things i - creative writing blog - e.a. deverell
TRANSCRIPT
THINGS ILOVE INSTORIES
PLOT ELEMENTS I LOVE:
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SETTINGS I LOVE:
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NARRATIVE DEVICES I LOVE:
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CHARACTERISTICS I LOVEIN A HERO:
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CHARACTERISTICS I LOVEIN A HEROINE:
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CHARACTERISTICS I LOVEIN AN ANTAGONIST:
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WORDS I LOVE:
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CONFLICTS I LOVE:
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RELATIONSHIPS I LOVE:
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OTHER THINGS I LOVE:
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CONVERSATION I LOVE:
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MYSTERIES I LOVE:
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THINGS I LOVE TO DESCRIBE:
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OBJECTS I LOVE:
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STYLISTIC ELEMENTS I LOVE:
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SUBJECTS I LOVE:
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© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
IMAGERY I LOVE:
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CHARACTERQUIRKS
CHARACTER NAME: _________________________STORY: ____________________________________
Develop character from a character quirk.
WHAT PROBLEMS DOES THIS QUIRK CAUSE?
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IS THE CHARACTER HAPPY WITH THIS QUIRK OR DO THEY WANT TO CHANGE?
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WHEN & HOW DOES THIS QUIRK MANIFEST?
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© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
WHY DOES THE CHARACTER ENGAGEIN THIS QUIRK?
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HOW DID THE CHARACTER DEVELOP THIS QUIRK?
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HOW DOES THIS QUIRK SHAPE THE CHARACTERʼS DAILY LIFE?
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WHO IS ATTRACTED TO THIS QUIRK?
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WHOM DOES THIS QUIRK IRRITATE?
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WHAT CHARACTER TRAITS DOES THIS QUIRK IMPLY?
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CHARACTER QUIRKSI’VE ENCOUNTERED:
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
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CITYBUILDING
WHAT DEFINES THE SETTLEMENT AS A CITY?_______________________________________________________________________________WHO LIVES HERE AND WHAT ARE THEY CALLED?_______________________________________________________________________________WHY DO THEY LIVE HERE?_______________________________________________________________________________WHAT DO THE INHABITANTS DO?_______________________________________________________________________________WHAT ARE THE CITYʼS RESOURCES?_______________________________________________________________________________WHAT RESOURCES NEED TO BE IMPORTED?_______________________________________________________________________________WHAT IS THE MAIN SOURCE OF INCOME?_______________________________________________________________________________WHERE IS THE CITY?_______________________________________________________________________________WHO ARE ITS CLOSEST NEIGHBOURS?_______________________________________________________________________________WHY WAS THE CITY BUILT HERE?_______________________________________________________________________________HOW LARGE IS THE CITY?_______________________________________________________________________________WHAT DO THE DWELLINGS LOOK LIKE?_______________________________________________________________________________WHY DO THEY LOOK THE WAY THEY DO?_______________________________________________________________________________ARE THERE THREATS TO THE CITY?_______________________________________________________________________________IF YES, HOW HAS THE CITY ADAPTED?_______________________________________________________________________________
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
STORY: _________________________________________CITY NAME: _____________________________________COUNTRY / KINGDOM: ____________________________
WHAT IS THE PREVALENT ARCHITECTURAL STYLE?_______________________________________________________________________________WHO ARE THE CITY LEADERS?_______________________________________________________________________________WHO ARE THE OUTSIDERS?_______________________________________________________________________________WHERE DO THEY LIVE?_______________________________________________________________________________IS THERE CRIME?_______________________________________________________________________________IF YES, WHAT DO THE CRIMINALS WANT?_______________________________________________________________________________IS THERE A LARGE RICH-POOR GAP?_______________________________________________________________________________HOW ARE THE THOROUGHFARES ARRANGED?_______________________________________________________________________________WHERE DO THE INHABITANTS WORK?_______________________________________________________________________________WHAT ARE THE MODES OF TRAVEL?_______________________________________________________________________________HOW HAS TRANSPORTATION SHAPED THE CITY?_______________________________________________________________________________IS IT EASY TO LEAVE & RE-ENTER THE CITY?_______________________________________________________________________________ARE THERE MANY FOREIGNERS?_______________________________________________________________________________HOW ARE RELIGIONS AND RITES ACCOMMODATED?_______________________________________________________________________________WHAT ARE THE MAIN DISTRICTS?_______________________________________________________________________________WHAT OTHER FACTORS MIGHT HAVE AFFECTED THE CITYʼS DEVELOPMENT?_______________________________________________________________________________WHAT ARE ITS LANDMARKS?_______________________________________________________________________________
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
WHAT IS THE AIR LIKE?_______________________________________________________________________________DOES THE CITY CREATE ITS OWN MICROCLIMATE?_______________________________________________________________________________HOW IS THE CITY REGARDED BY ITS INHABITANTS?_______________________________________________________________________________HOW IS THE CITY REGARDED BY OUTSIDERS?_______________________________________________________________________________HOW OLD IS THE CITY?_______________________________________________________________________________HAVE PARTS BEEN REDEVELOPED?_______________________________________________________________________________HAS THE CITY BEEN PLANNED?_______________________________________________________________________________HOW ARE RESOURCES DISTRIBUTED?_______________________________________________________________________________HOW ARE DWELLINGS LAID OUT?_______________________________________________________________________________WHAT MATERIALS ARE USED IN CONSTRUCTION?_______________________________________________________________________________WHAT FLORA AND FAUNA LIVE IN THE CITY?_______________________________________________________________________________WHAT IS CHARACTERISTIC OF THE CITIZENS?_______________________________________________________________________________HOW DOES THE CITY REFLECT THE TASTES OF ITS INHABITANTS?_______________________________________________________________________________IS THE CITY FAMOUS FOR ANYTHING?_______________________________________________________________________________WHAT IS THE CITYʼS EMBLEM / MASCOT / COAT OF ARMS?_______________________________________________________________________________WHAT LANGUAGE IS SPOKEN?_______________________________________________________________________________DO THE CITIZENS HAVE A DISTINCT DIALECT / ACCENT?_______________________________________________________________________________
KILL YOURCHARACTER
WHY IS THE CHARACTERʼS DEATH IMPORTANT?
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LOCATIONS (ASSOCIATED WITH THE CHARACTER):
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OBJECTS (ASSOCIATEDWITH THE CHARACTER):
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THEMES (ASSOCIATEDWITH THE CHARACTER):
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WAYS TO DIE:
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EFFECTS OF DEATH ON OTHER CHARACTERS:
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EFFECTS OF DEATH ON THE STORY:
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© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
WHO IS THERE WITH THE CHARACTER?
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WHAT IS THE CHARACTERʼS REACTION TO IMMINENT DEATH?
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WHAT EMOTION IS EVOKED IN THE READER?
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WHEN DOES IT OCCUR? ______________________________________________________WHY THEN?_________________________________________________________________HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE?____________________________________________________
ESCAPING A TIGHT SPOT
ITEMS AVAILABLE:
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CONSTITUENTS OF ITEMS:
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ITEMS YOUR CHARACTERNEEDS TO ESCAPE:
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ESCAPE ROUTES:
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HOW ARE THEY BLOCKED?
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ACTIONS YOUR CHARACTERCAN TAKE:
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IDEAL OUTCOME: _________________________________________
SACRIFICES/COMPROMISES YOUR CHARACTER CAN MAKE:
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REASON YOUʼRE IN A TIGHT SPOT: __________________________
If youʼve written your character into a corner, this is the worksheet for you!
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
YOUR CHARACTERʼSTALENTS/POWERS:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Also works in real life situations!
Can rescue come from outside?
Are the escape routes really blocked?
Does your character have a hidden talent?
Breaking something apart can help.
The sacrifice can be:An objectA way of thinkingA false beliefA sense of security...A goalA person...
Still stuck? Maybe you need to backtrack...
If your character is stuck mentally, have them use their body, and vice versa.
Can any items or item parts substitute for what your character needs?
LOVE
YO
UR
ANTA
GO
NIS
T
WHO
ELS
E LO
VES
/ LO
VED
YOUR
ANT
AGO
NIST
?
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WHY
DO
/ DI
D TH
EY L
OVE
YO
UR
ANTA
GO
NIST
?
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MY
ANTA
GO
NIST
IS G
OO
D AT
:
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MY
ANTA
GO
NIST
IS B
AD A
T:
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OTH
ERS
JUDG
E HI
M /
HER
TOO
HAR
SHLY
BEC
AUSE
:
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BUT
HE /
SHE
ACTS
LIK
E TH
IS B
ECAU
SE:
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HE /
SHE
COUL
D CH
ANG
E IF
:
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I CAN
SYM
PATH
ISE
WIT
H M
Y AN
TAG
ONI
ST B
ECAU
SE:
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HE /
SHE
CANʼ
T CH
ANG
E BE
CAUS
E:
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© E
.A. D
EV
ER
ELL -
htt
p:/
/ead
eve
rell.
com
MY
ANTA
GO
NIST
WAN
TS:
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WHY
HE
/ SHE
WAN
TS W
HAT
THEY
WAN
T:
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HE /
SHE
WIL
L SA
CRIF
ICE
THES
E TO
GET
WHA
T TH
EY W
ANT:
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Trea
t you
r ant
agon
ist a
s a
real
per
son.
