  Action/Adventure
This week: Throw a curve to ignite adventure Edited by: Kate - Writing & Reading  
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Welcome to this week's edition of the Writing.Com Action Adventure Newsletter, where we journey and explore adventures as real as we dare to envision, between and outside the lines we create ^_^
"Why, I'd like nothing better than to achieve some bold adventure, worthy of our trip."
Aristophanes
"Adventure is worthwhile in itself."
Amelia Earhart
Each day is a blank page, an adventure to be written, action and re-action
~ be pro-active.
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Okay, our character has a quest, a goal, that he/she will seek to attain. And,the shortest distance from point A to point B is a straight line, but really, if that were to happen -- where's the adventure? Well, when our character has to overcome some obstacles, either external or self-imposed, that's the Adventure. And, how he/she reacts to the obstacles and continues the quest, that's the Action.
Action enhances the conflict and tension; and action is created when our hero encounters an Antagonist.
The Antagonist is as important to the adventure as the protagonist/hero. The antagonist creates a conflict, either external (an ambush along a path; stealing a map), or internal (our hero finds that he must act contrary to his/her nature in order to attain the next step to his quest - is it worth it?).
Your Antagonist's purpose is to keep the hero (or questor, if you prefer) from attaining his/her quest. Treat your Antagonist as a sentient being, whether animal, vegetable, mineral, human or other-world. The Antagonist has as much of a quest as does the hero - it's to keep the hero from attaining the quest. As a writer, know the Antagonist's reason for thwarting the hero's progress and, based on the nature of the Antagonist, use believable means to try and do so. For example, a rockslide that buries a path, forcing a detour, could be caused by another mortal seeking the same goal, or perhaps merely an errant bear guarding her cubs, but there's this cave opening on the road that might be a shortcut, or a detour. The hero must make a choice in order to keep going.
The Antagonist creates obstacles, physical or emotional which forces the hero to take the initiative and do something to advance his quest and continue the adventure. The consequences to his reaction to the obstacle move the story, add depth to the quest, and affect the hero's (and reader's) perception.
 Interaction with the Antagonist increases peril, emotional or physical to incite choices - Action and Reaction.
So, Action effectively allows the Adventure to unfold, changing the hero as he continues on his quest. The choices made, or not made, are noticed by the perceptive reader, who can more fully empathize with the hero.
To do this, to draw the reader into the conflict, know your Antagonist; build for him/her/it a reason for being, a reason for the need to keep the hero from attaining the quest and, by creating points of contact (conflict), gradually allow the hero and reader to decipher the reason and incite them to make choices.
Ask the same questions you ask your hero - Who am I? What is my purpose? Why is it important? What will change if I attain/don't attain my goal? How do I do it?
Have your Antagonist create points of conflict external (sentient being, environmental obstacle, landscape hurdles) and internal (choices the hero must make to attain the quest, perhaps refuting or changing long-standing beliefs).
Knowing your Antagonist and revealing what you know via conflict and resolution along the way will help your reader identify with the hero and embrace the adventure he's embarked upon.
Write On
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading |
I hope you enjoy the action and conflict in the following selections; see how the Antagonist (mortal or other) interacts with the 'hero' - and spend a few minutes sharing your comments with the authors. Then take the challenge and create your own adventure where the distance between point A and point B is an active adventure
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#1841069 by Not Available. |
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#1840922 by Not Available. |
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#1840359 by Not Available. |
| |  | Over the Edge (13+)
Sarge in pursuit. Noah and Jacob had only 400 feet to escape, but one had other plans...
#1730953 by BScholl  |
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#1833313 by Not Available. |
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#1825425 by Not Available. |
| | | It Had to Happen (ASR)
A spoof of James Bond's ilk: villains, weapons, evil plots, and more! (Honorable Mention)
#1152876 by LeeReay  |
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Have an opinion on what you've read here today? Then send the Editor feedback! Find an item that you think would be perfect for showcasing here? Submit it for consideration in the newsletter!
https://www.Writing.Com/go/nl_form
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I thank you for inviting me into your virtual home, and hope you've enjoyed this interlude with the Antagonist ~ may yours create some intriguing, solvable conflicts on the road to attaining your quest.
Until we next meet,
Write On
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading
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Action/Adventure: January 18, 2012 Issue [#4829]
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