McAnally's (The Community Pub) > Author Craft
I have a problem--I don't have a problem
Mickey Finn:
"can the quest to become a hero suffice?"
That's actually the basis of one of Cambell's story arcs. It's the basis for Star Wars ep4.
Just don't use "Unbreakable" for an example.
belial.1980:
I think that I had that concept in mind all along but just didn't articulate it till I asked myself the question, "What is the protagonist trying to accomplish?" I'm glad for everyone's reassuring imput.
And I'd definitely recommend Campbell's The Hero with a Thousand Faces It's not extactly light reading, but it's fascinating. It's interesting to see how all these archetypes exist today, Star Wars being a prime example.
Lanodantheon:
The way I've always seen and been taught about problems is like this:
A classically structured story is about a protagonist whose life begins in balance until his life is thrown out of balance and to regain balance in his life he must achieve his goal. The goal may have been there from minute one, but the goal of your character is to regain balance in his life.
You're writing an origin story? Look at it this way, Spiderman is really a romantic comedy. Peter Parker's goal from minute one is Mary Jane Watson, he wants her to notice him and he wants to be her S.O..
His life at the beginning of his story isn't perfect(He lives with his Aunt and is a total dork). The obstacle or problem that stands between Peter and his goal is the fact he is an awkward teenage dork with no social skills, standing or anything. He wants to impress MJ, but he doesn't know how or do it better than the other men in her life.
...until the day Peter's life is thrown out of balance when he gets bit by a spider and gets powers. As the story continues Peter's life gets more complicated the closer he gets to his goal.
THrow in some plot twist and BBEGs that are nothing more than higher obstacles and you have the classic story structure. our Origin story can be the same.
Answer 3 questions:
1)What is your main character's goal?
2) How is he/she going to achieve it?
3) What stands in the way of that goal?
Hope that helps.
BTW: I recommend Robert McKee's Story for all your writing needs.
belial.1980:
--- Quote from: Lanodantheon on August 03, 2009, 11:48:41 PM ---
Answer 3 questions:
1)What is your main character's goal?
2) How is he/she going to achieve it?
3) What stands in the way of that goal?
Hope that helps.
BTW: I recommend Robert McKee's Story for all your writing needs.
--- End quote ---
1) He wants to become a hero. When he's six years old he writes an essay about how he wishes he had superpowers so he can save lives, stop bad guys from hurting people and most of all, make his brother's cancer go away. (Wishful thinking in a harsh world. His brother dies and there's nothing anybody can do about it.)
2) When he's older he learns that he can acheive things that normal people can't. He wants to use these abilities to the benefit of others.
3) Lots of things. To name a few: his personal fears and frailties; a realization that his world's even darker and harsher than he could imagine; protagonists that want to kill him; the fact that he's just coming into his power and that this power can easily destroy him. Maybe worst of all--puberty. We all know how much that sucks. ;)
I think your questions further reinforce the structure I've finally started to apply to the chaotic mess I've had on my plate for so long. You insight's been very helpful. Thank you!
the neurovore of Zur-En-Aargh:
--- Quote from: Lanodantheon on August 03, 2009, 11:48:41 PM ---The way I've always seen and been taught about problems is like this:
A classically structured story is about a protagonist whose life begins in balance until his life is thrown out of balance and to regain balance in his life he must achieve his goal. The goal may have been there from minute one, but the goal of your character is to regain balance in his life.
Answer 3 questions:
1)What is your main character's goal?
2) How is he/she going to achieve it?
3) What stands in the way of that goal?
--- End quote ---
This is a great way to strip down a story so far that what it tells you is simplistic; and you can either write a completely predictable simplistic story - which is not to say it won't be commercial, just that I don't find that an interesting challenge because it's been done so many times - or you can try going a little bit further and doing something different and interesting which if it succeeds will be new and interesting and most likely a better book.
I've always found stories where the heroes knew what their goal actually was and proceeded towards it in an organsied and linear fashion to be a) unrealistic and b) boring as hell. It's a level on which I would far rather have surprises, reversals, people learning more and therefore realising that their goals should be something more than they think they are.
--- Quote ---BTW: I recommend Robert McKee's Story for all your writing needs.
--- End quote ---
I recommend watching the movie Adaptation to illustrate the pitfalls of taking McKee's advice without a serious pinch of salt.
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