The
ir so
le
reas
on fo
r exi
stin
g sh
ould
not
be
to a
ct a
s a
foil
to y
our p
rota
goni
st.
Use
a re
al-li
fe a
ntag
onis
t fo
r ins
pira
tion,
and
giv
e th
em s
ome
love
too.
Hav
e yo
u im
bued
you
r an
tago
nist
with
som
e of
yo
ur o
wn
good
& b
ad
char
acte
ristic
s?
It is
the
fram
ewor
k of
yo
ur s
tory
that
set
s th
e an
tago
nist
in o
ppos
ition
.W
hat h
appe
ns w
hen
the
anta
goni
st b
ecom
es th
e pr
otag
onis
t?
PLOT HOLEGAPPING
DESCRIBE THE PLOT HOLE: ________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHARACTERS WHO ARE AFFECTED:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SCENES THAT ARE AFFECTED:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Add a new scene:
▢ _________________________________▢ _________________________________▢ _________________________________▢ _________________________________▢ _________________________________
BRAINSTORM SOME SOLUTIONS, THEN TICK YOUR FAVOURITES:
Have a character explain away the problem:
▢ _________________________________▢ _________________________________▢ _________________________________▢ _________________________________▢ _________________________________
Add something to a previous scene:
▢ _________________________________▢ _________________________________▢ _________________________________▢ _________________________________▢ _________________________________
Turn the plot hole into a plot twist:
▢ _________________________________▢ _________________________________▢ _________________________________▢ _________________________________▢ _________________________________
ERROR IN… TIMING / CHARACTER CONTINUITY / LOGIC / OTHER: _________________
CHANGES TO CHARACTERS:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHANGES TO THE TIMELINE:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHANGES TO SCENES:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
KEEPWRITING!
LICENCETO WRITE
THINGS FAMOUS AUTHORS HAVE SAID / DONE THATYOU FIND SILLY / TASTELESS / MORALLY DUBIOUS:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A CHARACTER IN A FAMOUS NOVEL WHOʼS FLAT & BORING:
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© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
SOMETHING REALLY SILLY THAT HAPPENS IN A FAMOUS NOVEL:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
AN AWFUL MISUSE OF LANGUAGE BY A FAMOUS AUTHOR:
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A PLOT POINT IN A FAMOUS NOVEL THAT STRETCHES BELIEF:
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A FAMOUS NOVEL WITH AN UNSATISFACTORY BEGINNING / OPENING:
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A FAMOUS NOVEL WITH AN UNSATISFACTORY ENDING:
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A SPURIOUS PLOT TWIST IN A FAMOUS NOVEL:
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I, _______________________, hereby give myself permission to produce imperfect writing, and promise not to be too harsh on myself for making mistakes.
Signed,
_______________________
PLOTTWIST
HOW DOES IT CHANGE CHARACTERS:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES IT CHANGE THE STORY:
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© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
SOMEONE'S IDENTITY IS MISTAKEN:
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SOMEONE HAS ANOTHER MOTIVATION:
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INFORMATION IS MISSING:
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AN EVENT IS MISINTERPRETED:
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HOW DOES THE TWIST SURPRISE THE READER?
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HOW DOES THE TWIST SURPRISE THE CHARACTERS?
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BRAINSTORM…
GO THROUGH EACH OF YOUR PLOT POINTS:
I assume __________ (who?) does __________ (what?), at __________ (where?), by __________ (how?), with __________ (whom?), because __________ (why?)…
… but what if one of those is not what it seems?it's the opposite?someone's lying?some vital information is being withheld?
I ASSUME…(WHO?)______________________________(WHAT?)_____________________________(WHERE? )___________________________(HOW?)______________________________(WHOM?) ____________________________(WHY?)______________________________
BUT WHAT IF…__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
PLOTTWIST
I ASSUME…(WHO?)______________________________(WHAT?)_____________________________(WHERE? )___________________________(HOW?)______________________________(WHOM?) ____________________________(WHY?)______________________________
BUT WHAT IF…__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
I ASSUME…(WHO?)______________________________(WHAT?)_____________________________(WHERE? )___________________________(HOW?)______________________________(WHOM?) ____________________________(WHY?)______________________________
BUT WHAT IF…___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IF ALL ELSE FAILS:
Resurrect a character.Bring in help from an unexpected source.Give ulterior motive to a minor character.
MOTIVATION:PERSON
HOW DID THIS PERSON INFLUENCE THE CHARACTER?
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© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
WHAT DOES THE CHARACTER NEED TO BE MOTIVATED TO DO?
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WHAT CHARACTER TRAITS/KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS DOES THIS ACTION REQUIRE?
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WHO MIGHT LACK THESE TRAITS/KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/VALUES/BELIEFS?
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WHAT VALUES / BELIEFS DOES THIS ACTION REQUIRE?
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WHY DID THIS PERSON INFLUENCE THE CHARACTER IN THE WAY THEY DID?
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HOW / WHERE MIGHT THEY HAVE MET?
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WHO MIGHT HAVE THESE TRAITS/KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/VALUES/BELIEFS?
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CHARACTER: ___________________________
STORY: ________________________________
MOTIVATION:EVENT
WHY DID THE CHARACTER INTERPRET THIS EVENT THE WAY THEY DID?
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© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
WHAT DOES THE CHARACTER NEED TO BE MOTIVATED TO DO?
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WHAT CHARACTER TRAITS /KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS DOES THIS ACTION REQUIRE?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DID THE CHARACTER COME TO BE INVOLVED IN THIS EVENT?
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WHAT VALUES / BELIEFS DOES THIS ACTION REQUIRE?
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IS THE CHARACTER CONSCIOUSLY AWARE OF THIS MOTIVATION?
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WHY WAS THIS EVENT SO IMPORTANT/MEMORABLE TO THE CHARACTER?
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WHAT EVENT WOULD BRING OUT THESE TRAITS / KNOWLEDGE/ SKILLS / VALUES / BELIEFS?_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHARACTER: ___________________________
STORY: ________________________________
MOTIVATION: ENVIRONMENT
WHY DID THIS ENVIRONMENT HAVE AN IMPACT ON THE CHARACTER?
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IS THE CHARACTER CONSCIOUSLY AWARE OF THIS MOTIVATION?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
WHAT DOES THE CHARACTER NEED TO BE MOTIVATED TO DO?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT CHARACTER TRAITS /KNOWLEDGE / SKILLS DOES THIS ACTION REQUIRE?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT SORT OF ENVIRONMENT MIGHT CREATE THESE TRAITS / KNOWLEDGE/ SKILLS / VALUES /BELIEFS?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT VALUES / BELIEFS DOES THIS ACTION REQUIRE?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT SORT OF ENVIRONMENT MIGHT SUPPRESS THESE TRAITS / KNOWLEDGE/ SKILLS / VALUES /BELIEFS?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHY WAS THE CHARACTER IN THIS ENVIRONMENT?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHARACTER: _______________________
STORY: ____________________________
MOTIVATION:BELIEFS
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
CHARACTER: ___________________________
STORY: ________________________________
WHAT DOES THE CHARACTER NEED TO BE MOTIVATED TO DO?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT BELIEFS DOES THIS ACTION REQUIRE?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT EMPOWERING BELIEFS DOES THIS ACTION REQUIRE?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES THE CHARACTER JUSTIFY THESE BELIEFS TO THEMSELVES & TO OTHERS?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT DISEMPOWERING BELIEFS DOES THIS ACTION REQUIRE?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES THE CHARACTER JUSTIFY THESE BELIEFS TO THEMSELVES & TO OTHERS?__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MOVING-TOWARD VALUES
LoveSuccessFreedomIntimacySecurityAdventurePowerPassionComfortHealth
MOVING-AWAY-FROM VALUES
RejectionAngerFrustrationLonelinessDepressionFailureHumiliationGuilt
RANK THE CHARACTER'S VALUES:
1. _________________________________2. _________________________________3. _________________________________4. _________________________________5. _________________________________
(Value lists excepted from Awaken the Giant Within by Anthony Robbins)
VALUES
TICKINGCLOCK
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
WHAT DOES THE CHARACTER NEED TO ACHIEVE?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PROOF OF SUCCESS:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT DOES THE CHARACTER NEED TO DO TO STOP THE CLOCK?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT ARE THE OBSTACLES?WHAT GOES WRONG?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A DEADLINE TO SUIT YOUR TIMEFRAME:
__ years__ months__ days
__ hours__ minutes__ seconds
HOW LONG WILL EACH OBSTACLE TAKE TO OVERCOME?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT IS AN UNREASONABLY SHORT TIMEFRAME IN WHICH TO ACHIEVE IT?
