Hello everyone, I've started on a new novel / screenplay of sorts and I've run into a brick wall. I have what I think is an interesting premise, in a setting not unlike 1984 (with the main character alone and against the world.) He knows there's a problem with the world, with the way things are coming about, but he's the only one who sees things this way (that we know of.) That's all fine and dandy, but if he's the only one who is aware of this... what exactly is he gonna do? I'm toying with the idea of adding another character that he can confide to (but I'm strongly against the ideas of a love interest and/or a 'guru' who will save him or whatever) but even if I do.... what will he do in his off time? What does he do until he trusts this character, at least? The more I give him soliloquies about the state of the world and how he's all alone, the more it seems like he's just boring and complaining, just annoying. Any ideas?
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51,848 / 50,000
juill. 21, 2008 - 05 41
All stories are, in a way or another, about conflict. The main character wants something, obstacles appear, the MC overcomes them (or not).
It seems to me that you MC doesn't want anything. He knows that the world is wrong. What does he want to do with that knowledge ? For me, there are three main courses of actions.
* He doesn't do anything. You don't have a story.
* He decides to side with the power in place (blackmailing them to get in a position of power by threatening to reveal what he knows, possibly bluffing that he knows more than he does)
* He decides to try to fight the power in place.
You can also do some mix and match with it. He might decide not to do anything, and then someone he likes (a relative, by instance) is killed because of the way the society is, and he decides to revolt. Maybe he decides to fight from the inside (Google Lorenzacio)....
----------Nous sommes tous fous, il n'y a que les fous qui le savent.
Ce n'est pas de la répétition, c'est de l'antitition.
2006 : Les ailes brisées du phoenix
2007 : Apocalypse
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juill. 21, 2008 - 09 12
I like him trying to set up a secret society for dealing the his issues. More characters adds interest.
Maybe he could...
1. organize some commercials on TV to target morality issues
2. turn the side of the authorities at his home town precinct
3. get together a rock band to spread his own propoganda messages
If none of these ideas work, maybe the list can help you come up with your own questions.
jade
I write white on white. That way the editing is a lot easier! LOL
50,103 / 50,000
juill. 21, 2008 - 15 01
This story should probably begin when your character does something interesting . . . as close to moment as possible to when he decides to act against the world. This might mean he starts by opening up to someone (maybe someone after his own heart, a best friend, I don't care), maybe while wondering what he's doing or trying to speak cryptically and vaguely in case this person will immediately turn against him. Or it might start when he begins to make plans as to how the world should change. Or better yet, when he starts to implement his plans. Characters need to DO something. Stories need movement.
----------"Be nice to the imaginary people. Don't kill too many." -- e-mail from my youngest sister, June 23, 2008
27,789 / 50,000
juill. 25, 2008 - 09 22
Orwell gave his main character a diary. Of course, you don't want your book to be a carbon copy of 1984, but giving him a chance to confide in someTHING will make his feelings known to the audience without it sounding like a monologue. Maybe he has an anonymous blog? Or he could send anonymous letters to a newspaper or magazine. Those both create opportunities for like-minded people to find him...and maybe the enemy, as well. Ooh, tension!