Scene-Writing Basics: Innermost Desire

You’ve probably heard that a well-written scene should have a beginning, a middle, and an end, and that’s a good starting point for us, right?

Yes. No.

Before we write a single word of a scene, we have to back-up a bit and have a clear understanding of the POV character’s innermost desire. This isn’t the character’s immediate objective or a simple, external goal. This is much deeper. Understanding this crucial need is what gives you the power to write strong, emotional scenes. It provides the basis for the conflict you’ll use, and it pushes the scene events along from beginning, through the middle, on to the end -- and beyond.

Principle 1: Know your character’s deepest need.

Sounds simple, right? It’s not. Sometimes your character won’t even be aware of exactly what it is he or she needs. But as the story’s creator, you must have a full understanding of what your character requires in order to achieve true happiness.

Like people in real life, fictional characters often delude themselves. We fail to see the long-range forest because we’re too busy looking at the day-to-day trees of our existence. We convince ourselves that material things can make us happy, or that attaining a certain status will do the trick.

Nope. Happiness is about more than getting the little things -- or even some of the big things -- we think we want. Real happiness only comes when we get what we need.

In 1943, Abraham Maslow developed a hierarchy of needs. He spoke of food, shelter, air as being the most basic needs. He talked about satisfying emotional needs too.

Here is the overall hierarchy Maslow established:

In fiction-writing, the principles used for character development are very similar to this hierarchy. There are four generalized “needs” -- and a lot of over-lapping -- that form the basis for true happiness in the lives of fictional characters. These are:

1. Physical safety and well-being.

2. Emotional acceptance and understanding.

3. Trust and awareness of reality.

4. Power and control of one’s own destiny.

Let’s take a quick look at these four areas in order to understand how they work in fiction and why they’re so important to both story development and character development -- and why they’re the basis for all the scenes you’ll be writing.

Physical Safety and Well-Being

Every character in every story faces one inevitable conflict with life itself: death. We live; we die. This is a fact that can’t be avoided -- but we may not think about it on a daily basis unless something in our environment poses an immediate threat to our physical safety and well-being. The same is true for fictional characters. In many stories, the threat of sickness or death may be virtually non-existent. In other stories, the need for physical safety and well-being will form the central issue of the story.

In these stories, your character’s deepest need relates to the physical aspects of life. Your character needs to be physically safe, to be protected from harm, to be free from danger, free from illness, physical deformities, or disabling conditions -- or, if that’s not possible, your character must develop the ability to fully accept a physical imperfection and thereby achieve a sense of physical well-being.

No matter how wise your character may be, despite the love and friendships your character has, regardless of the power and influence your character exerts in his or her life, until the character achieves physical safety and well-being, true happiness will not be possible.

Emotional Security, Forgiveness, and Acceptance

The next area to explore involves the emotional aspects of life. Essentially, as Abraham Maslow pointed out, we need love and a sense of belonging. So do fictional characters. Satisfying your character’s emotional needs will often be the main issue of a story, especially when you’re writing romance. Romance is all about emotional security. It’s about being comfortable enough to give and receive love. It’s about forgiving ourselves and others. It’s about reaching out -- and hopefully being accepted rather than rejected.

Life involves taking chances, especially in personal relationships. Any negative thoughts a fictional character carries around inside his or her head can make it difficult to establish strong bonds with others.

As before, it doesn’t matter how smart your cookie is. Who cares how much money he’s got if he’s an emotional mess? Health? Great to have, but living a long, miserable life is a far cry from happiness. The point: fictional characters must achieve emotional security in order to achieve genuine happiness. They must forgive themselves and others; they must accept themselves and others. They must know -- and be -- all they are meant to be.

Mental Awareness, Trust, and Reality

All issues involving the human mind -- real or fictional -- can be tricky. The mind is a place where imagination holds sway and reality is often skewed. People often live in illusions. So do fictional characters.

One of the most difficult aspects of mind-related issues is that the character with the problem is likely to be wholly unaware of it. It’s difficult to resolve a problem...no, let’s back up. It’s impossible to resolve a problem unless we’re aware that it exists.

Fictional characters must know the truth before true happiness can be achieved. This ultimate truth involves all aspects of their reality. They must know whom they can trust -- and who is really out to get them. They must open their eyes and see their world as it truly is, not as they wish it to be. They must learn to think for themselves, to make their own judgments about right and wrong, and they must give up old thought patterns and out-dated beliefs that have held them back in the past.

A character may be brimming with health, may be surrounded by well-meaning friends and loved ones, and may have a fortune at his or her disposal. Yet, if that character lives in a world of lies and deceits, real happiness can never be found.

