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| Elements of writing a story: Character |
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To develop a good Horror/Scary story one needs to develop a good story.
Recapping the steps to developing a good story, we need to
1. Break down the basics of the story to a simple one or two word definition.
2, Decide which slant of the story, or genre, we want to use
3. Establish which elements (character, action, and/or setting) are necessary to convey the story basic.
4. Establish which characteristics and descriptions are necessary to support the element(s) above.
In the last issue we began discussing the use of Character as the primary vehicle in conveying the story basic. This issue we will take a closer look at how Character can be a support when Action and/or Setting is used as the central propulsion.
As always, genre is an important consideration when developing a story and the vehicles moving it. This element decrees much of the descriptions used and often what matters and what does not matter in building the story. It also directs the uses of the support character as well as how they are described.
So what are the uses of the support characters?
1. To help define the central character.
a. Much of the moral character of the protagonist is brought out by the moral character of his/her friends, enemies, and general associates.
b. Comments from supporting characters about the protagonist can be used to describe him/her physically, morally, emotionally, etc.
c. Reactions of the supporting characters to the protagonist can also describe and/or define him/her.
d. Reactions of the central character to the supporting characters can define him/herself
2.. To facilitate the Action.
a. A supporting character in the form of an antagonist of some sort elicits action from the protagonist and/or to creates obstacles to the action.
b. A supporting character can describe the action taking place.
c A supporting character can define the action taking place.
d. A supporting character can explain the action taking place.
3. To help define the Setting
a. Using stereotypical characters usually brings to mind specific settings or types of settings.
b. Comments from supporting characters about the setting can be used to describe it.
c. Reactions of the supporting characters to the setting can also describe and/or define the setting.
d. Actions of the supporting characters within the setting can describe and/or define the setting.
4. To define/explain the situation.
Descriptions of the supporting characters depend on both the genre being used and their use in the story. A rule of thumb in describing supporting characters is: the more important this character is to the story, the more description is necessary to use him/her to his/her greatest effect.
It is necessary in ”Robin Hood”, for instance, to know that the Sheriff of Nottingham and Prince John are utterly ruthless and without scruples. These characteristics serve numerous purposes. Among those purposes are eliciting action and defining the protagonist.
Their height, weight, etc. really have no relevance to the story. Such things can be used as symbols for their character, which is necessary to the story. Facial attributes can also be used symbolically (narrow, mean little eyes, etc.), but aren’t really necessary.
Descriptions of facial expressions, however, are very useful in defining character, both theirs and the protagonist’s. Descriptions of body stance are also useful in this way, as are descriptions of the tone of voice and pace of verbal delivery.
It is not necessary in ”Robin Hood” to know much about Maid Marion. Her only place in the story is to motivate some of the action and to help define Robin Hood’s character. Establishing Robin Hood’s love for her is sufficient for the former, and in that she could as easily be his sister, his mother, a respected teacher, and so forth. Establishing Robin Hood’s reactions to her being in danger is sufficient for helping to define Robin Hood’s character. Again, in using the character for that purpose, she could as easily be his sister, etc.
This comes to the final measurement of a supporting character. Is this character necessary at all? Could Maid Marion be left out completely? Could any one of or all of the Merry Men be eliminated? Could King Richard and the peasants?
Leaving these characters out would drastically change the story as we know it but the story could still be written with the same essential actions and elements. Break the concepts down to there is an injustice being done by the antagonist and the protagonist is driven to correct that situation. This is, essentially, the story of ”Robin Hood” and numerous others. Broken down this way, the only essentials are the protagonist and the antagonist. Everything and everyone beyond the action within this conflict is a fill in to facilitate it.
Truth: All of Shakespeare’s plays were based on the works of other authors. What makes Shakespeare’s plays so important is the development of his characters---major and minor. Studying these character developments is and of itself a full course in how to build a character.
The exercise for this section is to go through a number of stories and
1. Pick out the supporting characters
2. Figure out their use in the story
3. Figure out if there is enough or too much description of them to allow them to do their job in the story.
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Horror/Scary: August 23, 2006 Issue [#1217]
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