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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/10774-Finding-the-Why.html
Fantasy: May 19, 2021 Issue [#10774]




 This week: Finding the Why
  Edited by: Dawn Embers Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

Fantasy Newsletter by Dawn

There is a lot that goes into writing stories and developing characters. One element to consider is finding the reason, or the why, for the character and their actions.


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Letter from the editor

We often have to face many different questions when writing a story. One primary question you may have considered when creating a plot and/or main character is Why. Why does your character need to do anything? Why are things happening in the world? It's not just a single question either because asking a why can also spark others including what and how. So, let's take a little look at the question of why for writing fantasy and science fiction.

Why?

"Why is a wh-word. We use why to talk about reasons and explanations." (Cambridge Dictionary) The question is used in order to gain information, which makes it an ideal question when plotting or building a story. It can help during the writing process too, for those who pants more than plot, and overall, there are many times it can come in handy when creating fiction.

Why can be an important question. It's found within our world on many different levels, not just within the pages of our stories. There are even motivational speakers that use it for their basis. One example I found in a google search is one called Finding Your Why by Simon Sinek: https://simonsinek.com/find-your-why/. We have our own why answers, even why we write fiction and in particular why fantasy. That is another route you can explore if you want to delve into your own thoughts. Why are you writing? Or you can stick to making the characters answer the questions.

Another interesting site that goes for personal but could have some great use for getting insight into novel characters is a blog post: https://www.stage2planning.com/blog/bid/66703/5-Reasons-I-Love-The-Question-Why.... The author, Josh Patrick, explores some good aspects of what the question in particular can uncover. The key elements that I noticed in particular from his page is how the question why can provide clarity, motivation and is a great method for learning more information. If you're not sure what is going on with your character or how to get the story moving, try asking the why question and see what you can learn.

It can seem like such a simple thing, those pesky one word questions and yet, can bring all of the complications of multiple fantasy worlds. It's all in the answers you find and what you write. Have fun and create something!


Editor's Picks

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What a Character! : Official WDC Contest Open in new Window. (E)
Create a memorable character using the given prompt for huge prizes!
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WON: Madness is usually packaged in reasonable behavior. There will always be subscribers.
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Ask & Answer

What is the main character's "why" or reason for what they are doing in the story?


Last month, I discussed the idea of writing parodies or using humor in writing fantasy stories. Here is a comment sent in relation to the topic:


Comment by Elfin Dragon-finally published Author Icon
The best parody I've ever seen was for superheroes. It's a cartoon called "The Tick". It has superheroes like Carpeted-man, Die Fledermaus, Feral Boy, Four-Legged Man, Bi-Polar Bear, and the only one who actually is a hero, American Maid. *Laugh* This is a great cartoon because sometimes evil is just plain bad and you have to roll up the newspaper of goodness and smack it on the nose and say, "bad boy, bad boy".



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