A Germ of a Plot

 

LalindeTo write a novel you will need: 

astory plus a character.

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

History,hangups and goals.

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

Some sort ofattitude to love and marriage.

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

The plot needs:

A plot goal

A conflict

Characterforced to face difficult situation.

Obstacles thatprevent character obtaining their goal.

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

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