Writing on Writing to Remember

Alright. What really makes a character? His trait or his aspirations. All of them true. All of them false. In my view, its the goal and the obstacles that are strategically strewn ahead of him.

Is it plot driven character? Or a character driven plot? Could be either. Could be both. Experiment. As long as the content and the matter really matters. To you, and then to your intended audience. Be free to ask questions. Who, What, Why, Where, When and How!!! This is will at least make sure there is a solution to every problem and your character won't walk away leaving you in a block where you might scream "fudge, fudge, fudge". Yes, I'm sentimental to chocolate and the erstwhile whisky. Both...

Ante up and RAISE! En guard and raise hell.

Andy, can be normal or extreme depending on the circumstance. He could be moral or ethical. But does he really need heroic qualities? Would it really help your audience identify with him, knowing that everyone wants to save the day. Sometimes it works, sometimes it won't. Seeing that scenario, why not ante up.

Why think of heroes when there are antiheroes or byronic heroes. Google search that! Why think in the lines of a protagonist against an antagonist when you can have an entire range of characters in the likes of deuteragonist and tritagonists. Wiki that. Before you lose that site forever. Please donate...

So Andy is a film director, but he has no cash on him. After making a few short films he's been lost for a while and the debts are piling up. Should he rob a bank, risk arrest and charge and be behind bars forever? Cliche! Should he have a cancer ridden lover to make it justified. Double cliche. I'd rather him stealing credit cards from family and friends alike, putting all and nothing on that film he keeps talking about; have him turn tyrannical and conflict with every individual there is on the set (because he's inwardly scared of success) including getting caught by those he stole from and getting burnt or worse ostracized until the film turns to be a stupendous journey and the reels and cans are burnt in a disastrous fire. But whatever he salvages still wins him an award with enough respect to have a chance again; alongside atonement. Could be the same film with a bigger budget, or a whole new dimension. I'd avoid stereotypes and caricatures. In my perspective, it is not only close to reality but beyond it and works evermore. The range of motivations and emotions alone keeps it compelling.

Do you ever sit on a chair and rock it back, even though you know with the weight there is a good chance the chair might tip back and chance you a nasty fall? Especially that very moment when it does happen and its hanging midway, nor forward nor back and you have your arms flailing, blood pounding and prepared for that fall! But suddenly you come back relieved. I like that feeling. I'd hold on to that. Hard. Hurts. Cruel. Fate. But. Return

Equilibrium!!!