Blog # 4 – Character motivation

“Motivation is the power behind plot.”  Elizabeth Moon

Why do characters act or do as they do?  The answer lies with motivation.

Since characters will not act unless motivated, it’s the writer’s job to ensure motivation is retained and understood for forward movement of the storyline.  An understanding of the motivation must be ensured not only with the character and writer but must be conveyed in a convincing way to the reader.

Some of the key motivators writers use to drive plot are: greed, resentment, revenge lust, love, glory, vengeance, knowledge, fear, hunger, joy, pain, sadness, guilt –  and the list goes on.

Reason or cause usually prompts the character’s actions.  But additionally, he/she must possess the requisite skills necessary to carry out the plans. .

If the reader deems the character is “acting out of character” or would not do what is written – the author has failed to deliver.  A gardener would not end up in an operating room performing brain surgery. A little exaggerated but you get the point.

Here are a couple of passages from my book, “Son of My Father – A Family Dynasty” revealing a character’s motivation.

“Constant self-examination plagued Christiana, as she tried to measure up, to meet, and to exceed all his expectations. She lived in the shadow of, yet in the likeness of, her father.”

“Marriage and family were overshadowed by Christiana’s career. She had to succeed. Failure was not an option.  ‘Barringtons never fail. Barringtons think only of success.’

Jonathan’s quote frequently appeared in her thoughts.”

Welcome your comments and ideas.  Thanks for reading.

Peggy

My husband and I were supposed to be out of town last week with my brother and sister-in-law. However, a call from our daughter requesting child care assistance made for a prompt change of plans.

The thirteen year old granddaughter had a “High School Presentation Night” and both parents desired to attend to talk with representatives from a number of parochial high schools.  We were to watch the two younger children for the evening.

My daughter mentioned the middle child had been home for three days with the flu.    

Armed with that information we readied for their arrival. We set up an infirmary downstairs in the family room (stocked the refrigerator, placed microwavable popcorn and soups on top the microwave oven) for the sick granddaughter. Additional nourishment was brought down and I continued periodic visual checks and talked with her when I could tear her away from her TV programs on the big screen television.

Dinner was prepared and served upstairs for the others before their departure to school. Shortly after the two of them left, (my son-in-law met them directly at the school); the youngest, the grandson, started to cough.  

He was still awake when they returned and after discussing and hearing the coughing fits; my daughter contacted the on-call doctor. With the call concluded my husband and daughter head off to the pharmacy to buy allergy medicine. The physician did not think it was the flu as the child was not exhibiting other symptoms.

Oh, I forgot to mention, my daughter was just recovering from a cold and my son-in-law now in residence was REALLY SICK.

Come Friday – the oldest granddaughter was the only one heading to school and my husband took her as he was heading to a meeting.  Friday evening – was very subdued – all were still sick – all were still here.

Saturday morning my husband had developed a sore throat – but still pushed through his day. My grandson’s persistent cough made for a very restless night and the sick granddaughter felt worse.  The parents marched off to the doctor with the two young ones in tow.  The oldest stayed with me.

Conclusion from their pediatrician – grandson had the flu and granddaughter added sore throat to her list of symptoms and had a throat culture done.

Everyone back here, except my husband who was at an all day seminar.

Now that MY WHOLE HOUSE WAS CONTAMINATED WITH GERMS – they decided the best alternative, so that we wouldn’t get sick, was to head home.

I explained we had already been very exposed and were here to help but it fell on deaf ears as they packed (taking another hour since they brought enough clothes and other belongings to be away for a month) and left in their two cars. The really sick ones drove home with my son-in-law while my daughter took the oldest to drama class.

Saturday afternoon – I unleash disinfectant throughout the house, clean countertops, wash all the laundry . . . but by evening, I was fighting something.

Sunday – Was still fighting it and stayed in all day. 

Monday – It was still with me . . . as I wandered off for another glass of orange juice.

Now it was too quiet around here – wished they were back germs and all.

Thanks for reading – welcome your comments.

Peggy

“. . . It’s not the stories – it’s the pain and the joy and the people who stay with us long after the stories are told . . .” John Geddes, A Familiar Rain

To escape into the lives of the wealthy and glamorous, if only awhile, is the reason many of us like fiction.

It transports us.

Writing a novel embracing wealth, power, fame and the luxurious life styles afforded such riches; I wanted to cast the female protagonist as one who epitomized the ultimate in beauty, style, and sophistication.

Christiana Lynn Barrington was created from that perspective. The reader starts to envision the character from outward physical characteristics.  She graces the room with her elegant five feet seven inch svelte and meticulously toned body, mesmerizing gray-green eyes, radiant skin, long thick wavy rich brown hair, and dressed in head-to-toe designer couture.

Refinement and pedigree carry her every move. She is a product of the best of both gene pools – her handsome intelligent father and gorgeous sophisticated mother.

Additional attributes are added. She’s fluent is multiple languages; pursues and enjoys swimming, tennis, skiing, power boating, traveling and reading. A pedigree education highlighted by Swiss boarding school and American Ivy League Universities, both undergraduate and graduate, charts her path to the corporate doors of Barrington Holdings International the family run multi-national conglomerate.

Soft-spoken, humble, gracious and warm hearted, for someone who “seems to have it all”, she remains grounded. Sometimes introspective and tormented with insecurities and self-doubt – “Constant self-examination plagued Christiana, as she tried to measure up, to meet, and to exceed all his expectations. She lived in the shadow of, yet in the likeness of, her father”.

Some of these qualities work to her detriment in the corporate setting as she is pitted against her egotistical billionaire father. Conflict and tensions are foreshadowed.

