tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681522276752048718.post1287813022730505328..comments2024-03-08T05:24:28.285-05:00Comments on Nevets.QST: Starting Point for Your StoryC. N. Nevetshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00375714948653196993noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681522276752048718.post-74206343716337305132010-08-17T13:57:31.079-04:002010-08-17T13:57:31.079-04:00I don't think I have the shoulders to carry a ...I don't think I have the shoulders to carry a theme like that. lolC. N. Nevetshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00375714948653196993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681522276752048718.post-57782700744946660602010-08-16T12:32:48.178-04:002010-08-16T12:32:48.178-04:00Endings are fun, as are themes. It's great to ...Endings are fun, as are themes. It's great to start with some idea you want to harp upon and then concretely embody it in a narrative without being preachy. Tough to do, though.Loren Eatonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12488412683340389286noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681522276752048718.post-8267912311255445712010-08-16T11:48:11.456-04:002010-08-16T11:48:11.456-04:00I probably should stress one point of clarificatio...I probably should stress one point of clarification. I start with <i>character</i>, which encompasses the subsets <i>a character</i> and <i>characters</i>, but is not identical with those sets.<br /><br />At a very basic level, a character in a story is an actor. Often that actor gets things attached to it such as a name, a description, a situation. In the development of character, a character also gets personality -- so behavior, expression, drive, foibles, desires, etc.<br /><br />At a deeper level, I think developed character also brings with it voice and psychology. When I conceive of <i>a</i> character, that voice and psychology are inherently dynamic.<br /><br />When I have the interaction of a dynamic psychology and voice with a developed character, I see a character development arc. Johnny's emotional and intellectual state is this and its condition is thus and it's tending towards becoming such.<br /><br />That's my best starting point. From there, it's just a matter of figuring out the plot or action points I want to through at the character to other enhance or combat that trend.<br /><br />And then the rest is details.C. N. Nevetshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00375714948653196993noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681522276752048718.post-51713015745988978942010-08-16T11:31:55.773-04:002010-08-16T11:31:55.773-04:00I keep trying to find a pattern between the starti...I keep trying to find a pattern between the starting point and the end result, and I can't find one. Of the few stories that I would call my best, two were inspired by character, one by setting, and one by plot. I do think starting from character is very helpful for me, but having a character alone has gotten me into jams. Somehow, the character needs to be intertwined with something else that creates movement for me.Davin Malasarnhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09385823575081492949noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3681522276752048718.post-69885440351762856112010-08-16T05:25:41.206-04:002010-08-16T05:25:41.206-04:00My method varies, but I tend to start with a singl...My method varies, but I tend to start with a single moment of action: a line of dialogue, a horseman with a flaming torch, a galley on the water. Then I flesh out how the situation arose.<br /><br />Characters normally come last for me. I don't really discover them until I start writing.Tim Strettonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08598897603628943741noreply@blogger.com