Stephen C. Wright's Blog: The Wright Blog
September 17, 2019
Catalyst Characters
I was discussing a topic with my editor a few weeks ago about catalyst characters, and I thought I would share my thoughts on it.
A catalyst character is essentially a person (usually the main character) whose entire purpose is to connect the reader to the story. Catalyst characters are not even technically the hero of their own story. They are sometimes just a blank slate, a tool to observe the world and the story's events without being one of the main players.
In other words, catalyst characters are designed to be the audience themselves. Not a self-insert necessarily, but someone whose there to observe the world, but unable to make significant changes to it. The true protagonists, or story changers, are the ones around the catalyst, friends, family, even enemies.
I quite enjoy this concept, because it goes against the grain from your typical stories where the main character is only the focus of perspective, not narrative. It gives more credence to side characters and villains and allows more mystery to be brought to the reader since they are not reading the story from the perspective of someone in the know.
A catalyst character is essentially a person (usually the main character) whose entire purpose is to connect the reader to the story. Catalyst characters are not even technically the hero of their own story. They are sometimes just a blank slate, a tool to observe the world and the story's events without being one of the main players.
In other words, catalyst characters are designed to be the audience themselves. Not a self-insert necessarily, but someone whose there to observe the world, but unable to make significant changes to it. The true protagonists, or story changers, are the ones around the catalyst, friends, family, even enemies.
I quite enjoy this concept, because it goes against the grain from your typical stories where the main character is only the focus of perspective, not narrative. It gives more credence to side characters and villains and allows more mystery to be brought to the reader since they are not reading the story from the perspective of someone in the know.
September 16, 2019
Dipping my toes into writing
Ever since I was five years old, I was always fascinated with creating stories. I would keep a scribbler (journal) and write random short stories in it. Whenever a school project came up, I would try to implement some form of creative writing into it.
My first experience in professional writing started after high school. I was taking an economics major at Saint Mary's University in Halifax and quickly learned that I hated it. So I started exploring various avenues for my future. I eventually entertained the thought of fiction writing based off my past experiences. However, I realized that writing is not a guaranteed source of income. Statistically, the chances of me making it big is unlikely. Regardless, I had nothing else on the horizon, so I started writing.
After pitching various story ideas to friends and family, I committed to a story inspired by my all time favorite video game, Deus Ex. Deus Ex tells a story about technological advancement gone amok, and how human nature can exploit these advancements for personal power.
After years of writing, editing, procrastinating, and more editing, I realized that I might actually have a full fledged novel. Ten years in the making and my first book, The Disciples of Fire, was born. I hired a professional editor to fix all my mistakes, and an illustrator to create my cover, and before I knew it, I was ready to publish.
I published onto Amazon and various other Ebook sites, and two weeks later, here I am talking about my new book. It's been an exciting journey, and I look forward to what the future may hold.
My first experience in professional writing started after high school. I was taking an economics major at Saint Mary's University in Halifax and quickly learned that I hated it. So I started exploring various avenues for my future. I eventually entertained the thought of fiction writing based off my past experiences. However, I realized that writing is not a guaranteed source of income. Statistically, the chances of me making it big is unlikely. Regardless, I had nothing else on the horizon, so I started writing.
After pitching various story ideas to friends and family, I committed to a story inspired by my all time favorite video game, Deus Ex. Deus Ex tells a story about technological advancement gone amok, and how human nature can exploit these advancements for personal power.
After years of writing, editing, procrastinating, and more editing, I realized that I might actually have a full fledged novel. Ten years in the making and my first book, The Disciples of Fire, was born. I hired a professional editor to fix all my mistakes, and an illustrator to create my cover, and before I knew it, I was ready to publish.
I published onto Amazon and various other Ebook sites, and two weeks later, here I am talking about my new book. It's been an exciting journey, and I look forward to what the future may hold.
The Wright Blog
A casual blog where I write whatever is on my mind at the time. I'll talk about various topics about books, movies, games, etc...
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