Accompanied by a picture (resembling my image of the character), I used the basic tenets: physical description, ethnicity, social class, family, education, spouse, residence, occupation, job skills, hobbies, recreation, personal qualities, health, tastes, clothing, culture, community activities, political affiliations, ambitions, fear, anxieties and personal philosophies, to design a blueprint to weave these distinctive details throughout the story.

To assure my character continued to have scope and depth, some of the concrete and symbolic character dimensions were revealed early in the storyline or at least foreshadowed.

Further character dimension was derived from conflict, personal stress, relationship tension as the story opened drawing the reader into the moment.

But not too much can be disclosed too soon.

Continuing the storyline, additional character details are divulged – quirky personality characteristics, painful setbacks or disappointments, meaningful and instructive experiences, and attitudes.  Each character starts to become “lifelike” with distinct characteristics, painstakingly crafted with specific determinations revealed through words, thoughts, dialogue, body language and actions.

In developing, adding, defining or refining the character (s) I continued to ponder these questions:

1. Has enough information been given to the reader to visualize the character?
2. Does the character elicit emotion – is he/she liked, loved, disliked or despised?
3. Does the character mature, change or evolve along the way or by the end of the story? Is it evident when change starts to take place?
4. Do the most powerful characters show vulnerability?
5. Do any allegiances change, terminate or get destroyed in the course of the story?

Even when we close or finish the book – the characters can live on and leave lasting impressions.

I welcome your comments and other ideas of designing fascinating characters. Thanks for reading.

Peggy

Peggy@peggyhattendorf.com

 “There are no shortcuts to any place worth going,”   Beverly Sills

This quote certainly held true with the writing and publishing of my first novel – Son of My Father – A Family Dynasty.  The following is the journey I took along with the tools I had or acquired along the way.

My interest in writing developed from my earlier careers commencing in the human services field where I held various executive positions which afforded the opportunity to compose and create technical and operational handbooks for staff and volunteers.

I then ventured into the travel industry and owned several travel management companies which led to the co-founding of a marketing consortium and nationwide independent contractor network with over 5000 members. A part of my job was to write daily travel briefings, supplier updates and a bi-weekly e-newsletter for this membership.

There was a road map of sorts to follow when writing for these focused groups with reference guides, employee manuals, travel supplier information and travel advisory bulletins etc.

Writing fiction, however, required a major retooling of my skills. Seminars, author readings and signings, webinars, research, conferences, periodicals all assisted in my learning process.

Here are some of the key pointers that helped me question and define my approach:

• Purpose (What is my aim or goal? Do I have determination and resolve?)
• Focus (What’s the central point? Do I have the concentration and vision?)
• Substance (What is the framework or essence on which I am to build?)
• Logic (Is there sound reasoning and thinking? Does this make sense?)
• Organization (What type of the process will be necessary?)
• Information (Do I have the enough facts and data? Need more research?)
• Knowledge (How will my experience and wisdom assist in this pursuit?)

 But a novel is meant to be enjoyed. It’s not a textbook. 

The following elements I learned remain benchmarks to good storytelling. Thus the list of prominent skills continues:

• Creativity (Do I have the imagination and inspiration?)
• Imagery (Can I form mental images of my characters?)
• Humor (Can I add wit? DO I have a sense of humor to carry me through?)
• Excite (Do my characters and plot stir emotions or feelings?)
• Entertain (Do my characters and plot hold one’s attention?)

This composite of cerebral and the emotional qualities, along with a convincing and compelling style, are vital to connect and engage the reader. The other essentials: character development, plot and pacing, entice the reader to want more and aim for the wow at the end.

But what comes first in the creative process – the character/ characters or the storyline?

For me it began with a character. Cautiously triumphant at the development of my protagonist, I thought the flood gates to the storyline would stream forth . . . . The most I pressed on, the more I took pause.

After months of contemplation, I experienced an epiphany.  Although reluctant to abandon the present characterization of my female lead, it was clear I couldn’t move her or the storyline forward without major adjustment.

I was weary with the character and knew if I was bored with her my readers too would lose interest.

The re-casting began. She would not longer be a “party girl” but rather would have a pedigree education (Swiss Boarding middle school and Ivy League university degrees), and a defining career running a worldwide conglomerate with her father struggling with the tensions and conflicts of their contentious relationship.

She was named Christiana Lynn Barrington. As the new creation of Christiana unfolded, I finally had my storyline. The pieces, the characters, the overall conceptual plan was formulated.

I developed a reference guide for each main character outlining the basic tenants and data (outward description, personality traits, disposition, temperament, style, achievements/goals, interests/hobbies etc.)

With the written narrative, I found a picture that captured the essence of the character. Attaching the resume behind the picture, I had a visual aid that I affixed on a bulletin board in my office for easy reference.

 Glancing at a picture of one of my characters – noting his sly grin, mischievous smile, penetrating eyes, – helped me pinpoint dialogue and plot development.

This approach to character development and writing motivation won me acknowledgement and narrative last year in Writer’s Relief.  This gave me a much needed confidence boost.

Now the story developed some bit and momentum.  My characters were forming, conflicts both personal and business ebbed and flowed, tension and intrigue was building.   

There truly were no shortcuts but I know the place I’m going is a place clearly worth going to.

My plan is to offer ideas and suggestions on writing cultivated and acquired from various sources, along with interesting tidbits about my passion for travel. In between you will find bits of irony, exasperation and humor that get us through the day.

I’d welcome your comments and am reachable at:

Peggy@peggyhattendorf.com.