  Action/Adventure
This week: Refusing the Call to Action Edited by: Storm Machine  
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“The most important things to remember about back story are that (a) everyone has a history and (b) most of it isn’t very interesting.” —Stephen King
"It belongs in a museum."
"So do you!" |
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Most of our characters don't jump in without looking back. This is a point where we listen to wisdom around us, whether we're going to take our characters to that next level or not.
What happens if your protagonist refuses the call?
I remember a line from Big Bang Theory where Amy tells Sheldon that if Indiana Jones hadn't gone seeking the treasure, the events would have still happened. “Indiana Jones plays no role in the outcome of the story. If he weren’t in the film, it would turn out exactly the same… If he weren’t in the movie, the Nazis would still have found the Arks, taken it to the island, opened it up, and all died, just like they did.”
How many of our books are really like this? That there are things going on and the world events might end up the same if you hadn't gone on your quest? But that's not the point of the book. It's not the point of Indiana Jones, either.
We have action. We have adventure. We have flawed characters and we have exotic locations. It's a perfect setup for a big story. We cheer for the hero and we chew our nails when he might not reach his goal. What would we do if Indiana Jones decided he'd just let the bad guys steal the treasure and go on about his normal professor-ly existence?
Our heroes respond with varying degrees of enthusiasm when it's time to answer the call to action. And that is important, because all of them are different. I have a friend who practically drags his protagonists through his books kicking and screaming, but it works on a dark comedic level that I haven't mastered. My characters are more likely to see the practical side or a positive side and take off after their goals after a bit of balking. Someone else might fall in head-first and struggle until the battle is won.
Know your character. Let the backstory lead them forward. Allow their flaws to be assets and weaknesses throughout the story. Like Indiana Jones- he's a bad boyfriend, a popular professor, and deeply involved in his side occupation of finding treasures that he thinks belong in museums.
Refusing the journey is important, no matter what kind of story you're writing. This is a point of reflection for the hero, a point where it seems easier to stay where you are, and allow that fear of this huge undertaking to make you scared or weak. From this point, we build into what's going to come next - that huge step-by-step up the mountain where we take on the big bad guys and - we hope - take them down. |
| | | Homesick (13+)
Homesick elf must steal a book of spells from a witch to get back home. Flash Fiction 504
#2078638 by Dave2write  |
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Monty 
You have made some great points in this News Letter. An action fight scene can take place in a love poem or short story. The N/L suggesting the writer following their intent covers this. Thank you.
Thank you.{{/i}/c}
scooter
i purposely try to be a bit vague in fight scenes, because, like you mentioned, i fear being too descriptive will bog the scene down. i am currently working on one of my longest fight scenes yet, and this is my biggest challenge. i have definitely been caught acting it out - my roommates are starting to get a little worried about me!
Tell them you're in the company of greats - more than one writer has been caught acting out scenes. Sometimes with swords made of swim noodles.
angorth
Perfect timing. I was about to try describing how a victim felt. Not about a fight but about an incident that happened to him, and your pointers at the top of this newsletter will help enormously. I am a newbie so it seems from your pointers and the way the posts have been written it is better to describe feelings rather rather than actions allowing the reader to form an image.
Good luck!
GRIMM
I do have to admit I have been mulling over what to do with the fight scenes and potential fight scenes coming with the story I am currently writing. I have very brief hand to hand scenes, but I know there is going to be ones that are longer later, and I have been trying to word it properly. Though I have never really thought about using sensations all with some physical descriptions before. It's a new perspective that I will definitely try.
I hope you find what works. |
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Action/Adventure: March 23, 2016 Issue [#7545]
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