelated point. I hold each of these fragments and slowly begin to put them into position in …
Writers: It’s not life or death. Have Fun
I forgot to say, Have fun!In deepest gratitude to each of you responsible for the 3 sold-out plot workshops -- at the overall story level, scene level, and thematic significance level, I send a final message that includes writers everywhere -- loosen up and have some fun.Writing is not life or death. We artists like to imagine what we do is so dramatic. And, yes, those elements -- life and death appear in the story. Just like in the natural world, over and over again. For you as the writer, …
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