Crisis!

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

original posting: Sun, 5 Jun 1994 18:35:01 JST

Okay. Your character is about to get in trouble.

1. Pick five (5) of the following synonyms:

Crisis, Emergency, Exigency, Conjecture, Crux, Trial, Turning point,
Decisive turn, Contingency, Pinch, Rub, Extremity, Entanglement, Stress,
Pickle, Perplexity, Kettle of Fish, Hot Water, Stew, Imbroglio, Fix,
Plight, Hole, Corner, Impasse, Difficulty, Gordian Knot, Maze, Coil,
Mess, Muddle, Botch, Hitch, Stumbling block, Sticking point

2. For each one, write down a situation that it brings to mind. What kind of problem does this kind of crisis make you think of? Try to come up with problems that reflect the differences in the kind of crisis!

3. Now expand at least one of these - why or how did your character get into this? How will it be resolved?

You might want to consider these points in picking the problem to focus on:

• is this a two-pronged (at least) turning point that forces a decision? if not, what needs to be added?
• is this the antithesis of what the character wants?
• is it emotionally saturated and significant?
• does it affect characterization?
• does it lead to the premise?
• is this the final culmination of a series of crises? can I build up to it, foreshadow, and so forth to build this one?

Anytime you need a crisis, small or large, try peeking through the different "lenses" of these synonyms. Just considering the different words is likely to make you think of different kinds of situations - and help get the perfect crisis for your story.

[and if you don't have the slightest idea for a story - pick five kinds of crisis, dream up situations for each one, then string those situations together... and try walking a character or two through the minefield you've just laid...]

Write!