On Narrative Structure: Kishōtenketsu and Obokuri-Eeumi | Serpent Scribbles. I've never been fond of the popularly taught three act structure (setup -> conflict -> resolution). It's just never really suited the kind of stories I want to tell. It's too straightforward, too "neat" in many ways. Although I appreciate a tight, cleverly plotted tale as much as anyone, my personal writing style seems to be messier, more open-ended. I don't like the classical five act structure much either (exposition -> rising action -> climax -> falling action -> resolution), though that is a bit of an improvement. It's simply not the way I organize my narratives. In fact, most of my writing tends to fall naturally into a four part structure. Which I thought weird for the longest time, as in Western narratives, three act/five act structures have been pretty predominant. But even the work I don't deliberately or consciously try to structure tends to fall into four parts.
Or, to briefly sum up: 起 literally means "to rise" or "to start. " 合 (結) is "to unite/connect/join". Robleto-cd.jpg (JPEG Image, 700 × 525 pixels) Wk1_narrative_structures.pdf. 5 Tips for Bringing Characters to Life « Flash Fiction Chronicles. By J. Chris Lawrence Compelling fiction thrives on convincing characters. They are the flypaper that snares us mid-flight, the bones of every plot and story. The more realistic they are, the more vivid the reader’s window will be into their world.
Here’s my list of five tips for bringing characters to life: Tip #1: Give them senses Close your eyes. While omniscient narrators can show us everything, the characters force us to live the story. “Beijing was not new to pollution. Likewise, in Flash, where every word counts, a simple reference of a familiar sense can evoke a distinct personality or even an implied history with just a few words: “Stepping off the bus, my Father’s brisk hug swallowed me in Jovan Musk – the stench a stale reminder of cold dinners and Sunday School.” Tip #2: Give them quirks A character without strengths, weaknesses and motivations is not a character at all. Think about the people in your life.
Most quirks don’t need an explanation, but some deserve it. The Fatal Flaw - The Most Essential Element for Bringing Characters to Life. By Dara Marks Growth is the by-product of a cycle that occurs in nature; that which flowers and fruits will also eventually wither and go to seed. The seed, of course, contains the potential for renewal, but does not guarantee it, nor does the seed instantly spring to new life. There is a necessary dormancy where the possibility of death holds life in suspended animation. In the cycles of our own lives, these near-death moments are rich with heightened dramatic possibilities that the writer wants to capitalize upon. These are the moments in the human drama where the stakes are the highest, where our choices matter the most: What's it going to be, life or death?
This brings up the most essential demand for a well-dramatized script: In order to create a story that expresses the arc of transformation, a need for that transformation must be established. First, it's important to highlight the fundamental - organic - premise on which the fatal flaw is based: Finding the Fatal Flaw 1. Inspiration for Writers, Inc.: Writing Tips- Character-Development- Bring Characters to Life. Character Development Bring Characters to Life Giving life to a character is one of the most rewarding parts of being a writer. It's also one of the most difficult. Too many times in fiction we witness the "cardboard" or one-dimensional character. It takes more than the snap of a finger to create real characters, those we can visualize and root for and love. Instead, they develop over time, over many hours spent together.
As a writer, you need to think of the development of characters as being a process, a life cycle, instead of a moment of genius creation. CONCEPTION is the initial spark, the idea that originally causes us to want to create this character. During the conception phase, we need to start assigning characteristics (knowing that once our character takes on a life of his own, he may change any of our assumptions about him). The first breath of life is when our character has a goal or "character statement. " To become wealthy so the love of my life will return my love. NaNo Prep: The Official NaNoWriMo Character Questionnaire.
Want more preparation exercises? Check out National Novel Writing Month’s Young Writers Program’s Novelist Workbooks, which our nonprofit provides free-of-charge to more than 2,000 educators and 8,000 young writers around the world! “Most people think that an intriguing plot is what makes a story good, but the truth is that exciting plots are made up of original and well-developed characters. Not only are characters with hidden depths and secrets more fun to read about, they’re also more fun to write about. It’s a great idea for you, the author, to try and get to know your characters before you begin writing. We asked a team of scientists, mathematicians, and creative writing gurus from around the world: "What’s the easiest way for writers to get to know their characters?” Name:Age:Height:Eye color:Physical appearance:Strange or unique physical attributes:Favorite clothing style/outfit:Where does he or she live? Photo courtesy of Artsy Fartsy Mama.
No Plot? No Problem!: Five Secret Steps to Story Building. September is officially the start of NaNo Prep! To celebrate, we’re excerpting what some might call the NaNoWriMo Bible: No Plot? No Problem! By founder Chris Baty. Today, he shares five ways to get your story roiling: Once you have these steps down, you’ll be churning out books faster than Krispy Kreme churns out hot doughnuts. Construct the Cannon. You might have already answered the question “What does your main character want more than anything else?” Whether it’s true love, sweet revenge, or a cupcake-filled swimming pool, a character’s greatest desire is the cannon that propels her toward her destiny. Build the mountain. Create conflict, suspense, and heart-wrenching drama by stacking a mountain of setbacks (fears, weaknesses, villains, spider monkeys) in front of your protagonist.
Light the fuse. Plot the problems. Think of the last comedy you saw. Meet him or her on the other side. Excerpted by Michael Adamson, with permission from Chronicle Books. Photo by Flickr user ~db~. Writers Don’t Cry. How Not to Write a Novel: 7 Things That Will Doom Your Novel. There are a lot of ways not to do something. Like the new boat owner a few years ago who was filling up his pleasure craft with fuel for that first time out. Only he mistook the tube meant to hold fishing poles for the gas tank. After completing his work he started up the engine. The gas fumes ignited and blew the boat owner into the sky.
He came down in the drink and was rescued, but the boat was a goner. You can be just as creative in finding ways not to write your novel. So if not finishing or not selling are your goals, I’m here to help you with the following seven tips (also, grab this free download on how to write a novel): 1. Go to your favorite writing spot with your laptop or pad. You are waiting for inspiration. Until then, do not write a word. Of course, those who think it wise to finish their novels do things backwards. These poor souls think the secret to writing a novel is to write, and work through minor problems quickly, and major ones after the first draft is done. 2. 3.