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Heuristic Questionnaire for myself, when a scene or plot needs work. |
This is an experimental list of things that I might ask when I've got a plot issue. This question will help add drama when I've ducked trouble. Let the character tell you, "Boy, Am I glad that ___ didn't ___." Maybe make it into a complete rant! Then do the opposite. A plot can be sketched from four questions: The wannasoI. I want: So I: Hoping: Fearing: Instead: (Rinse and repeat.) A good cycle should leave things worse than they were, but rarely as bad as he feared. This can be an entire scene or a paragraph. If that's not enough: The Character wants: The Goal Means: He thinks the goal means: The character undervalues: The character overvalues: The character Fears: obstructed by: Aided by: Other interested Character: Traps and reversals: Mysteries: Stuff the character wouldn't notice but might change the game: example: a paranoid character won't notice allies. Can any of the obstacles turn out to be help? Stuff that he thinks hurts him might help? What is the most awkward thing your character could do? And, what would make her commit to that action so powerfully that nobody could look away? What is the most unexpected result that could bring? What could be revealed that has already (or could be already) been hinted at, that would make this preeminently sensible. |