The Home of Steven Barnes
Author, Teacher, Screenwriter


Friday, July 15, 2005

Note on Writing

Just a quick note before I plunge into the day's work:

character and plot are two sides of the same coin. When you get stuck, ask questions such as:
1)  Why is this character the perfect POV to explore this situation?
2)  Why is this situation my character's worst nightmare, and how could it turn into the best thing that ever happened to him?
3) or: why is this situation the best thing that ever happened to my character, and how could it turn into his worst nightmare?
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Asking questions of this nature forces you to explore the connection between plot and character.  And it is in this exploration that you will find the bones of your work. 

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