Ask the Author: Tobias Wade
Answered Questions (1)
Tobias Wade
I break down the concept I am working on into the smallest possible component parts, and then rebuild from the ground up.
Example: I can't figure out why the mentor character would care about helping my worthless protagonist!
Solution: The concept of the mentor can be broken down into his parts: helpfulness, mastery of skill, moral stance, back story, enemies he has made, etc.
Then I break down the protagonist into his parts: drive, motivation, talent, end goal, danger, etc.
I find when the components are separated it is easier to see where interactions can occur, and it inspires me to devise a fitting scenario.
Aha! The mentor's enemies could line up with the danger the protagonist is in, and the mentor feels guilt for involving the fledgling hero and must protect him.
Example: I can't figure out why the mentor character would care about helping my worthless protagonist!
Solution: The concept of the mentor can be broken down into his parts: helpfulness, mastery of skill, moral stance, back story, enemies he has made, etc.
Then I break down the protagonist into his parts: drive, motivation, talent, end goal, danger, etc.
I find when the components are separated it is easier to see where interactions can occur, and it inspires me to devise a fitting scenario.
Aha! The mentor's enemies could line up with the danger the protagonist is in, and the mentor feels guilt for involving the fledgling hero and must protect him.
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Jan 09, 2018 10:43AM · flag