To recap, I’m reading through Story Genius by Lisa Cron and sharing my insights as well as my efforts in the book exercises as I plan my next novel. Last month’s assignment was The Story Nugget in which I scribbled out the “what if”—the basic premise of the story. It was rudimentary and will definitely bear refining and revising, but the essential nugget is there.
This month, the focus is on the protagonist. As this chapter explains, the plot can’t be developed in any meaningful way without a deep understanding of the protagonist because this is who drives the story. Any plot points, twists, conflicts, or resolutions are solely based on who the character is, why she makes the choices she does, and what those consequences (good or bad) mean to her.
Your goal, as always, is to infuse what your protagonist has done with the internal reason why they did it. Never lose sight of this simple fact: it’s not just about what your protagonist did, it’s about why. (Chapter 4, The Who, p. 65)
My big epiphany on why this is important was the realization that events (the plot) can be universal. Missing a bus, getting stuck in an elevator, or finding a $100 bill on the street can happen to anyone. What makes the story unique is WHO these things happen to and how their individual backgrounds and characteristics lead them to make certain choices, which lead to specific consequences, which drive the all-important internal conflict. 💡💡💡(Y’all, this book is so on point!)
The present challenge is to write a brief character sketch of the protagonist as they are before the “what if” happens. This isn’t a physical description (unless, of course, they have a physical characteristic that has shaped their experience) but an overview of what kind of person they are. And it’s important to know how they were Before so the After will be significant and meaningful.
Here’s my character sketch:
Quinn Everly has lived an essentially perfect life. She was adopted as a newborn by a wealthy, old-Boston-money couple, went to the best private schools, graduated from an Ivy League college, and is on track for a highly successful career as a financial broker of some sort. She was their only child and was showered with love and everything else she ever needed or wanted, but she’s not spoiled. She’s smart and down-to-earth. She works hard and is genuinely grateful for everything she has. She is engaged to a wonderful, handsome, successful man who grew up like she did (maybe from New York?). They met in college and now work at the same financial firm. She’s happy and content with where her life is and where it’s going.
I’m also pretty sure she plays an orchestra instrument (clarinet?) and played a sport (polo sounds good), but this is her in a nutshell the day before things go awry. Hopefully this will set up some of the internal conflict when she’s faced with whether or not to find out more about the circumstances of her birth.
If you have a story bubbling up too, why not play along? And let me know about it!
Hope you’ve had a wonderful month. Go read a good book, write some words, smile in the sunshine, and hug your people. 📖 📝 😎 💕
Tip of the Month
I learn so much by talking to other writers, and one of the best habits I’ve learned from a dear writer friend is how to brainstorm before each writing session. For me at least, writing is more often than not like coaxing one word at a time out of the air and onto the page. One. Word. At. A. Time. And it takes forever.
What I’ve started doing before I even put my fingers to the keyboard is brainstorming—on real paper, with a real pen—what I want to happen in the scene. I jot down what’s going on, what needs to happen, what the POV character is feeling, and how any other characters might react to what happens. This helps to bring the scene more alive in my head and solidify its purpose. And when I have this all fresh in my mind, the words seem to flow more easily when I do start to type than if I just sat down cold and tried to pick up where I left off. Give it a try!
Read Any Good Books Lately?
Another wonderful Bookbub find, I read The Lighthouse Keeper’s Daughter by Hazel Gaynor this month. I love historical fiction and was especially fascinated to learn that this story was inspired by true events.
1838: Northumberland, England. Longstone Lighthouse on the Farne Islands has been Grace Darling’s home for all of her twenty-two years. When she and her father rescue shipwreck survivors in a furious storm, Grace becomes celebrated throughout England, the subject of poems, ballads, and plays. But far more precious than her unsought fame is the friendship that develops between Grace and a visiting artist. Just as George Emmerson captures Grace with his brushes, she in turn captures his heart.
1938: Newport, Rhode Island. Nineteen-years-old and pregnant, Matilda Emmerson has been sent away from Ireland in disgrace. She is to stay with Harriet, a reclusive relative and assistant lighthouse keeper, until her baby is born. A discarded, half-finished portrait opens a window into Matilda’s family history. As a deadly hurricane approaches, two women, living a century apart, will be linked forever by their instinctive acts of courage and love.
Loved it! I might have cried…
Did You Know?
A contronym is a word that has different meanings that are opposite of each other. Some examples:
Clip can mean to fasten or to detach.
Dust can mean to sprinkle or to remove particles.
Overlook can mean to monitor closely or fail to notice.
Isn’t English awesome? 🤓
And Finally …
I hope you’re enjoying your summer and going on grand adventures with your favorite people! 💕😎💕