Material Comforts, Morality, and Control of One’s Destiny

Material comfort itself is rarely an over-riding concern in romantic fiction. Yes, there are characters who are seeking monetary gain, characters whose objectives are to climb to the pinnacle of success, and often they’re rewarded with financial security. But, as often as not, the wealthy, affluent characters in romantic fiction are not as happy as they appear. They usually have lessons to learn -- about how money doesn’t bring happiness, about how doing for others is more important than pursuing their own selfish interests.

Still, material comforts do play a role in the lives of fictional characters. Most often, that role involves providing material comfort -- financial support -- for someone less fortunate. Older siblings seek to support not only themselves, but their younger brothers and sisters. A romantic heroine struggles to support her crippled father. The protective young hero fights to provide for his little sister and to make her dreams of a good education come true. These are examples of the need for material comfort.

At a deeper level, however, the desire for material comfort arises from a number of greater needs: the need to feel that we control our own destiny, that we are morally good men and women, that we are capable of managing our own affairs without asking for help from others.

Fictional characters need this power, too. So long as your character is subjected to the demands of others, or is in debt to another, genuine happiness will not be achieved.

Running parallel to this need for control of one’s destiny is a larger desire: the desire to make the world a better place. Fictional characters don’t focus on their needs alone. They see what’s wrong in society, and they seek to change it. They work to end corruption, they stand up to the rich and powerful oppressors, they valiantly fight for what they know is right. All else becomes secondary.