______________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES THE SUSPENSE ESCALATE AS THE DEADLINE DRAWS NEAR?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DOES THE DEADLINE TRIGGER ANOTHER TICKING CLOCK?
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HOW DOES FEAR OF THE DEADLINE AFFECT THE CHARACTER?
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MAKE TROUBLECHARACTER'S STRENGTHS:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHARACTER'S WEAKNESSES:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HARROWING EVENTS YOU'VE EXPERIENCED:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DIFFICULTIES YOU'VE OVERCOME:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
The problem will be caused / compounded by the character's weaknesses but eventually overcome by their strengths.
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
WHAT SHOULD THE PROBLEMS REVEAL ABOUT THE CHARACTER?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT CHRONIC PROBLEMS DOES THE CHARACTER ALREADY FACE?
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WHAT ARE SOME ISSUES THE CHARACTER IS AVOIDING?
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HOW CAN THESE EXISTING PROBLEMS CAUSE / COMPOUND OTHER PROBLEMS?
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HOW MIGHT THESE BECOME UNAVOIDABLE?
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WHAT IS YOUR MAIN PURPOSE IN PUTTING YOUR CHARACTER IN TROUBLE? ______________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW SHOULD OVERCOMING THEPROBLEMS CHANGE THE CHARACTER?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MAKE TROUBLE
Health_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Environment_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Work_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Technology_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Family_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
Politics_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Wellbeing_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Social_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Resources_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Entertainment_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BRAINSTORM PROBLEMS THE CHARACTER MIGHT FACE IN THE FOLLOWING AREAS:
PICK 3-4 PROBLEMS FOR THE CHARACTER TO STRUGGLE WITH SIMULTANEOUSLY:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SOLVING AMYSTERYMYSTERY:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CLUE #1 CLUE #2 CLUE #3
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
STORY: ____________________________________________
CHARACTERS INVOLVED IN CREATING THE MYSTERY:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHARACTERS INVOLVED IN DISCOVERING THE MYSTERY:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
HOW IS IT DISCOVERED?ACCIDENTALLY OR ON PURPOSE?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW IS IT DISCOVERED?ACCIDENTALLY OR ON PURPOSE?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW IS IT DISCOVERED?ACCIDENTALLY OR ON PURPOSE?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BY WHOM?
__________________________________________________
BY WHOM?
__________________________________________________
BY WHOM?
__________________________________________________
WHERE?
__________________________________________________
WHERE?
__________________________________________________
WHERE?
__________________________________________________
HOW DOES THE FINAL CLUE LEAD TO THE MYSTERY BEING UNCOVERED?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES THE CLUE DEEPEN THE MYSTERY?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES THE CLUE INTRODUCE THE MYSTERY?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HIDE IT IN UNIMPORTANT INFORMATION:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HAVE IT MISINTERPRETED:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LEAVE IT UNDISCOVEREDUNTIL:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DISGUISE THE CLUE...
HIDE IT IN UNIMPORTANT INFORMATION:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HAVE IT MISINTERPRETED:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LEAVE IT UNDISCOVEREDUNTIL:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HIDE IT IN UNIMPORTANT INFORMATION:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HAVE IT MISINTERPRETED:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LEAVE IT UNDISCOVEREDUNTIL:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
RED HERRING__________________________________________________________________________
HOW IS IT DISCOVERED?ACCIDENTALLY OR ON PURPOSE?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
BY WHOM?
__________________________________________________WHERE?
__________________________________________________
HOW DOES IT CAUSE THE CHARACTERS TO REINTERPRET THE OTHER CLUES?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________HOW DOES IT CAUSE THE CHARACTERS TO REINTERPRET THE MYSTERY?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW IS IT FOUND OUT TO BE A FALSE CLUE?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
OPENINGSCENE MAIN CHARACTER: ____________________________________
STORY: ______________________________________________
MAIN CHARACTER'S BEST TRAITS:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT CAN THE CHARACTER DO TO QUICKLY CAPTURE THE READER'S ATTENTION / SYMPATHY?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WAYS TO DEMONSTRATE THESE TRAITS:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IN WHAT WAYS WILL THE CHARACTER DEVELOP THROUGH THE STORY?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WAYS TO DEMONSTRATE THE CHARACTER'S INITIAL STATE:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT MYSTERY IS POSED / SOLVED?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT IS THE MOOD / ATMOSPHERE?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A SETTING THAT SUPPORTS THE CHARACTER AND ACTS AS A GATEWAYINTO THE STORY:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT HAPPENS JUST BEFORE THE SCENE BEGINS?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT WILL BE THE OUTCOME OF THIS SCENE?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MINIQUEST
WHAT ARE SOME OBSTACLES THEY FACE ALONG THE WAY?
____________________________________________________________
ITEMS THE CHARACTER MAY NEED:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
INFORMATION THE CHARACTER MAY NEED:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SKILLS / BELIEFS THE CHARACTER MAY NEED:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHERE / FROM WHOM CAN THEY ACQUIRE THESE?
WHAT ARE THE CHARACTER'S MAIN GOALS?
__________________________________________________
WHO ARE THE GATEKEEPERS?
__________________________________________________
HOW CAN YOU USE THIS MINI-QUEST TO REVEAL SOMETHING ABOUT THE CHARACTER?
WHO CAN HELP THE CHARACTER?
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO ACQUIRE THESE?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
__________________________________________________
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_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
HOW DO THEY TRY TO STOP THE CHARACTER?
________________________________________________________________________________________________
TRY
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© E
.A. D
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WHA
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WHA
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THE
CHA
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WHA
T IS
THE
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TO
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?
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WHA
T AR
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BSTA
CLES
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WAY
?
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IS T
HERE
A T
EMPO
RARY
SU
CCES
S?
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WHA
T G
OES
WRO
NG?
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WHA
T AB
OUT
THE
CHA
RACT
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CAUS
ES T
HEM
TO
FAI
L?
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HOW
DO
THE
Y LE
ARN
TO
OVE
RCO
ME
THIS
FLA
W?
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HOW
DO
THE
Y RE
ACT
TOTH
E FA
ILUR
E?
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HOW
DO
ES T
HIS
FAIL
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INCR
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THE
STA
KES?
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WHAT NEXT?
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
THWART THE READER'S EXPECTATIONS?_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
FURTHER DEVELOP ONE OF THE MAIN THEMES?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
GIVE NEW MEANING OR IMPORTANCE TO A PAST SCENE?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
FURTHER CEMENT A RELATIONSHIP?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
FURTHER DISPLAY THE ABILITIES OF A CHARACTER?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PLACE A CHARACTER IN MORE TROUBLE?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT WOULD BE A COOL WAY TO…
RETURN TO A PREVIOUS SETTING?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DEEPEN A MYSTERY?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ALLUDE TO SOMETHING YOU LOVE?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
REINTRODUCE A MINOR CHARACTER?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CREATINGMOOD
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
SMELLS THAT EVOKE THESE EMOTIONS:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SIGHTS THAT EVOKE THESE EMOTIONS:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SOUNDS THAT EVOKE THESE EMOTIONS:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT EMOTIONS ARE YOU TRYING TO EVOKEIN THE READER?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT CONTRASTS HELP CREATE THE MOOD?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TEXTURES THAT EVOKE THESE EMOTIONS:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TASTES THAT EVOKE THESE EMOTIONS:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT REMAINS HIDDEN IN THE SETTING?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LIST SOME OBJECTS FOUND IN YOUR SETTING:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES THE MOOD TRANSFORM THESE OBJECTS?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT ARE THE NARRATOR'S EMOTIONS?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO THEY TRANSFORM THE SETTING?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO THEY TRANSFORM THE MOOD?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TECHNOLOGY
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
HOW DOES TECHNOLOGY AFFECT THE EVERYDAY?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DOES THE WORLD / CHARACTER EMBRACE NEW TECHNOLOGY? WHY OR WHY NOT?_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES TECHNOLOGY DIVIDE PEOPLE?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES TECHNOLOGY BRING PEOPLE TOGETHER?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT PREVIOUS TECHNOLOGIES HAVE BECOME OBSOLETE?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW QUICKLY DO NEW TECHNOLOGIES DEVELOP?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW HAS TECHNOLOGY DEVELOPED IN A WAY THAT IS ILLOGICAL OR INEFFICIENT IN HINDSIGHT?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT TECHNOLOGICAL DISCOVERY HAS SHAPED THE WORLD?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT IS THE DRIVING FORCE BEHIND NEW DEVELOPMENTS?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MAGIC OR SCIENCE?
WHAT IS THE EARLIEST RECORDED TECHNOLOGY?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHO USES NEW TECHNOLOGIES?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHO HOLDS ONTO OLD TECHNOLOGIES?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHO INVENTS NEW TECHNOLOGIES?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
METAPHORS& SIMILES
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
LIST SOME WORDS THAT RELATE TO THIS IMPLICATION:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO (RE)DESCRIBE?
