Revelation while on the elliptical trainer...

Yep, it happened again. I was singing along to The Trouble With Love and one of my stories (the contemp, set here on the West Coast) immediately came into my mind. As I listened to the words, I knew they were perfect for my hero and just let the ideas flow, not trying to force them. The plot has been stalled for a while and I think part of the problem is I keep trying to MAKE things happen, rather than allowing the story to tell itself.

So anyway, I'm singing along, and the idea came to me! Even ties into the conflict and everything :) I didn't have any paper handy, but was close enough to the end of my workout that I didn't lose my train of thought. As soon as I was done, I hopped off and walked the three steps to the notepad (yep, so near and yet so far) and jotted down the idea before it slipped through my brain.

Yay!

Don't you just LOVE when inspiration strikes and a plot element is revealed?!


Teresa

Currently Reading: Keeping the World Away by Margaret Forster
Link of the Day: DuaneBurnett.com - fantastic photos of here on the Coast

The role of secondary characters...

I LOVE my secondary characters. Sometimes so much, I fear they're going to steal the show, so to speak. But they do have a role.

Remember the movie A Knight's tale?? Just when things look the bleakest for Will, a secondary character reveals himself and all is changed...


Now, at first, while I loved the revelation, I did worry about the whole Deus Ex Machina thing, but it turns out that this character only made it possible for Will to face down his foe, he didn't SOLVE the problem for him.

So, in the end, the writer(s) used this secondary character perfectly - building up mystery around him, having him step forward when necessary, but never allowing him to take over and steal the hero's thunder.

Do you use movies to help you with characterization and other story elements?


Teresa

Currently Reading: Mistress of the Sun by Sandra Gulland
Link of the Day: Sun Court Bibliography