The Five W's (Kickstart Creativity Toolkit #1)
Before you begin a narrative project such as a novel or short story you should really know what it is you're going to write. Sure, it's easy to have a great idea for a scene or a conversation that sparks the genesis for that great tale you want to tell but the trap a lot of writers fall into is not being able to answer the question of "What Happens Next?"
Writing any kind of narrative, especially a novel is often a test of will and endurance. Nobody wants to start and fail so I believe you give yourself the best chance to succeed in your quest if you know as much about your Five W's before diving in.
THE FIVE W's
Who, what, when, where and most importantly… Why?
WHO
Who is your protagonist?
Who does your protagonist care about most?
Who is this story about?
Who stands in their way?
Who do they meet while trying to overcome the obstacles in their path?
Who holds the answers to the questions?
Who does not want the truth revealed?
Who benefits from any good or bad deeds?
Who benefits from any actions?
Who will win in the end?
WHAT
What does your protagonist's normal life look like?
What do they normally do?
What is their normal routine?
What are they afraid of?
What are their faults?
What happens that permanently alters the trajectory of your protagonist's life? What do they plan to do about it?
What is holding them back?
What makes them decide to take on a life-altering journey?
What is the first thing they do on this journey?
What will they do the first time misfortune strikes?
What is the antagonist capable of?
What will they discover that will change everything their journey was all about? What is the worst thing that could happen?
What will cause your protagonist to face their worst fear?
What will they do to overcome this worst-case scenario?
What does success entail?
What will they do when they reach their goal?
What will happen if they fail?
What will they do if they ultimately succeed/fail?
What does it all ultimately mean?
WHEN
When does your protagonist's normal life take place?
When does the inciting incident happen to forever alter this normal life?
When does your protagonist decide to take action?
When do they leave on their journey?
When do they have their first encounter outside of their comfort zone?
When do things get difficult enough that your protagonist really questions their journey?
When does the event happen that alters everything this journey was about?
When is the worst time that the worst-case scenario could happen?
When does your protagonist feel that things couldn't be any worse?
When does your protagonist spring into action to ultimately reach their goal?
WHERE
Where does your protagonist call home?
Where are the boundaries of your protagonist's comfort zone?
Where physically, emotionally or spiritually does your protagonist have to go to leave on their journey?
Where will that journey take them?
Where do they most fear to go?
Where could the worst possible thing that could happen, happen?
Where will your protagonist make his or her final stand?
WHY
Why does your protagonist have to leave their comfort zone and undertake this journey?
Why can't they go it alone?
Why should the reader care about the protagonist's journey?
Why does the worst-case scenario happen?
Why does your protagonist have to succeed?
Why will it take every resource at his or her disposal?
Why is it important that he or she succeeds or fails in the end?
I may have missed a few… please feel to post any of the other Five W's you think are important in the comments!