______________________________________________________________________________________
LIST SOME THEMES USED IN THE REST OF YOUR PIECE:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT ARE YOU TRYING TO IMPLY ABOUT IT? IS IT POSITIVE, NEGATIVE OR NEUTRAL?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LIST SOME IDEAS YOUR AUDIENCE IS ATTUNED TO:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHOOSE RANDOM ITEMS FROM THE LISTS AND FILL IN THE SENTENCES BELOW…
___________ is like ___________ because ___________________________________________.___________ is like ___________ because ___________________________________________.___________ is like ___________ because ___________________________________________.___________ is like ___________ because ___________________________________________.___________ is like ___________ because ___________________________________________.___________ is like ___________ because ___________________________________________.___________ is like ___________ because ___________________________________________.___________ is like ___________ because ___________________________________________.
ONCE YOU'VE FOUND A METAPHOR OR SIMILE THAT WORKS, THINK OF WAYS YOU CAN MAKE IT MORE SPECIFIC…
BRING IN A THIRD CONCEPT TO ADD MORE MEANING TO THE COMPARISON:
______________________________________________________________________________
QUALIFY THE ORIGINAL IDEA:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
QUALIFY THE THING BEING COMPARED TO:
________________________________________________________________________________________________
TITLING
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
LIST SOME WORDS THAT ARE EVOCATIVE OF YOUR GENRE:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LIST SOME OF THE CENTRAL THEMES AND IDEAS OF YOUR PIECE:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IMPORTANT CHARACTERS:________________________________________________________________________________________________
LIST SOME WORDS THAT MIGHT APPEAL TO YOUR TARGET AUDIENCE:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IMPORTANT PLACES:________________________________________________________________________________________________
IMPORTANT EVENTS:________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________
DO THESE HAVE ANY OTHER NAMES, MEANINGS OR CONNOTATIONS?
DO THESE HAVE ANY OTHER NAMES, MEANINGS OR CONNOTATIONS?
TITLING
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
ALLUSIONS RELATED TO YOUR PIECE:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
QUOTATIONS RELATED TO YOUR PIECE:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
COMBINE SOME OF THESE WORDS TO FORM POSSIBLE TITLES…
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
OTHER WORDS YOU LIKE:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PARTNERS IN LOVE
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
HOW DO THEY SOLVE PROBLEMS TOGETHER THAT THEY COULDN'T SOLVE ALONE?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW IS IT MORE DIFFICULT FOR THEM TO WORK TOGETHER?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
STRENGTHS OF A:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW IS IT EASIER FOR THEM TO WORK TOGETHER?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WEAKNESSES OF B:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO THEY COMPENSATE FOR EACH OTHER?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHARACTER A: ____________________CHARACTER B: ____________________
WEAKNESSES OF A:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
STRENGTHS OF B:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO THEY COMPENSATE FOR EACH OTHER?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
RECONNECT WITH YOUR STORY
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
WHAT ARE YOU DREADING WRITING?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHY?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LIST 3 WAYS YOU CAN OVERCOME YOUR DREAD:
1. _____________________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________________
HOW DO YOU FEEL WHEN YOU SIT DOWN TO WRITE?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHY?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LIST 3 WAYS YOU CAN FEEL BETTER ABOUT WRITING:
1. _____________________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________________
WHAT PROBLEMS DO YOU HAVE WITH YOURSELF?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT PROBLEMS DO YOU HAVE WITH YOUR STORY?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LIST 3 REASONS WHY THE PROBLEMS AREN'T VALID:
1. _____________________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________________
WHY ARE YOU FINDING IT DIFFICULT TO START?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHY DO YOU REALLY WANT TO FINISH THIS STORY?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LIST 3 SCENES YOU WANT TO WRITE RIGHT NOW:
1. _____________________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________________
WHAT FIRST ATTRACTED YOU TO THIS STORY?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
RECONNECT WITH YOUR STORY
WHAT WAS THE LAST SENTENCE YOU WROTE?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE SCENE?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT'S THE BEST LINE OF DIALOGUE YOU WROTE?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHO'S YOUR FAVOURITE CHARACTER?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE IMAGERY?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
WHY DID YOU DECIDE TO RELATE EVENTS IN THIS ORDER?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR CHARACTER NAMES?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DID YOU CHOOSE YOUR TITLE?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3 WRITING TECHNIQUES YOU WANT TO TRY:
1. _____________________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________________
3 DARING NEW IDEAS YOU WANT TO INCLUDE:
1. _____________________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________________
3 THINGS YOU NEED TO RESEARCH FURTHER:
1. _____________________________________________________________________
2. _____________________________________________________________________
3. _____________________________________________________________________
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
WHAT WERE SOME TURNING POINTS IN YOUR LIFE?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT DID YOU LEARN FROM THESE EXPERIENCES?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT DICHOTOMIES DO YOU FIND YOURSELF FREQUENTLY CAUGHT BETWEEN?
_____________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ __________________________________________ _____________________
WHAT DO YOU LOVE READING ABOUT?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT DO YOU LOVE TALKING ABOUT?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT MISTAKES DO YOU FEEL YOU'VE MADE REPEATEDLY?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YOUR LIFE THEMES
YOUR LIFE THEMES
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
WHAT DO YOU SPEND A LOT OF TIME THINKING ABOUT?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF YOUR GREATEST SUFFERING?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT IS THE SOURCE OF YOUR GREATEST JOY/CONSOLATION?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YOUR RELATIONSHIPS?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YOUR ENVIRONMENT?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
YOUR WORK?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT PROBLEMS DO YOU FACE REPEATEDLY IN...
CAN YOU PUT THESE IDEAS INTO A FEW GENERAL CATEGORIES?WHAT IS THEIR "COMMON DENOMINATOR"?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CREATING SUSPENSE
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
WHAT IS THE ACTUAL OUTCOME?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT IS THE WORST POSSIBLE OUTCOME?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHY IS THE CHARACTER WORRIED?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SIGHT
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SOUND
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TOUCH
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TASTE
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SMELL
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
EMOTION
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT IS THE CHARACTER SENSING THAT INCREASES THEIR ANXIETY?
HOW CAN YOU MAKE THE AUDIENCE EXPECT THE WORST?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW CAN YOU MAKE THE OUTCOME MORE UNCERTAIN?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW CAN YOU SHOW THE CONSEQUENCES OF FAILURE?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CREATING SUSPENSE
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
WHAT INFORMATION IS THE READER MISSING?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW CAN YOU DIVIDE IT UP & REVEAL IT BIT BY BIT?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT NEW CLUES ARE FOUND THAT DEEPEN THE MYSTERY?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW CAN YOU INCREASE THE HOPE FOR SUCCESS?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHY IS THE READER ROOTING FOR THE CHARACTER?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW ELSE CAN YOU (PLEASURABLY) DELAY THE READER?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHY IS THE GOAL IMPORTANT?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW CAN YOU MAKE IT EVEN MORE IMPORTANT?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW CAN THE SITUATION BECOME EVEN WORSE?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW CAN YOU USE SCENE & CHAPTER BREAKS TO INCREASE SUSPENSE?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW CAN YOU USE DIALOGUE TO INCREASE SUSPENSE?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW CAN YOU USE DESCRIPTION TO INCREASE SUSPENSE?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MAGIC
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
WHAT ARE PEOPLE CALLED WHO PRACTICE IT?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS EVERYONE BORN WITH IT?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
THROUGH RITUAL OR TRAINING?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS IT CONSIDERED "NORMAL"?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS EVERYONE BORN WITH AN EQUAL SHARE OF IT?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO ACQUIRE?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS THERE A MAGICAL ELITE?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DOES IT MANIFEST FROM BIRTH?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHY DO PEOPLE WISH TO ACQUIRE IT?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
INBORN ACQUIRED
AGE?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
RACE?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
OR GENDER?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DOES IT CHANGE IN ANY WAY DEPENDING ON…
(people)
MAGIC
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
HOW IS IT SUMMONED?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DOES IT REQUIRE ADDITIONAL RESOURCES?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ARE THERE LIMITS TO ITS USE?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHY IS IT NECESSARY TO THE WORLD?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT IS ITS SOURCE?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT ARE THE CONSEQUENCES OF USING IT?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS THERE A LIMITED AMOUNT OF IT IN THE WORLD?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ARE THERE DANGERS TO USING IT?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DOES IT CHANGE ACCORDING TO LOCATION?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT IS IT CALLED?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT DOES IT MAKE EASIER?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT DOES IT MAKE MORE DIFFICULT?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(mechanics)
MAGIC
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
HAS IT ALWAYS BEEN IN THE WORLD?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT EVENTS LED TO ITS DISCOVERY?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT LORE HAS GROWN UP AROUND ITS USE?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHY IS IT CONSIDERED MAGICAL?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS IT "GOOD" OR "EVIL" OR BOTH?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ARE THERE INSTITUTIONS THAT REGULATE ITS USE?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT OBJECTS OR SYMBOLS ARE ASSOCIATED WITH IT?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DOES IT HAVE A SPIRITUAL ASPECT?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES IT SHIFT THE BALANCE OF POWER?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES IT INFLUENCE POLITICS?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES IT INFLUENCE HUMAN RELATIONSHIPS?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES IT INFLUENCE THE ENVIRONMENT?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
(world)
WHO KNOWS WHAT WHEN CHAPTER: _____________________________
STORY: _______________________________
TIME CHARACTER WHATTHEY LEARN
HOW THEYLEARN IT
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
POLITICS
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
How do aspects of the story world define the political system?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What are some of the historic events that have defined the development of the system?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What are the main parties/factions?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What divides them?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How is power distributed?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Who decides who is in power?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Is there a monarch? If yes, how much power do they have?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are there checks in place to ensure that power isn't abused?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are there different "houses" within the governing body? If so, what are the tensions between them?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What specifically is the purpose of the political system?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
