TECH: Truby’s 22 Steps? First 3!

[mbarker]

Original posting 2022/3/4

Hum, that’s interesting. I was listening to the Writing Excuses podcast this week, and they mentioned a plot structure I hadn’t run into before. Truby’s 22 Steps? Google gave me a set of links to examine, and… interesting. Let’s take a look at some of them…

https://luisanaduarte.com/2018/03/02/trubys-22-steps/ has the whole set, with some descriptions. Looking at them, let’s take the first three, since they seem to be somewhat independent of plot or action, more digging into the character…

1. Self-revelation, need, and desire
Self-revelation: The character’s realization of what they need to change/accomplish.
Need: Both a psychological and a moral need.
Desire: The character’s main goal.
These three are elemental when discovering where your character will end up.

My comment: Okay. Start with what the character thinks they need to change or accomplish. Add in a need, and a desire. Mix well, to get an idea of where this character is going.

2. Ghost and story world
Ghost: The history of the character. That which still haunts the character and may cause struggle. Basically,  the character’s ‘backstory.’
Story World: Simply, the world surrounding the character and their daily life.

My comment: aha! The character’s background, where are they coming from, and what is the world like around them. Sure…

3. Weakness and need
Weakness: The flaws in the character. Can be moral and/or psychological. Usually, characters have both. In other words, the internal damage of the character that impedes them from becoming their best self.
Need: The change the character must go through in order to become their best self.

My comment: So, we have a flawed character, who needs  something to become great? Okay, where do they have problems, and what do they need to achieve.

It seems to me as if these three steps are really aimed at understanding the character. What do they think they need, where are they coming from (and what surrounds them), and what do they actually need? Sure, let’s work up the character to start.

What do you think? Do you usually start with these steps?

Exercise? Well, if you have a work in progress or one that you are thinking about, consider these three steps. Can you fill in the details of these for your character?

Write!