TECH: Character Arcs (part 9) (770 words)
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writercises Original Posting 10/18/2019
Okay, take a deep breath! So far, Weiland has laid out a conceptual framework, with the Lie the character believes, what the character Wants, and what they Need, and the Ghost, the backstory behind the Lie. Then we’ve got the Characteristic Moment that introduces the character, and the Normal World. Plus six beats for the first act, and the first plot point (or first doorway of no return). Next, in Chapter 8, Weiland talks about the first half of the second act. See, the second act is often about half of the total story, so instead of tackling it in one big lump, Weiland suggests breaking it into three parts, the first half, the midpoint, and the second half. In this chapter, she’s only talking about the first half.So what is happening, now that we’ve gone past the first plot point and ventured into unknown territory? Well, usually the character gets lost! And starts to discover that the Lie may not be as strong as they thought it was. Whoops! Reacting to the first plot point, and still chasing the Wants, he’s in trouble, whether he knows it or not. He’s going to be doing things, and learning that some ways to achieve the goal just don’t work.So, what landmarks do we include in the first half of the second act?1 Provide tools to overcome the Lie. Not everything, but at least a few hints, pieces of the puzzle, to get started. Information on how to overcome the Lie! Advice, perhaps, along with physical skills they will need for the climax. Some Truths to unsettle the lie, and useful truths.2 Show difficulties pursuing the Lie. Let the character try out the old ways, and... run into problems. The Lie is going to get in the way, here in the second act. So, some of the character’s approaches will evolve. He’s going to see the failures, and start looking for ways to change.3 Move closer to what he wants and farther from what he needs. The balance is shifting, but... it’s the wrong way! The character is working harder than ever to get what they want, and letting what they need slip away. While still seemingly moving towards the goal. But... the inner conflict is growing, even if they seem to be winning on the outside.4 Give the character a glimpse of life without The Lie. Probably from other characters, but it might be a personal glimpse. Let them start to wonder, to see some flaws in that Lie.Questions for the first half of the second act? Sure...1 How does the character react to stepping through the first doorway of no return, the first plot point?2 What tools can you give your character to start getting ready to break the Lie?3. What minor character (or characters) can mentor your hero, either through example or advice? What do they do or say?4 How could you show the hero the first step towards breaking the Lie?5 How will the character try to use the Lie to solve the plot problems?6 What will go wrong when they try this?7 What is the character’s reaction to these failures? What do they learn, how do they adjust? What do they try?8 How does the hero’s focus on the plot goal push him closer to what he Wants?9 How does getting closer to what he Wants pull him away from what he Needs?10 After stepping through the first doorway of no return, past the first plot point, how does the new world (or the changed normal world) give the hero a glimpse of life without the Lie?In the first half of the second act, your character is going to try very hard to reach the plot goal. He’s trying to get control and beat the conflict, and it might even seem to be working. But actually, it’s running away, with the Lie and the Want breaking down.This is where you can really explore the character, their personality, beliefs, and desires. Lots of chances for fun, conflict-filled scenes!Exercise? Try sketching out three to five possible scenes or bits for each of the four landmarks that Weiland recommends. Now, add in other scenes that you want or think might fit in this part. And try laying them out in different sequences. What happens if you do this one first, and that one last? Go ahead, play with it!Watch out, because the midpoint is coming. Our reactive hero is about to flip, and become active. But that’s the next episode!
Okay, take a deep breath! So far, Weiland has laid out a conceptual framework, with the Lie the character believes, what the character Wants, and what they Need, and the Ghost, the backstory behind the Lie. Then we’ve got the Characteristic Moment that introduces the character, and the Normal World. Plus six beats for the first act, and the first plot point (or first doorway of no return). Next, in Chapter 8, Weiland talks about the first half of the second act. See, the second act is often about half of the total story, so instead of tackling it in one big lump, Weiland suggests breaking it into three parts, the first half, the midpoint, and the second half. In this chapter, she’s only talking about the first half.So what is happening, now that we’ve gone past the first plot point and ventured into unknown territory? Well, usually the character gets lost! And starts to discover that the Lie may not be as strong as they thought it was. Whoops! Reacting to the first plot point, and still chasing the Wants, he’s in trouble, whether he knows it or not. He’s going to be doing things, and learning that some ways to achieve the goal just don’t work.So, what landmarks do we include in the first half of the second act?1 Provide tools to overcome the Lie. Not everything, but at least a few hints, pieces of the puzzle, to get started. Information on how to overcome the Lie! Advice, perhaps, along with physical skills they will need for the climax. Some Truths to unsettle the lie, and useful truths.2 Show difficulties pursuing the Lie. Let the character try out the old ways, and... run into problems. The Lie is going to get in the way, here in the second act. So, some of the character’s approaches will evolve. He’s going to see the failures, and start looking for ways to change.3 Move closer to what he wants and farther from what he needs. The balance is shifting, but... it’s the wrong way! The character is working harder than ever to get what they want, and letting what they need slip away. While still seemingly moving towards the goal. But... the inner conflict is growing, even if they seem to be winning on the outside.4 Give the character a glimpse of life without The Lie. Probably from other characters, but it might be a personal glimpse. Let them start to wonder, to see some flaws in that Lie.Questions for the first half of the second act? Sure...1 How does the character react to stepping through the first doorway of no return, the first plot point?2 What tools can you give your character to start getting ready to break the Lie?3. What minor character (or characters) can mentor your hero, either through example or advice? What do they do or say?4 How could you show the hero the first step towards breaking the Lie?5 How will the character try to use the Lie to solve the plot problems?6 What will go wrong when they try this?7 What is the character’s reaction to these failures? What do they learn, how do they adjust? What do they try?8 How does the hero’s focus on the plot goal push him closer to what he Wants?9 How does getting closer to what he Wants pull him away from what he Needs?10 After stepping through the first doorway of no return, past the first plot point, how does the new world (or the changed normal world) give the hero a glimpse of life without the Lie?In the first half of the second act, your character is going to try very hard to reach the plot goal. He’s trying to get control and beat the conflict, and it might even seem to be working. But actually, it’s running away, with the Lie and the Want breaking down.This is where you can really explore the character, their personality, beliefs, and desires. Lots of chances for fun, conflict-filled scenes!Exercise? Try sketching out three to five possible scenes or bits for each of the four landmarks that Weiland recommends. Now, add in other scenes that you want or think might fit in this part. And try laying them out in different sequences. What happens if you do this one first, and that one last? Go ahead, play with it!Watch out, because the midpoint is coming. Our reactive hero is about to flip, and become active. But that’s the next episode!