STORY: _______________________________________________
INVENTING A POLITICAL SYSTEM The two main sources of conflict in politics:
- Gaining power- Keeping power
POLITICS
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
How do debates take place?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How are differences of opinion resolved?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Where do the politicians meet & how often?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Is the political system part of a larger alliance? If so, what affect does it have?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Can more than one party/faction rule at once?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What privileges do politicians enjoy?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What are the disadvantages of being a politician?____________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How often are the leaders changed?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How are politicians regarded by civilians?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are politicians chosen on personal merit or by some other criteria?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are politicians representative of the people?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Are politicians in touch with the people?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How do politicians advance their careers?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
STORY: _______________________________________________
POLITICS
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INVENTING PARTIES / FACTIONS
PARTY: _______________________________
What do they stand for?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Who do they appeal to?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Who do they actually represent?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Who are their leaders?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What do they want to change?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How are they funded?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What are some landmarks in their history?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How do they spread their message?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What defines their domestic policy?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What defines their foreign policy?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Where do they fall on the following scales:
STORY: _______________________________________________
Natural Artificial
Individual
State
POLITICS
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What resources (or lack of) affect the balance of power?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How are resources transferred? Who has power over these trade routes?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Which community is the most powerful? Why?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How do they keep in power?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Who is interested in usurping their power?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How can communities become more powerful?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
What are the main political axes or allegiances?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How does economy affect politics?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Where, when, how, and among whom do political meetings take place?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How are conflicts resolved?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How has history shaped the current political processes?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
How is political news disseminated?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
STORY: _______________________________________________
WORLD POLITICS
RITES &RITUALS
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WHERE DOES IT TAKE PLACE?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT HAPPENS IF IT SUCCEEDS?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT HAPPENS IF IT FAILS?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS THE RITE OR RITUAL MANDATORY?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHO OFFICIATES?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHO UNDERGOES THE TRANSFORMATION?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT IS THE NATURE OF THIS RITE OR RITUAL?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS IT PUBLIC OR PRIVATE?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
DOES IT CHANGE THE INDIVIDUAL'S STATUS IN SOCIETY?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW LONG DOES THE IT LAST?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT TRANSITION DOES THIS RITE OR RITUAL MARK?
________________________________________________________________________________________________
DOES IT INVOLVE A SACRIFICE?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS IT DANGEROUS?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS THERE A FORMAL CEREMONY?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS THERE A PRIZE?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS IT POSSIBLE TO DISTINGUISH THOSE WHO HAVE PASSED?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
STORY: __________________________________________________
NAME OF RITE / RITUAL: ___________________________________
IS IT DIFFICULT OR PAINFUL?
__________________________________________________________
WORLD HISTORY
MAJOR MOVEMENTS:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MAJOR DISASTERS:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MAJOR EVENTS:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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MAJOR ERAS:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MAJOR CULTURES:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MAJOR WARS/CONFLICTS:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MAJOR ALLIANCES:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MAJOR POLARISATIONS:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MAJOR LEADERS:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
STORY: ____________________
MAJOR REGRESSIONS:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DISCERNIBLE PATTERNS:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MAJOR ADVANCES:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PEOPLE & HISTORY STORY: ____________________
IS HISTORICAL KNOWLEDGE AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW SERIOUSLY DO CULTURES TAKE THE STUDY OF HISTORY?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW BIASED ARE DIFFERENT CULTURES' HISTORICAL ACCOUNTS?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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HOW IS HISTORY RECORDED?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW FAR BACK DO RECORDS DATE?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS ANY HISTORY LOST & FORGOTTEN?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ARE THERE "NATURAL" HISTORICAL RECORDS?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT IS CONSIDERED THE PURPOSE OF RECORDING OR STUDYING HISTORY?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT ARE SOME POINTS OF CONTENTION?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
GEOGRAPHY
MAJOR RESOURCES:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MAJOR BOUNDARIES:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MAJOR LANDSCAPES:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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MAJOR GEOGRAPHICAL FEATURES:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MAJOR GEOGRAPHICAL EVENTS :
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MAJOR CLIMATE / FLORA ZONES:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT LIES OUTSIDE THE BOUNDARIES OF THE WORLD?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ARE THERE UNEXPLAINEDGEOGRAPHICAL PHENOMENA?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES THE GEOGRAPHY CHANGE OVER TIME?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
STORY: _________________________________
HOW DOES GEOGRAPHY AFFECT TRANSPORT?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ARE THERE CYCLES OF CHANGE?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MAJOR ROUTES:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
GEOGRAPHY
HOW WELL DO PEOPLE KNOW THE GEOGRAPHY OF THEIR WORLD?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT ARE SOME MISCONCEPTIONS ABOUTTHEIR LANDSCAPES?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO PEOPLE STUDY AND RECORD THEIR WORLD'S GEOGRAPHY?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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HOW DO PEOPLE INTERACT WITH THE LANDSCAPE?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO THEIR ACTIVITIES ALTER THE LANDSCAPE?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW WELL ARE PEOPLE ADAPTED TO THE LANDSCAPE?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES THE LANDSCAPE CHANGE PEOPLE?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ARE THERE UNREACHABLE OR UNEXPLORED PLACES?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DOES THE LANDSCAPE PROVIDE ENOUGH RESOURCES?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
STORY: _________________________________
HOW DOES GEOGRAPHY INFORM SCIENCE?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES GEOGRAPHY INFORM ART?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO PEOPLE FEEL ABOUT THE LANDSCAPE?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
GEOGRAPHY
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SETTLEMENT RESOURCES FEATURES BORDERS
GEOGRAPHICALFEATURE
HOW WAS IT FORMED?
WHEN WAS IT FORMED?
HOW DO PEOPLE USE IT?
STORY: _________________________________
GEOGRAPHY
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
STORY: _________________________________
DRAW A MAP OF YOUR WORLD OR OF A SETTLEMENT:
DOODLE A LANDSCAPE:
BRAINSTORM 20 WAYS TO TELL THIS SCENE:
1. ______________________________________________2. ______________________________________________3. ______________________________________________4. ______________________________________________5. ______________________________________________6. ______________________________________________7. ______________________________________________8. ______________________________________________9. ______________________________________________10.______________________________________________11.______________________________________________12.______________________________________________13.______________________________________________14.______________________________________________15.______________________________________________16.______________________________________________17.______________________________________________18.______________________________________________19.______________________________________________20.______________________________________________
SCENE WRITING
CHARACTERS' EXTERNAL STATE(S) AT START:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHARACTERS' EXTERNAL STATE(S) AT END:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT NEEDS TO TAKE PLACE?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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INTERESTING SETTINGS:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
STORY: ____________________________
CHARACTERS' INTERNAL STATE(S) AT START:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHARACTERS' INTERNAL STATE(S) AT END:________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
INTERESTING PEOPLE:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
INTERESTING OBJECTS:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
GENRE CONSIDERATIONS:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
REVELATIONS:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CLIMAX:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
CLUES:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DIALOGUE:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SUBTEXT:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LIST A FEW THINGS FROM PREVIOUS SCENES:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CAN YOU EXPAND ON THEIR MEANING OR IMPORTANCE?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES THIS SCENE BUILD ON THE PREVIOUS ONE?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LIST A FEW THINGS YOU'LL NEED IN UPCOMING SCENES:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CAN YOU INTRODUCE ANY OF THEM IN THIS SCENE?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES THIS SCENE SET THE STORY UP FOR THE NEXT ONE?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SCENE WRITING STORY: ____________________________
GOOD DIALOGUE
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STORY: _________________________
CHARACTER:_______________
CHARACTER:_______________
CHARACTER:_______________
WHAT DO THEY NEED TO COMMUNICATE?
� _____________� _____________� _____________� _____________� _____________
� _____________� _____________� _____________� _____________� _____________
� _____________� _____________� _____________� _____________� _____________
WHAT DO THEY NEED TO KEEP SECRET?
� _____________� _____________� _____________� _____________� _____________
� _____________� _____________� _____________� _____________� _____________
� _____________� _____________� _____________� _____________� _____________
HOW DO THEY NEED TO COMMUNICATE IT?
