Character Sheets - Planning the Perfect Character Arc

[EloiseA]

When I'm working out the story/novella, I do something similar to what Teresa describes which I think of as a shuffleboard collage of images, scenes, notes on histories, snippets of backstory, tunneling into each character. As I mentioned before (and I must get a copy of Blake Snyder's 'Save the Cat') I start at a very intense place, looking at a specific hunger, need, desire.

As I get to know the characters they become more complex or contradictory. Sometimes the desire changes, and then the plot takes off in a new direction. A big turning point is when there is conflict or collusion between characters, how they impact on one another. It is slow going though and when I get stuck, it is often because I have lost sight of a character or don't know where I'm going with an interaction. Then I go back to collage work, involve myself in a more random and free-associative way.

 

[HoopyFrood]

I can see that in a film, which is a short form** compared to today's size of novel, that sort of thing is necessary, otherwise the film would be half over before that "want" was identified.

Yes, the 'single desire', as we called it, is the most important element of the film. It is the driving force, giving the character motivation, getting the audience involved and creating the structure of the film -- when the character gets (or doesn't get) their desired thing, that's the end of the film.

Anyway, back to you novelists... *slinks away*