Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets a Novelist Can Learn From Actors by Brandilyn Collins Page A
Authors: Brandilyn Collins
Tags: Writing
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If Fernand’s initial Action Objective (“To convince Mercedes to marry me”) serves as the first D, his Desire, what are the other three?
The other three Ds lead the scene in logical progression from Fernand’s Desire to the answering end.
Distancing: The series of conflicts leading to the Denial. Fernand can’t persuade Mercedes to change her mind. She won’t yield in the face of guilt or any of the other arguments Fernand presents. Then she becomes angry with him. She refuses to allow herself the smallest doubt that Edmond will return. When Fernand continues to imply that Edmond could be dead or untrustworthy, Mercedes goes even further, declaring that if Edmond were to die, she would die, too. In short, there is no way that Fernand can ever win her love, even with Edmond out of the picture.
Denial: Fernand sees Mercedes in the arms of his rival, again declaring her love for Edmond even to the point of killing herself if Edmond were to die.
Devastation : Not only has Fernand failed to win Mercedes for himself, but now in order to see her again even in friendship, he must extend his hand to the man he despises. The deed proves too much for him.
3. Think of your own main character? What is his or her Desire?
Have you stated this Desire in the form of an action verb? Is it specific and just right for your story? Does it have a desired action followed by the ultimate goal (in other words, two prongs)?
4. Take a look at one of your scenes.
Determine each character’s initial Action Objective and subsequent objectives. Are they clear? Do the characters act and react with logical coherence? Do any of their actions seem out of sync with their overall Desire? Make any changes necessary to strengthen the scene, applying the Four Ds and Action Objectives as needed.
FROM: Sidetracked (stand-alone suspense), by Brandilyn Collins.
SETTING: Small-town Kentucky, present day. First chapter.
In the beginning comes the end.
April in Redbud, Kentucky brings to full bloom the trees that give our town its name. Pink blossoms against blue sky. Daffodils push up yellow and sassy. Lilies are still in stem but boast lush promise. Tulips splash the yards, multicolored and fragile. Spring days are warm without summer’s humid oppression. The time of renewal.
Spring was my favorite season. Once.
In the dark just after nine-thirty I drove away from the town’s Methodist church, a white wooden building with a tall steeple. I was the last to leave Clara Ann Crenshaw’s wedding shower, having stayed around to clean up. After all, I was the one who’d thrown the party for Clara. She had left a few minutes before, her car chock full of presents. The rest she’d left behind to pick up the following day. I locked them up in the church.
Clara was twenty-two, vibrant and in love with life. In love with Jerald Allen, too, who would become her husband in June. The church hall had been full of her friends, young and old. The rip of wrapping paper, laughter, and clink of forks against cake plates vibrated in the air. A true celebration. Clara wore her signature bright blue to match her sparkling eyes. Rosy-cheeked, she hugged me hard before she left. “You’re next, Delanie,” she whispered in my ear. “Mrs. Andrew Bradshaw.”
I smiled. Andy had carried that look in his eye lately. I hoped I was reading him right. I was thirty-four already and so wanted to be his wife. Build my own real family—even though it would mean breaking up the pseudo one I’d gathered around me. Folks in town just knew Andy and I would be married before the year was out.
When you live in a town of twenty-five hundred, everyone assumes your business is theirs.
I drove out of the church’s parking lot and rolled down quiet Chester Avenue. Streetlights spilled over the tree-lined sidewalks. No one else in sight. Redbud always shuts itself up early. At Walton Street I went left, my house about a half mile away. One block over ran
The other three Ds lead the scene in logical progression from Fernand’s Desire to the answering end.
Distancing: The series of conflicts leading to the Denial. Fernand can’t persuade Mercedes to change her mind. She won’t yield in the face of guilt or any of the other arguments Fernand presents. Then she becomes angry with him. She refuses to allow herself the smallest doubt that Edmond will return. When Fernand continues to imply that Edmond could be dead or untrustworthy, Mercedes goes even further, declaring that if Edmond were to die, she would die, too. In short, there is no way that Fernand can ever win her love, even with Edmond out of the picture.
Denial: Fernand sees Mercedes in the arms of his rival, again declaring her love for Edmond even to the point of killing herself if Edmond were to die.
Devastation : Not only has Fernand failed to win Mercedes for himself, but now in order to see her again even in friendship, he must extend his hand to the man he despises. The deed proves too much for him.
3. Think of your own main character? What is his or her Desire?
Have you stated this Desire in the form of an action verb? Is it specific and just right for your story? Does it have a desired action followed by the ultimate goal (in other words, two prongs)?
4. Take a look at one of your scenes.
Determine each character’s initial Action Objective and subsequent objectives. Are they clear? Do the characters act and react with logical coherence? Do any of their actions seem out of sync with their overall Desire? Make any changes necessary to strengthen the scene, applying the Four Ds and Action Objectives as needed.
FROM: Sidetracked (stand-alone suspense), by Brandilyn Collins.
SETTING: Small-town Kentucky, present day. First chapter.
In the beginning comes the end.
April in Redbud, Kentucky brings to full bloom the trees that give our town its name. Pink blossoms against blue sky. Daffodils push up yellow and sassy. Lilies are still in stem but boast lush promise. Tulips splash the yards, multicolored and fragile. Spring days are warm without summer’s humid oppression. The time of renewal.
Spring was my favorite season. Once.
In the dark just after nine-thirty I drove away from the town’s Methodist church, a white wooden building with a tall steeple. I was the last to leave Clara Ann Crenshaw’s wedding shower, having stayed around to clean up. After all, I was the one who’d thrown the party for Clara. She had left a few minutes before, her car chock full of presents. The rest she’d left behind to pick up the following day. I locked them up in the church.
Clara was twenty-two, vibrant and in love with life. In love with Jerald Allen, too, who would become her husband in June. The church hall had been full of her friends, young and old. The rip of wrapping paper, laughter, and clink of forks against cake plates vibrated in the air. A true celebration. Clara wore her signature bright blue to match her sparkling eyes. Rosy-cheeked, she hugged me hard before she left. “You’re next, Delanie,” she whispered in my ear. “Mrs. Andrew Bradshaw.”
I smiled. Andy had carried that look in his eye lately. I hoped I was reading him right. I was thirty-four already and so wanted to be his wife. Build my own real family—even though it would mean breaking up the pseudo one I’d gathered around me. Folks in town just knew Andy and I would be married before the year was out.
When you live in a town of twenty-five hundred, everyone assumes your business is theirs.
I drove out of the church’s parking lot and rolled down quiet Chester Avenue. Streetlights spilled over the tree-lined sidewalks. No one else in sight. Redbud always shuts itself up early. At Walton Street I went left, my house about a half mile away. One block over ran
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