� _____________� _____________� _____________� _____________� _____________
� _____________� _____________� _____________� _____________� _____________
� _____________� _____________� _____________� _____________� _____________
ARGUMENTS
TONE
EMOTIONS
BODY LANGUAGE
SPEECH TAGS
NOTES
SCENE: _______________________________ POV: ___________________________
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GO THROUGH YOUR DIALOGUE LINE BY LINE AND CHECK THAT…
� It's always clear who's speaking.� The conversation develops the story.� The conversation develops the characters.� The conversation introduces new information.� The conversation achieves its purpose.�What the character is saying actually makes sense and means something.� The character speaks for a reason.� The reader can understand what the character is trying to communicate.� The characters speak in a way that is appropriate to their role.� The characters use vocabulary appropriate to their role. � The character is using the correct form of address.� You use a variety of speech tags.� The speech tags make sense, and don't sound contrived.� The speech tags aren't repetitious.� The speech tags are appropriate to your chosen point of view.� The speech tags are in the correct tense.� The formatting of direct speech is consistent.� The formatting of indirect speech is consistent.� The formatting of thoughts is consistent.� The characters use (appropriate) body language.� The characters convey subtext through word choice.� The characters convey subtext through pauses, hesitations and interruptions.� The characters convey subtext through rhetoric.� The characters are purposeful in the way they stay on topic, or change the subject.� The characters hint at things left unsaid.� The characters convey the full extent of their emotions.� The characters react to each other's tone and delivery.� The characters always react to what was said before.� The arguments are convincing.� It's clear what each character is arguing.� The outcome of the argument is clear (even if a consensus is deferred).� Both the characters and the reader remain aware of the setting of the conversation.� Both the characters and the reader remain aware of the context of the conversation.� The characters get equal time to speak, unless there is a reason for an imbalance.� It's possible to determine the characters' relations to each other through their speech.� It's clear to the reader if characters misunderstand each other or talk at cross purposes.� The pace of the conversation is appropriate to the scene.� The conversation contains something memorable.
GOOD DIALOGUE STORY: _________________________
WRITING ASYNOPSIS
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WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT YOUR MAIN CHARACTER(S)?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
STORY: _____________________________________________MAIN CHARACTER(S): ________________________________SYNOPSIS LENGTH: __________
WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE THING ABOUT YOUR WORLD?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT INFORMATION DO YOU NEED TO PROVIDE?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT QUESTIONS DOES THE SYNOPSIS POSE THE READER?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
KEYWORDS:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT DOES THE SYNOPSIS PROMISE THE READER?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW CAN THE SYNOPSIS INFORM THE READER BEFORE THEY EVEN BEGIN READING?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORDS OR PHRASES THAT DESCRIBE THE MAIN CHARACTER(S):
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
GENRE INDICATORS:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WRITING ASYNOPSIS
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LIST THE MAIN PLOT POINTS:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT ARE THE BIG REVELATIONS?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW CAN YOU TEASE OR MISLEAD READERS ABOUT THESE REVELATIONS?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DO YOU NEED TO WARN THE READER ABOUT ANYTHING?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT WORDS / IDEAS /THEMES WOULD APPEAL TO THESE READERS?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT STYLE OF WRITING WOULD APPEAL TO THESE READERS?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT SORT OF READERS DO YOU WANT TO READ YOUR STORY?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT METHODS DO BOOKSIN YOUR GENRE EMPLOY IN THEIR SYNOPSES?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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WRITING ASYNOPSIS
Try writing a few drafts of your synopsis, using your answers on the previous pages as checklists.You may also want to consider formatting; where to place paragraph breaks, what to emphasise, etc.
NAMING CHARACTERSWHAT LANGUAGE DO THE CHARACTERS SPEAK?
______________________________________________
HOW ARE NAMES USED IN THE LANGUAGE?
______________________________________________
SOCIAL INFLUENCES:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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CULTURAL INFLUENCES:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LINGUISTIC INFLUENCES:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DO NAMES CHANGE? IF SO, HOW AND WHY?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TITLES / HONORIFICS:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NOTES ON PRONUNCIATION:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NAMES & THE LAW:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NAMES & THE FAMILY:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NAMES & OCCUPATIONS:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW ARE FIRST NAMES GIVEN?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW ARE SECONDARY NAMES GIVEN?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NAMING CHARACTERS
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FIRST NAMES MEANING ORCONNOTATION SURNAMES MEANING OR
CONNOTATION NICKNAMES
YOUR READERSHIPHOW WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR STORY TO HELP ITS READERS?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW CAN YOU USE THESE IN YOUR STORY, IN ORDER TO PLEASE YOUR READERS?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT TONE WOULD WORK BEST FOR YOUR READERS?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
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WHAT ARE THEIR CULTURAL INFLUENCES?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT DO THEY SPEND THEIR TIME DOING?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT CHARACTERISES THEIR VOCABULARY?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT OTHER STORIES DO THEY ENJOY?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT ARE SOME THINGS YOUʼD LIKE TO BRING TO THEIR ATTENTION?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT ISSUES ARE IMPORTANT TO THEM?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHO WOULD MOST BENEFIT FROM READING YOUR STORY?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHO WOULD YOU MOST LIKE TO REACH?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
NARRATOR
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WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THIS NARRATOR?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS THE NARRATOR A CHARACTER IN THE STORY?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT IS THE NARRATORʼS PURPOSE IN TELLING THE STORY?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHICH CHARACTERSʼ THOUGHTS CAN THE NARRATOR ACCESS?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DOES THE NARRATOR HAVEACCESS TO INFORMATION THAT THE CHARACTERS DONʼT?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DOES THE NARRATOR AFFECT OR INTERACT WITH THE CHARACTERS?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT IS THE NARRATORʼS RELATIONSHIP TO THE PROTAGONIST?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHO IS THE NARRATOR ADDRESSING?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES THE NARRATOR FEEL TOWARDS THE ADDRESSEE?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES THE NARRATORʼS CHARACTER EMERGE?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO THE NARRATORʼS OPINIONS AND JUDGEMENTS EMERGE?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ARE THERE ANY FACTORS THAT MAKE THE NARRATOR UNRELIABLE?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
STORY: ___________________________________________NARRATOR: _______________________________________PERSON & TENSE: _________________________________
NARRATIVE TIME & VOICE
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HOW CURRENT IS THE NARRATORʼS STORY?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES THIS TIMING AFFECT THE TELLING OF THE STORY?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
THROUGH WHAT MEDIUM IS THE STORY TOLD?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS THERE A FRAMING NARRATIVE?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS THE NARRATIVE OBJECTIFIED WITHIN THE STORY?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS THERE A SENSE THAT THE NARRATIVE OUTLASTS THE STORY?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS THE NARRATIVE LINEAR AND CHRONOLOGICAL?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW LONG DOES THE NARRATION TAKE?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DOES THE NARRATION TAKE UP TIME IN THE STORY?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT IS THE NARRATORʼS TONE? HOW DOES IT AFFECT THE STORY?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DOES THE NARRATOR OR THEIR TONE CHANGE AS THE STORY PROGRESSES?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT HAPPENS TO THE NARRATOR AFTER THE END OF THE STORY?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
EDITING CHECKLIST (STORY)
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NOTES:
� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________
CHECK FOR... CHAPTER/PAGE NO.
� weak opening
� weak ending
� lack of story development
� lack of character development
� lack of world development
� too much information
� missing or insufficient information
� pacing problems - too slow
� pacing problems - too fast
� illogical / unconvincing behaviour
� lack of character motivation
� confusing description of action
� confusing description of thoughts / emotions
� confusing description of setting
� timeline errors / anachronisms
� world / setting errors
� inconsistencies in character appearance
� unresolved plot threads
�
�
�
�
�
EDITING CHECKLIST (TEXT)
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
WORDS / PHRASES THAT I FREQUENTLY REPEAT:
� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________
WORDS / PHRASES THAT I FREQUENTLY MISSPELL:
� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________� ______________________
CHECK FOR... CHAPTER/PAGE NO.
� unnecessary repetition of words or phrases
� misspelt words or phrases
� repetitive sentence length
� repetitive sentence structure
� unclear sentences / passages
� inconsistencies in tense
� ambiguous pronouns
� inconsistencies in use of names and titles
� ambiguous dialogue tags
� inconsistencies in formatting dialogue
� inconsistencies in formatting thoughts
� inconsistencies in capitalisation
� missing sections
� inconsistencies in voice and tone
� inconsistencies in settings
� inconsistencies in point of view
� awkward sentences
� misused words
�
�
�
�
�
CHOOSE A GENRE
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WHICH GENRES DO YOU READ MOST & WHY?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHICH GENRES DO YOU FIND EASY TO WRITE & WHY?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHOOSE YOUR TOP 2:
1. _______________________2. _______________________
ARE THERE ANY SUBGENRES THAT MIGHT HELP YOU COMBINE THEM?