If they die for what they believe, so be it. If they find themselves rejected, scorned, hated, and despised, it doesn’t matter. If they are forced to lie, steal, or cheat in the cause of achieving a greater good, they will do whatever they must. So strong are their beliefs, they can never achieve true happiness until the wrongs have been righted and the world has been changed.

~~~~~

What’s the point in identifying these underlying, psychological needs of your characters? Simple. Every scene begins with a behind-the-scenes desire for happiness. Your character’s greatest need might be a need for physical security. Your character might be desperately needing emotional acceptance. Or maybe your character needs to break free from illusions and face the truth. Maybe your character is fighting to take control of his or her destiny. Whatever your character’s central issue may be, it will serve as a starting point for all your character does.

Take a good look at your characters, assess their needs, and pinpoint the specific thing they must have in order to attain true happiness. It’s not just about getting the girl. It’s not simply making money. It’s none of the external goals your characters set for themselves. Those goals are important, yes, but what’s even more important is the underlying psychological basis upon which those needs are formed.

So, before your write your next scene, figure out what your character must have in order to find true happiness. Find that core issue, that underlying question, that deep-seated need that drives your character. Your scenes will have more power, more meaning, and more inherent conflict as a result.

COMING SOON: SCENE OBJECTIVES

Author Spotlight: Sherry Gloag

In the “Author Spotlight” today is Sherry Gloag, a talented writer from the beautiful East Anglican countryside in the United Kingdom. Sherry has had a number of short stories and books published and is here today to talk about her upcoming release, His Chosen Bride. I asked her to share a few thoughts about the story, its characters, and the inspiration behind it.

Thoughts From Sherry

The British royal wedding in 2011 inspired me to write From Now Until Forever. It was published by Astraea Press in December, 2011, and became the first in a four-book series. The second in the series, His Chosen Bride, also published by Astraea Press, is due out in time for Valentine’s Day. Each book in the series features one of the four Gasquet princes. Although I don’t yet have publication dates for the third and fourth stories in the series, hopefully they will be available in the summer or the fall of the year.

My favorite character in the series is Melanie, the heroine from the first book. She appears in each of the stories, and she’s such a vibrant woman, I have to “root” for her.

From Now Until Forever

For Prince Liam, families meant bad news, unwanted commitments, and the loss of his personal freedom. Love spawned white picket fences, slippers at the hearth with a wife and kids making demands, so why did those images disappear when he met Melanie Babcot?

Melanie Babcot fought hard to escape the horrors of her youth and vowed to remain single and free, so when paid to protect Prince Liam from insurgents why did her personal pledge fly out the window?

EXCERPT:

Liam Fitzwilliam Gasquet stared in amazement at the blooming patch of red milliseconds before the pain exploded in his arm. Some trigger-happy idiot had fired in his direction. Indignation didn’t have time to take root before another bullet kicked the dust at his feet.

Not ‘trigger-happy’. Intentional.

The rebels had found the fourth and youngest son of Jean-Phillipe Gasquet, ruler of the tiny kingdom adjacent to the Swiss border. When had they discovered his whereabouts?

With a reluctant sigh, he faced the truth of it. They hadn’t ‘found’ him at all. They’d followed him.

His Chosen Bride

Prince Henri Gasquet is prepared to marry a woman chosen by his parents, until, he meets Monica Lattimer.

Monica Lattimer will protect herself from further rejection at almost any cost; until she takes a risk on Prince Henri, a man so out of her social circle she wonders whether she’s lost her mind.

EXCERPT:

“Monica!”

She knew she’d never heard the voice before, and yet -- it was as familiar to her as the image she saw in her mirror each morning.

“Help me, Monica.”

Desperate for more clues, she searched the darkness within the flames until it sputtered and faded. With a curse, she jumped up and ran for the phone. With her outstretched hand hovering over it she halted and let her hand drop to her side once more. What could she say? What would the police or rescue team think if she called them and told them she’d seen a vision of a man in distress?

They’d laugh in her face and classify her as a lunatic. Well, maybe not. It wouldn’t be the first time she’d contacted them with positive information but something—an instinctive gut reaction told her what she’d seen this time hadn’t happened yet.

More Thoughts from Sherry

I don’t do ‘resolutions’, because as soon as I fix on one, I work hard to break it! This year my ‘aim’ is to find balance in my writing. Balance for writing time, which is usually in the late evening, balance in promotional efforts ~ this one is way out of the ball park right now, and balance with family commitments, and no, not necessarily in that order! LOL.

There are writers who hold down full time jobs and yet offer several full length books every year, how do they do it? Well according to some, they slot in their writing as and when they can, and I take my hat off to their awesome results. Sadly I am not that organized. LOL.

I am often asked ‘what advice would you give an aspiring author?’ And the short but not easy answer for the recipient is, perseverance. Don’t give up, don’t give in, and believe in yourself. If you don’t do that, why should anyone else believe in you?

When I was in school my teacher confiscated a story I was writing, with the throw-away comment; ‘Why can’t you write as neatly in your homework?’ I never saw it again. LOL. But… many, many years later I did write a story, lots of them and eventually I did find someone who was willing to believe in me and my characters, and I did get published. It doesn’t often happen overnight, and that’s what perseverance is all about.

If inspiration deserts you try opening a blank page and simply writing. Or look for a word prompt or a picture, something, anything. It was five word prompts that sparked the beginning of my new release due out in time for Valentine’s, His Chosen Bride, and again a single word prompt, so far, for the current work in progress.

But, most importantly of all, enjoy what you are doing because the reader will ‘know’ if you don’t.

Where to Find Sherry and her Stories

Sherry Gloag on Facebook

Twitter: @SherryGloag

Sherry's Blog: Sherry Gloag - The Heart of Romance

Stretching Your Creative Muscles

Want a quick and easy way to increase your creativity?

Don't we all!

Well, sorry, I don't know any quick ways, but I do know a trick that's fairly easy. Interested?

First, let me tell you a bit about when and how I first discovered this "creativity exercise". It was at a time when a lot of magazines -- both writing magazines and psychology magazines -- were touting creativity tests. "Are You Creative?" -- or some variation thereof -- blared from dozens of colorful covers.

I looked at the question, laughed, and went on my way. Of course I was a creative individual. Between writing, musical composition, art, and a dozen other "creative" hobbies, I reeked creativity. Right? Well, I thought so.

But then one day I grabbed one of those magazines, took one of those quizzes, and discovered that I'd been wrong all along. According to the test results, I didn't have a single creative bone in my little body. I was aghast. Everything I'd believed about myself had been a lie.

