Tip #329: Using characters' desires to create character arcs

How far will that character go to fulfil their desires? Will he sacrifice the life of a member of his family to stay alive? Will she sacrifice her own life to kill him?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/books/crime-writing-competition/10159834/Telegraph-Harvill-Secker-Crime-Writing-Competition-masterclass-Stuart-Neville-on-plot.html

Quote taken from video so may not be word perfect.

Character arcs often build up to this question.  It's something we often grapple with daily: how far will we go to satisfy our desire for calorie-rich food?  Will we sacrifice our spare change/diet/figure/health/self-respect/love?  Where is the point when one desire battles with another and we start to question if the original driving desire is worth it?  Where is the point when we decide YES, it's worth it, or NO, it's not?  And what are the consequences of this decision?

The main character arc in Star Wars IV is different.  It's about Luke learning to believe in the Force (and therefore himself) culminating in his choice to trust it (and his own judgement) for a vitally important gamble (and foreshadowing the same decision in Star Wars VI).  But Han Solo has a desire character arc, discovering offscreen he can't abandon his friends in their attempt to destroy the Death Star -- even for money/long life.

Tip #316: Meaning in character arcs

A powerful story motif occurs when the anti-hero, because of the unfolding events, is forced to join the community.

http://www.writersdigest.com/tip-of-the-day/writing-fiction-the-three-types-of-lead-characters

Likewise, if you start with a character who is part of the community and because of the unfolding events chooses or is forced to leave the community, that's also powerful.

Tip #295: Is your theme a question?

instead of using the theme “justice,” let the events of the story pose a more engaging question: “What’s more important, telling the truth or protecting the innocent?”

Rather than giving the advice, “You should forgive others,” let your story explore a dilemma: “How do you forgive someone who has done the unthinkable to someone you love?”

Let your story do more than reiterate the cliché, “The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.” Instead, challenge that axiom by presenting your characters with situations that raise the question, “When do the needs of the few outweigh the needs of the many?”

http://www.writersdigest.com/whats-new/5-story-mistakes-even-good-writers-make

Tip #290: Story as a whole

"A story is designed," according to Cron, "from beginning to end to answer a single overarching question. As readers, we instinctively know this, so we expect every word, every line, every character, every image, every action to move us closer to the answer."

http://childrenspublishing.blogspot.co.uk/2012/09/concept-begins-from-line-one-or-whats.html

Tip #224: Using Deus ex Machina

THE SUCCESS OF DEUS EX MACHINA NEVER LIES IN THE DELIVERY, BUT IN THE SET-UP AND IT’S IMPORTANCE TO THE CHARACTER

http://filmcrithulk.wordpress.com/2011/10/06/hulk-explains-why-we-should-stop-it-with-the-hero-journey-shit/

Tip #141: A writer's voice

Voice goes much deeper than the style of how words are strung together on paper or screen. Voice reflects what you believe, what you know, what you understand, what you have experienced in life... when it comes to spending several months of your life writing one, it’s going to reflect who YOU are deep inside. Your cares and concerns, your beliefs, and your passions... that’s why Voice cannot be duplicated. No two souls are alike.

http://harrypotterforwriters.blogspot.com/2011/06/giving-voice-to-boy-who-lived.html
If you're having trouble finding your voice, try baring your soul.

Tip #95: Quiet themes

write your theme quietly... so that it's not rising up at the end of the novel and overpowering the story (stiletto in the ribs vrs a mallet)

http://www.adventuresinscifipublishing.com/2010/12/aisfp-106-guy-gavriel-kay/


Note: This quote was taken from a podcast and isn't word perfect, although it's close  : )

Tip #83: Linking storylines

the A, B and C storylines in a TV episode are usually thematically linked... Even if readers don’t consciously notice it, they’ll feel it.

http://screenwritingtips.tumblr.com/ Tip #548

Tip #52: Timelessness

timelessness comes from the themes and characters and experiences more than from references or other small details. Regardless of dated elements, we still read the classics because they’re good stories and great voices…those will always be the key to staying relevant.

http://kidlit.com/2010/11/19/references-and-dating-your-manuscript/