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When Characters Try to Take Over The StoryEvery writer has the experience of characters acting and speaking in unexpected ways. With the most detailed story outline, once you begin writing a scene, characters do something that you hadn’t planned in your outline. When the protagonist or the antagonist speaks pithy words or acts in a surprising way, you are on the way to enriching your story and deepening your character. But sometimes a supporting character will grab the baton and try to run with the story. Like a stage actor stepping in front of the lead to gain the upstage position, while you are writing, a character takes the center stage away from your sleuth. Then your story gets derailed. How to Put A Character Back on TrackYou question your story, your character choice, and wonder how to get control of your character. You don’t have to go back and rewrite the first part of your novel. You don’t need to switch character roles to give the character a more prominent place. You do need to notice the character’s scene grab and consider your next action.
Balance Intuition and RationaleTake action before you write more. Your intuition created your character’s action. If what the character does overpowers the scene, trim the action to keep balance in your scene. Add another action for your main character to give your protagonist the main thrust in the scene. Then continue on with your story. Your story is the guideline to making every scene work. And it is the reason all your characters are there. They are the agents that move your story. Let them do and say what comes into your head as you write. Just make sure they are acting within the story construct. Whether you are a pantser or make detailed outlines, expect your characters to do the unexpected. Then fashion those actions to fit within your story. Photo by Zach Lucero on Unsplash
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Build Your Story Around the Main Events |
Zara Altair, Author The puzzle of politics, the mystery of murder in ancient Italy. After Rome, before the Middle Ages, Italy belonged to the Ostrogoths. Archives
November 2019
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