The Other Side

[mbarker.livejournal.com]

Original Posting: Sun, 26 Jun 1994 18:35:02 JST

They say that one of the skills of the lawyer or debater is looking at the other side - knowing the arguments and rationales of the opposition inside out. I had a teacher who would sometimes have us switch sides just as a debate began, deliberately forcing us to know both sides.

Anyway, it seems to me that part of the writer's toolbox is that same ability to get inside the other side and consider how to work with or against those arguments. In an essay, for example, you're out to persuade and convince people who do not believe the same things you do - and you won't get very far by telling them how wrong they are to think that way.

Or in a story...

1. Pick a scene (or a complete story - at least a character!) and lay out the goals, complications, blocks, etc. that the POV character faces.

2. Now pick one of the opponents!

3. Write down their goal(s). How do they plan to get there? Why does this interfere with the "hero(ine)'s" desires?

4. Write up the scene or story from the POV of the opposition.

5. Now go back and re-construct the scene or story from the original POV. Does knowing what the "other side" is trying to do change the plot? Are there missing pieces or actions that don't really fit?

Writers almost need a bit of split personality in writing stories - they've got to develop at least two characters (in most cases) and often more in realistic ways... spend some time making sure the opposition is at least as well developed as the main characters, and your story will improve.