__________________________________________________
THEMES ASSOCIATED WITH GENRE #1:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
THEMES ASSOCIATED WITH GENRE #2:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PLOT CONVENTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH GENRE #1:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PLOT CONVENTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH GENRE #2:
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHARACTER CONVENTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH GENRE #1:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHARACTER CONVENTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH GENRE #2:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORLD / SETTING CONVENTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH GENRE #1:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORLD / SETTING CONVENTIONS ASSOCIATED WITH GENRE #2:
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
STORY: _________________________
CHOOSE A GENRE
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
WHY ARE YOU WRITING THIS STORY?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW CAN GENRE #1 HELP TO TELL YOUR STORY?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW CAN GENRE #2 HELP TO TELL YOUR STORY?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW CAN SUBVERTING GENRE #1ʼS CONVENTIONS HELP TO TELL YOUR STORY?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW CAN SUBVERTING GENRE #2ʼS CONVENTIONS HELP TO TELL YOUR STORY?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
STORY: _________________________
LIMITATIONS OF GENRE #1:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LIMITATIONS OF GENRE #2:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW MIGHT THE ENDING CHANGE DEPENDING ON THE GENRE?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
THINGS YOU LOVE ABOUT GENRE #1:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
THINGS YOU LOVE ABOUT GENRE #2:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW WILL READER EXPECTATIONS CHANGE DEPENDING ON THE GENRE?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DECISION MAKING
CHARACTER 1: _________
SKILLS:
_______________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________
MOTIVATIONS:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TEMPERAMENT:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
JUSTIFICATIONS FOR:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
JUSTIFICATIONS AGAINST:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Decision-making will become too complicated for you and your readers to grasp if there are more than 3 characters involved. Even if you have a group of characters debating, try to have no more than 3 clear factions.
CHARACTERS INVOLVED IN MAKING THE DECISION
CHARACTER 2: _________
SKILLS:
_______________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________
MOTIVATIONS:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TEMPERAMENT:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
JUSTIFICATIONS FOR:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
JUSTIFICATIONS AGAINST:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CHARACTER 3: _________
SKILLS:
_______________________ ____________________________________________________________________________________________
MOTIVATIONS:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TEMPERAMENT:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
JUSTIFICATIONS FOR:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
JUSTIFICATIONS AGAINST:
___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
CHOICE 1:________________
CHOICE 2:________________
CHOICE 3:________________
ACTIONSNECESSARY
SKILLSNECESSARY
POSITIVECONSEQUENCES
NEGATIVECONSEQUENCES
ASSUMPTIONS
DECISION MAKING
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
PICK THE CHOICE THAT CREATES THE MOST CONFLICT, AND THAT BEST ALLOWS CHARACTERS TO USE THEIR SKILL-SET AND DEMONSTRATE THEIR PERSONALITY.
EXPRESSING EMOTIONS
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HOW EMOTIONAL IS THE CHARACTER?
WHAT IS THEIR PRIMARY EMOTION?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO THEY EXPRESS IT?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ARE THEIR EMOTIONS CHANGEABLE?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DO THEY HAVE DIFFICULTY EXPRESSING THEIR EMOTIONS?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ARE THEIR EMOTIONS CLEAR OR CONFUSED?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ARE THEIR EMOTIONS SIMPLE OR COMPLICATED/LAYERED?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS THERE A CONFLICT BETWEEN THEIR EMOTIONS AND THEIR INTELLECT?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW ARE EMOTIONS EXPRESSED IN THEIR FAMILY/SOCIETY?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ARE THERE EMOTIONS THEYʼRE EXPECTED TO FEEL?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
STORY: ____________________________ CHARACTER: ____________________________
DOES THE READER HEAR THE CHARACTERʼS THOUGHTS? DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT WORDS DO THEY USE TO DESCRIBE THEIR EMOTIONS?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO THEIR EMOTIONS VARY IN INTENSITY AS THE STORY PROGRESSES?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
EXPRESSING EMOTIONS
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DO THEY TRY TO CONTROL THEIR EMOTIONS?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DO THEY TRY TO HIDE THEIR EMOTIONS?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DO THEY TRY TO DENY/SUPPRESS THEIR EMOTIONS?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO THEIR EMOTIONS INFLUENCE THEIR ACTIONS?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO THEIR EMOTIONS INFLUENCE THEIR THOUGHTS?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO THEIR EMOTIONS INFLUENCE THEIR RELATIONSHIPS?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ARE THERE EMOTIONS OF WHICH THEY ARE UNAWARE?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO THESE MANIFEST?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO THEY BECOME AWARE OF THEM?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO OTHER CHARACTERS REACT TO THEIR EMOTIONS?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CAN OTHER CHARACTERS CORRECTLY INTERPRET THEIR EMOTIONS?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT EMOTIONS ARE THEY INCAPABLE OF FEELING?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
CREATE CONFLICT
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
WHO OR WHAT IS OPPOSING YOUR CHARACTER?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHY ARE THEY AT ODDS?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHO OR WHAT ELSE IS INVOLVED?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES THE CHARACTER REACT INTERNALLY?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES THE CHARACTER REACT EXTERNALLY?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT GOVERNS THE CHARACTERʼS REACTIONS?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS THE CHARACTER MOTIVATED TO RESOLVE THE CONFLICT?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW LONG DOES THE CONFLICT LAST?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW & WHEN SHOULD THE CONFLICT BE RESOLVED?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES THE CHARACTER DEVELOP THROUGH THIS CONFLICT?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO THE OTHER (OPPOSING) CHARACTERSDEVELOP THROUGH THIS CONFLICT?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES THE STORY DEVELOP THROUGH THIS CONFLICT?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
COMPOUND OR RESOLVE A CONFLICT
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
Conversation: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Violence: _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Threats:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Supplication:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Complaints:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Apologies:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Punishment:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Questions:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Empathy:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Requests:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Persuasion:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Honesty:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dishonesty:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Incentives:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT IS THE CONFLICT? ________________________________________________________
DO YOU NEED TO MAKE IT WORSE OR RESOLVE IT? _________________________________
BRAINSTORM SOME WAYS TO COMPOUND OR RESOLVE IT THROUGH…
COMPOUND OR RESOLVE A CONFLICT
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
Outside help:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Advice:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Inaction:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Orders:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Haste:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Leadership:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Departure:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Rank:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Death:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Inattention:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Information:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Error:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Discovery:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Deflection:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Other:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Other:_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________
THEEND
WHERE DID THE STORY BEGIN?
___________________________________________________________________________
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
OPTION 1WHAT IS THE ENDING THE MAIN CHARACTER WOULD LIKE?____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
OPTION 2WHAT IS THE ENDING THE ANTAGONIST WOULD LIKE?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
OPTION 3WHAT WOULD BE AN UNEXPECTED ENDING?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT DID YOU WANT THE STORY TO CONVEY TO THE READER?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW HAS THE MAIN CHARACTER CHANGED?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT WAS THE MAIN CHARACTER'S STATE AT THE BEGINNING OF THE STORY?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT HAS BEEN SYMBOLIC OF THE CHANGE?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHY DOES THE STORY END NOW?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT DO YOU NEED TO REMIND THE READER ABOUT?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT IS THE FINAL FEELING YOU WANT THE READER TO LEAVE WITH?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHERE SHOULD THE STORY END?
___________________________________________________________________________
WHAT IS IN THE CHARACTER'S FUTURE?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHO IS WITH THE CHARACTER & WHY?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________
START A FIGHT
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
WHO GETS INVOLVED IN THE FIGHT?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHY DO THEY START FIGHTING? WHO STARTS?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT IS AT STAKE FOR EACH PARTY?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT IS THE AIM OF THE FIGHT FOR EACH PARTY?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DO ALL PARTIES FIGHT FAIR?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHY COULDNʼT THE PROBLEM BE SOLVED WITHOUT FIGHTING?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ARE THERE ANY ONLOOKERS OR ARBITERS?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS THE FIGHT PRE-PLANNED OR SPONTANEOUS?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DOES ANYONE TRY TO FLEE? WHY OR WHY NOT?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES THE FIGHT END? IS THERE A CLEAR WINNER?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT DO THEY DO AFTER THE FIGHT? HOW DO THEY FEEL?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DOES THE FIGHT END THE CONFLICT BETWEEN THEM?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
START A FIGHT: PHYSICAL
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
DO THEY HAVE WEAPONS?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES THE METHOD/CHOICE OF WEAPON INFLUENCE THE FIGHT?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS THE FIGHT PART OF A RITUAL OR RITE OF PASSAGE?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHERE DO THEY FIGHT?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DOES THE FIGHTING GROUND PLAY A ROLE IN THE OUTCOME?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS ANYONE INJURED OR KILLED?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ARE THEY EVENLY MATCHED IN SKILL?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ARE THEY EVENLY MATCHED IN STRENGTH & STAMINA?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ARE THEY EVENLY MATCHED IN RESOURCES?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES THE FIGHT PLAY OUT?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DO ANY OTHER FACTORS COME INTO PLAY?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A PERFECT VILLAINDEFINING CHARACTERISTICS:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MOTIVATION:
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DO THEY CONSIDER THEMSELVES A VILLAIN?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
WHAT IS THEIR AIM?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES THIS CAUSE CONFLICT WITH THE PROTAGONIST?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHY DOES THE PROTAGONIST DISLIKE THEM?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
GENERAL MOOD / DISPOSITION / OUTLOOK:
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DO THEY FEEL MISTREATED?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO THEY PLAN TO ACHIEVE IT?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHY DO THEY DISLIKE THE PROTAGONIST?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DO THEY HAVE HENCHMEN?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO THEY TREAT THEIR SUBORDINATES?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ARE THEY ISOLATED?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHO OR WHAT DO THEY BLAME?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT ADVANTAGES DO THEY HAVE?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A PERFECT VILLAINHOW DO THEY TRY TO UNNERVE OTHERS?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
HOW DO THEY TRY TO MANIPULATE OTHERS?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO THEY TRY TO HURT OTHERS?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DO THEY PURSUE THEIR VICTIMS OR WAIT FOR THEM?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A PERSON?_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO THEY CREATE A CONTRAST WITH THE PROTAGONIST?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________HOW DO THEY CHANGE THE COURSE OF THE STORY?
