Mining for Character

Character Mining

a workshop by Ann Voss Peterson

http://annvosspeterson.com

Great stories evolve from character. Character = characterization in action. To

define character, start by defining

action and characterization.

ACTION (a.k.a. the plot) –

the external goal versus the external conflict forms

the core ACTION of the story.

Goal:

The goal is external. The goal must be important, urgent, concrete, measurable. The character

can state his/her goal aloud.

______ wants ________________________________________________________________.

External Conflict:

The external conflict comes from outside the character. The main conflict comes from the goal

of the antagonist. Goal of protagonist vs. goal of antagonist = main plot.

Antagonist wants ____________________________________________________________.

CHARACTERIZATION –

the emotional need and the deep fear which causes it forms the

core of characterization.

Emotional Need:

The external goal symbolizes an emotional need inside the character. The character is driven by

this need, but it is often subconscious.

_____ needs ________________________________________________________.

Fear:

The emotional need is a reaction to the character’s deepest fear. The fear dictates how a

character might react to any situation. This forms the subconscious, emotional core of

CHARACTERIZATION.

_____ fears _______________________________________________________.

Recap:

EXTERNAL GOAL

symbolizes EMOTIONAL NEED which is driven by DEEPEST FEAR.

Character Mining – Ann Voss Peterson

HOW FEAR DRIVES EMOTIONAL NEED:

Universal Fear Resulting emotional need

fear of betrayal needs to avoid trusting others/hold on to loyalties

fear of not being worthy needs to prove worth (define good and bad)

fear of being a bad person needs to prove goodness/punish self

fear of vulnerability needs to prove strength

fear of being a failure needs to prove success (define success and failure)

fear of being invisible/insignificant needs to prove significance

fear of being controlled by emotion needs to prove logic/deny emotion

fear of selfishness needs to prove selflessness

fear of fear/cowardice needs to prove heroism

fear of abandonment needs to prove independence or hold on tighter

Further reading on deep fear:

http://www.enneagraminstitute.com

http://www.etbscreenwriting.com

Believable Characters: Creating with Enneagrams by Laurie Schnebly, 2008

Character Arc:

The character begins a story in the grip of his/her fear. The character ends the story in a different

state, either overcoming a fear (or taking steps in that direction) or succumbing to the fear.

Popular fiction is usually about protagonists overcoming his/her fear and villains succumbing to

his/her fear. Romance fiction ALWAYS features a hero and heroine who overcome their fears or

at least take steps to overcome.

Questions to keep in mind while plotting and/or writing:

How does your character’s change between each major plot point in your story? What plot or

relationship action forces the change?

How does your character change in each scene? What plot or relationship action forces the

change?

Character Mining – Ann Voss Peterson

Building the PLOT/Developing the character arc:

The ACTION of the story forces the protagonist to face his/her fear. What happens at each major

point in the story, and how does it impact the character’s fear? Plot point is stimulus, Character

impact is response.

Inciting Incident

Moment of Commitment

First Reversal

Midpoint

Second Reversal

Crisis

Big Black Moment (All is Lost)

Epiphany (the point the character faces the fear)

Climax

Resolution

Building a Romance/Developing the character arc:

The RELATIONSHIP/s in a story also force the character to confront his/her fear.

Romantic Conflict:

Regardless of love, _________ can’t be with hero/ine because deep down s/he’s afraid

_____________________________________________________________________.

Compare to:

______ fears ______________________. Are the two fears the same? Are the fears real?

What traits does your character most admire in others (Example: inner calm -or- integrity)? How

do those trais relate to the fear? Does the lover possess those traits?

How does each turning point in the relationship challenge the character to face his/her fear?

How does falling in love help your character take a step toward overcoming his/her fear?

How can vulnerability strengthen your character’s fear and cause a setback?

How can sex force your character to face his/her fear? What acts can the lover perform or

request that push your character’s limits?