TECH: Character Arcs (part 8) (500 words)
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writercises Original Posting 10/7/2019
Now, with the first act just about in place, in Chapter 7, K. M. Weiland turns to the first plot point. I've also seen this called the doorway of no return #1, which I think makes a good name, too. This is where setup ends, and the heart of the story starts. The character commits themselves, irrevocably. Some decision that means I'm going to do it.This is a major scene! It may be forced on the character, but they are also taking that step! With three decisions.Decision #1, before the first plot point, is your character deciding something that leads up to the first plot point.The first plot point then blows those plans to bits! A tornado sweeps the character off! The world gets shook up, and we are out of the normal world!Decision #2, during the first plot point. This is all about the character's reaction to it. Basically, they need to decide to go ahead. To walk through that door, as scary as it may be, and start the adventure.Decision #3, after the first plot point. Your character probably either charged ahead without really knowing what was coming, or got dragged into it. But now, they need to grab a clear physical goal. Tied to what he wants! Often, this is either an attempt to return to the normal, or to establish a new normal.Questions? Sure...1 What major event crashes into your character's normal world and forces them to change their plans?2 What decision leads the character to the first plot point?3 Does the first plot point seem favorable? How will the complications turn out worse than expected?4 Is the event obviously disastrous? How?5 Will the protagonist willingly step through the door, into the new world?6 Or is he going to be forced through it?7 Does the first plot point destroy the normal world? Or just physically move the protagonist from one world to the next? Or does it change the world around the protagonist?8 How does the character react to the first plot point?9 What new plot goal does the character form in response to the first plot point?10 How does the first plot point start your character on the journey to that new Truth?11 How does the new world beyond the first plot point penalize or stress the character for continuing with the Lie?The first plot point throws the character into a world where the Lie doesn't work, and the character needs to learn the Truth, changing, and growing. So, plan a first plot point that really challenges your character to step into the adventure of their life.Exercise? Probably the best is to take something you are working on, and brainstorm, oh, five to ten different first plot points. Go ahead and dream about what might happen! What kind of doorway of no return will your hero face, and how will they react? Then pick out the best, and make it real.?Write?
Now, with the first act just about in place, in Chapter 7, K. M. Weiland turns to the first plot point. I've also seen this called the doorway of no return #1, which I think makes a good name, too. This is where setup ends, and the heart of the story starts. The character commits themselves, irrevocably. Some decision that means I'm going to do it.This is a major scene! It may be forced on the character, but they are also taking that step! With three decisions.Decision #1, before the first plot point, is your character deciding something that leads up to the first plot point.The first plot point then blows those plans to bits! A tornado sweeps the character off! The world gets shook up, and we are out of the normal world!Decision #2, during the first plot point. This is all about the character's reaction to it. Basically, they need to decide to go ahead. To walk through that door, as scary as it may be, and start the adventure.Decision #3, after the first plot point. Your character probably either charged ahead without really knowing what was coming, or got dragged into it. But now, they need to grab a clear physical goal. Tied to what he wants! Often, this is either an attempt to return to the normal, or to establish a new normal.Questions? Sure...1 What major event crashes into your character's normal world and forces them to change their plans?2 What decision leads the character to the first plot point?3 Does the first plot point seem favorable? How will the complications turn out worse than expected?4 Is the event obviously disastrous? How?5 Will the protagonist willingly step through the door, into the new world?6 Or is he going to be forced through it?7 Does the first plot point destroy the normal world? Or just physically move the protagonist from one world to the next? Or does it change the world around the protagonist?8 How does the character react to the first plot point?9 What new plot goal does the character form in response to the first plot point?10 How does the first plot point start your character on the journey to that new Truth?11 How does the new world beyond the first plot point penalize or stress the character for continuing with the Lie?The first plot point throws the character into a world where the Lie doesn't work, and the character needs to learn the Truth, changing, and growing. So, plan a first plot point that really challenges your character to step into the adventure of their life.Exercise? Probably the best is to take something you are working on, and brainstorm, oh, five to ten different first plot points. Go ahead and dream about what might happen! What kind of doorway of no return will your hero face, and how will they react? Then pick out the best, and make it real.?Write?