A Germ of a Plot

 

Lalinde

To write a novel you will need: 

a story plus a character.

A character needs:- a personality, abilities and at one major motivation.

History, hangups and goals.

Relationships – to career, family, friends, lovers and pets.

Some sort of attitude to love and marriage.

Motivation is the thing that pushes us to attain our objectives and whether we acknowledge it or not, motivation drives most of us. We may not have a name for it but it gives meaning and purpose to a life worth living. It can be the spirit of competition or a need for social connection. Its absence can lead to mental illnesses or depression. Many of us will have concrete goals – to win a prize, marry a rich spouse, achieve excellence in something be it figure skating or writing poetry. Others may have more diffuse desires. A fictional character must have a strong objective, but it can be anything the author likes.

The plot needs:

A plot goal

A conflict

Character forced to face difficult situation.

Obstacles that prevent character obtaining their goal.

A setting – place, culture, time period plus the characters attitude to that setting.

Just reminding myself of the basics. Sometimes a good thing to do!