______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO THEY TRY TO ANTAGONISE OTHERS?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
AN EVENT?_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SOMETHING ELSE?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A BELIEF/WORLD VIEW?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
THEIR ENVIRONMENT?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT MADE THEM A VILLAIN? WAS IT…
HOW DO THEY CREATE DRAMA & SUSPENSE?______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DO THEY CHANGE?_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DO THEY SUCCEED?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
OCCUPATIONS
IS THE WORK FULFILLING FOR THE CHARACTER?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS THE CHARACTER GOOD AT WHAT THEY DO?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
STORY: _______________________________CHARACTER: __________________________
WHERE DOES THE CHARACTER WORK? DO THEY LIKE IT THERE?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DO THEY HAVE TO COMMUTE?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT WORK DOES THE CHARACTER DO?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS THE WORK BENEFICIAL TO OTHERS?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DO THEY WORK OVERTIME?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DO THEY HAVE DAYS OFF?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS THIS THEIR DREAM JOB?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW LONG HAVE THEY BEEN DOING THIS WORK?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHY DOES THE CHARACTER DO THIS WORK?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT HOURS DO THEY WORK?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS THERE A HIERARCHY?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW MUCH INFLUENCE DOES THE CHARACTER HAVE AT WORK?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS THERE A SUPERVISOR / BOSS?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
HOW RESPONSIBLE ARE THEY?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DO THEY STEAL RESOURCES OR TIME?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DO THEY BREAK ANY RULES?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DO THEY LIKE THEIR COLLEAGUES?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DO THEY SEE THEIR COLLEAGUES OUTSIDE OF WORK?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHO ELSE WORKS THERE?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS THE WORK DANGEROUS?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT ARE THEIR FUTURE WORK PLANS / HOPES?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS IT SOLITARY OR SOCIAL WORK?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
OCCUPATIONS STORY: _______________________________CHARACTER: __________________________
THOUGHTS
HOW DO THEIR THOUGHTS REVEAL THEIR WORLDVIEW?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO THEIR THOUGHTS REVEAL THEIR TRUE MOTIVES?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
STORY: _______________________________CHARACTER: __________________________
DO THEY ARGUE IN THEIR OWN HEADS?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________
DO THEY QUESTION THEMSELVES?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT THOUGHTS OCCUPY THIS CHARACTERʼS MIND?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO THEIR THOUGHTS REVEAL THEIR CHARACTER?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT THOUGHTS DO THEY REPRESS?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO THEIR THOUGHTS CREATE MORE CONFLICT?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO THEIR THOUGHTS SHAPE THEIR INTERPRETATIONS OF EVENTS?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO THEIR THOUGHTS REVEAL THEIR EMOTIONS?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT THOUGHTS COME EASILY INTO THEIR MIND?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT WORDS OR PHRASES DO THEY USE OFTEN?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW WILL YOU INDICATE THEIR INDIRECT THINKING?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________
HOW DO THEY SOLVE PROBLEMS IN THEIR HEAD?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW WILL YOU INDICATE THEIR DIRECT THOUGHTS?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
WHAT IS THE DOMINANT TONE OF THEIR THOUGHTS?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW IS THE TONE OF THEIR THOUGHTS DISTINCTIVE?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW IS THEIR THINKING VOICE SIMILAR TO THEIR SPEAKING VOICE?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
ARE THEIR THOUGHTS IN ALIGNMENT WITH THEIR ACTIONS?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW OFTEN DO THEY EXPRESS THEIR THOUGHTS?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW LONG DO THEY SPEND THINKING VS. ACTING?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO THEIR THOUGHTS MISLEAD OR MISINFORM THE READER?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO THEIR THOUGHTS INTEREST THE READER?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO THEIR THOUGHTS LEAD OR INFORM THE READER?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
THOUGHTS STORY: _______________________________CHARACTER: __________________________
SET THE SCENE
HOW DOES THE SPACE AFFECT THEIR THOUGHTS?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES THE SPACE AFFECT THEIR INTERACTIONS?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
STORY: ____________________________CHARACTER: _______________________
IS THE SPACE IT LIGHT OR DARK?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IS THE SPACE LARGE OR SMALL?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
DOES THE SCENE TAKE PLACE INDOORS OR OUT?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES THE SPACE AFFECT THE CHARACTERSʼ MOVEMENTS?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DO THEY PERCEIVE THE SPACE DIFFERENTLY?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW DOES THE SPACE CREATE OR RESOLVE CONFLICT?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
HOW ARE THE CHARACTERS POSITIONED IN THE SPACE?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT THEMES ARE REPRESENTED BY THE SPACE?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT ROLE DOES THE SPACE PLAY IN THE STORY?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT OBJECTS ARE REPRESENTATIVE OF THE SPACE?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT LIMITATIONS DOES THE SPACE CAUSE?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LIST SOME WORDS THAT DESCRIBE THE SPACE…
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
WHAT DO THE CHARACTERS TOUCH?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT DO THE CHARACTERS SEE?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT DO THE CHARACTERS FEEL?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SET THE SCENE STORY: ____________________________CHARACTER: _______________________
HOW DO THESE INFLUENCE THE SCENE?
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT LIBERTIES DOES THE SPACE PROVIDE?
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT DO THE CHARACTERS SMELL?_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT DO THE CHARACTERS HEAR?_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WHAT DO THE CHARACTERS TASTE?
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
IDEA
EN
GIN
ERA
NDO
M W
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© E
.A. D
EV
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p:/
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com
PRO
BLEM
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& DI
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Find
links
bet
ween
see
min
gly
disp
arat
e wo
rds
and
idea
s an
d cr
eate
som
ethi
ng n
ew…
QUICK CHARACTER CREATOR
INTERESTING GOALS/MOTIVATIONS:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
INTERESTING BACKSTORIES:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
© E.A. DEVERELL - http://eadeverell.com
GENRE REQUIREMENTS:
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ _______________________
STORY REQUIREMENTS:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
PLOT REQUIREMENTS:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
INTERESTING OCCUPATIONS / ROLES:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORDS THEIR FRIENDS AND FAMILY USE TO DEFINE THEM:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORDS THEIR OPPONENTS USE TO DEFINE THEM:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
WORDS THEY USE TO DEFINE THEMSELVES:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
SKILLS THAT HELP THEM RESOLVE CONFLICT:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
FLAWS THAT HINDER THEM RESOLVING CONFLICT:
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
TYPICAL RESPONSE TO CONFLICT:
________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LIMITATIONS
INTEREST
DEFINITIONS
BEHAVIOUR
S
ADD
AC
TIO
NPR
OBL
EM C
HARA
CTER
IS
TRYI
NG T
O S
OLV
E:
EXTE
RNAL
SO
LUTI
ON:
BREA
K SO
LUTI
ON
DOW
N IN
TO
SMAL
LER
TASK
SW
HAT
NEED
/ M
OTI
VATI
ON
IS
BEH
IND
THIS
TAS
K?HO
W D
OES
THE
NEE
D /
MO
TIVA
TIO
N TU
RN IN
TO
ACTI
ON?
WHA
T IS
THE
REA
CTIO
N TO
THI
S AC
TIO
N?W
HAT
NEW
NEE
DS /
PRO
BLEM
S DO
ES T
HE
REAC
TIO
N CR
EATE
?
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
© E
.A. D
EV
ER
ELL -
htt
p:/
/ead
eve
rell.
com
Mov
e an
y un
reso
lved
task
s fro
m th
e fo
urth
col
umn
into
the
first
col
umn,
and
any
unr
esol
ved
prob
lem
s in
to a
new
tabl
e, a
nd b
egin
aga
in.