Fortunately, the magazine I'd chosen had a remedy to suggest. For those -- like me -- who scored low on the CQ (Creativity Quotient) hope still existed. I just needed to begin exercising those creative muscles and maybe, in time, I'd see improvement.

In looking back, I laugh a little whenever I tell this story, because I know I've always been a creative individual, and I've been exercising my creative muscles all along. My problem wasn't a low CQ; it was letting myself be too easily swayed by what I read. I've since learned not to put a great deal of faith in psychological tests, especially ones designed to measure something that really can't be measured.

But back then, I needed something to boost my sagging confidence, so I undertook one of the exercises listed. It proved to be somewhat of a turning point for me with my writing. It helped me discover a new approach to putting words on the page. It also taught me the value in that old adage about putting one's rear in the chair and staying there.

So, without further ado or explanation, I'd like to share this simple creativity exercise.

1. Sit down in front of your computer (or typewriter, if you're still in that mode).
2. Note the time.
3. Begin writing -- about anything. Don't go back to correct errors; don't erase; don't worry about spelling. Don't even worry about content. Just start writing.
4. Keep writing for as long as you can without stopping.
5. When you absolutely can't write a moment more, stop.
6. Note the time.

Now, look at how long you wrote. Double it and make that your goal. For instance, if you wrote for 55 minutes, your final goal will be 110 minutes. If you couldn't make it past 20 minutes, fine. Your final goal will be 40 minutes. Or, if you find yourself having fun, like I did, and you end up writing non-stop for 2 hours and 45 minutes, your final goal will be 5 hours and 30 minutes.

The next day, sit down in front of your computer and begin writing non-stop once again. This time write for 5 minutes longer than you did the previous day. Write about anything! Write about the weather. Write about how silly and pointless the exercise is. (I did a lot of that.) Write about family, friends, old memories, what you need from the grocery store, and what other things you could be doing if you weren't trapped in that hard-backed chair.

Each day, add another five minutes to your time until you eventually reach your goal.

Sounds a bit silly, I know. What you'll find, however, if you give this exercise a try, is that a lot of incredible things happen between Day 1 and your final goal. I'm not going to say much more because your experience will be different from mine. I will say, though, that what goes on during this creativity exercise can have a profound effect on your writing and your life.

I encourage every writer to give this little creativity exercise a try -- just once, at least. If you do, please let me know your thoughts -- afterward. I'd love to share stories with you.

Author Spotlight: Carole Lane James

A Time for Love welcomes Carole Lane James to the “Author Spotlight” today. An active member of the Internet Writer’s Workshop (IWW), Carole is a multi-talented lady with a distinct writing voice and a remarkable ability to create true-to-life characters.

You’ll find her blog here: Lane James Reverie


From: Carole




I live in rural Tidewater, Virginia. My husband and I raise Black Angus cattle on our farm. Even though times are tough in the farming industry, we struggle along. Parts of the farm have been in the family for over a hundred years, so it's hard to give up a way of life for us old-timers. Every season brings a new task to accomplish, caring for the land and the animals, preserving it for future generations.

Dabbling with paints has always been a pastime I love. I paint scenes on oyster shells and others that I find on the beach near my home.

For many years I enjoyed teaching tennis to kids of all ages. I had to give it up when age, along with abusing my joints for too many years, made it too painful. A time and place for all things.

After my retirement from tennis, I worked for a while designing menus for local restaurants. This led me to a love of graphic arts. Now, I love designing book covers, and when I have writer’s block, I sometimes hop over to the other computer and play with designs. I would love to expand this avocation, side by side with my love of writing.





I have come to the joys and tribulations of writing late in life. Story-telling has always been a part of me. My youngest son encouraged me to write because he remembered the many stories I told while he was growing up. He suggested I try writing short stories, and at my age, I have many stories to tell. My son began taking me on a trip down memory lane, giving me glimpses of the past. When I felt unsure, he told me that any mother who would insist her kids learn to walk on stilts, then make them and teach them, all to get ready for Halloween, could write. I started my first book the next day. I was hooked by the time Chapter One was finished.

I didn't want to be encumbered with guidelines in the begininng. Boy, was that a mistake. I've learned how to plot and panster, hand in hand. Even though my brain was bursting with scenes and charactes, there was a need to organize them. Lesson learned. Another lesson I am still working on is knowing each character in depth before I begin.

So many thoughts are spinning in my head looking for a place to land, I study the tools of writing every day.

Amazon has made a tidy profit on me along the way with books on writing. Two books I’ve found especially helpful are The First Five Pages and A Dash of Style, both by Noah Lukeman. I like his direct and down-to-earth way of phrasing his teachings.


I must give many thanks to all the folks on the IWW list for their patience and guidance. Without their help, I'm afraid my words might just be a jumble of thoughts that happen to fall on the paper.

I also want to give special thanks to Ginger and Diane for their support over the past year. They’ve read the pages I’ve written and have given much-appreciated feedback. Sometimes they like a character, sometimes not!

Of course, I also want to thank my husband, who is my most ardent supporter. His meals are late (he can’t cook), and he gently reminds me whenever he’s out of socks, but he understands and gives me the freedom to type away!


About Sloan’s Horizon



The story I'm working on now, Sloan’s Horizon, is set in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. We travel there often. Since growing up on an island on the Chesapeake Bay here in Virginia, I've always loved the water. Being near it gives me inspiration and feeds my soul.

Sloan's Horizon is a story of how a man's past comes back to haunt him. He struggles with his past while his wife worries that he is withdrawing deeper into himself. She talks him into going to the shore to sort out his feelings, not understanding why she can't help him. While there, he begins to delve into his past in order to find what his future holds. His wife, Linny, by chance develops a friendship with a woman who finds herself without the means to survive. Since Linny can't help her husband, she puts her energy into helping someone else.

The story weaves the lives of very different people into strong and intimate friendships, forming an extended family bond. With the answers to his past, Sloan allows his life to move forward. The title comes from him being able to see beyond the depths of despair toward a new horizon filled with understanding and the missing pieces of the past.

Carole


From Christina

I’d like to thank Carole for sharing her time and her talents today. The beautiful covers shown are both her designs. If you’re interested in having her design your next book’s cover, you can reach her at carolelanejames@gmail.com.

And...please take a moment to visit Carole’s blog, The Lane James Reverie. You’ll find lots of stories you’ll enjoy.