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I mentioned that I read Goal, Motivation & Conflict on a recent trip to the frozen North. I've now started applying the concepts. Let me just say: WOW! A few concise lines about each character's goals, motivations, and conflicts (both internal and external) has shown me a ton about my work.
Light Bulb #1 - I have a much more difficult time producing external conflict. I jokingly call myself "Internal Gal" to my cp's, but it's true. I'm much more interested in what make people tick inside than what makes the external world go round. BUT, I need both in these stories, in different percentages for each. I had a much more difficult time listing externals than internals for most characters.
Light Bulb #2 - This chart (and I've only done the one for Untouchable) shows me exactly where and why characters will butt heads. If they are not motivated correctly, the conflict is manufactured and something stronger needs to be there instead.
Light Bulb #3 - This will keep my characters in line. They should do what their motivations push them to do. It will also keep my villian from taking over the story - he's quite dynamic with a fantastic GMC, but the other characters, especially the hero, need to be his equal.
And the best part (for me) is that I don't have to fill out a million forms before I can start revisions. I've done the worldbuilding and character development, and now the GMC charts can guide the revising process. There will be some hard moments ahead, where I don't want to "sacrifice the things I love" (Robert E. Lee), but the end result will be worth it. I don't think I can write another story without using GMC.
Bonus: Click to Brush with Romance
-current clothing: jeans, white tank/green sweater combo, cowboy boots
-current hair: mid-length, layered, clipped back
-current mood: still a little blah, but coming out of it
-current refreshment: Diet Dr. Pepper - cherry vanilla (dessert in a can)
-current annoyance: not having enough time in the day
-current avoidance: GMC charts
-current smell: Warm vanilla sugar
-current thing you ought to be doing: scouring the admissions files for missing transcripts
-current thing or things on your wall: I'm @ work, so in my office I have my diplomas, a bulletin board with the class schedules, a calendar, my Ohio State pennant, and various pics of cute animals (mostly polar bears). I have an Eliot Porter print behind me, and some pics of the kids in my life on another board.
-current IM/person you’re talking to: can't do that @ work
-current jewelry: set of silver w/green stones (necklace & earrings), my claddaugh ring, and a ring with a green stone my friend gave me for my last birthday
-current book: aside from the wips of my crit partners, I'm about to start The Alphabet versus the Goddess by Leonard Shlain. Recommened by a friend @ work.
-current worry: dying alone, lol
-current favorite celebrity: Scott Speedman
-current obsession: shopping
-current love: My family and friends
-current longing: too many and too personal to mention
-current disappointment: my $#%#%
-current lyric in your head: "Seven days all have special meaning, but you just call it a week."
-current music: The Corrs "Borrowed Heaven" CD
-current favorite book: Interview with the Vampire, Anne Rice
-current favorite movie: Gladiator
-current wish: that I could teach full time and ditch the rest
-current happy thing: writing & good friends
-current undergarments: well, let's jus say it's all the same color - gray
-current desktop picture: Wentworth Miller
-current plans for tonight/weekend: Putting together new bedroom furniture
Ugh! Notice how many times I mentioned W-O-R-K?
I'm back--miss me? Apparently the spammer did. Hit me hard whilst I was away. Asking about a cure for that ailment--ick! Had a great weekend! Lots of fun, good conversation, a toddler to play with, shopping, spa and rest. Blessed rest. We're already planning her trip to Charlotte in October. She wants to skydive. I can arrange that, and said I'd *consider* doing it too. I'd have to really talk myself into it--but you only live once.
On the plane to and fro, I read Debra Dixon's Goal, Motivation & Conflict. I have to say, it made complete sense to me. A lot of it is common sense, of which sometimes I have little and need a reminder. Overall her process seems easier to understand and grasp than, for example, the First Draft in 30 Days process. For me, the FDin30D seems endless - will I EVER get to write the story??? Like FDin30D, the GMC process can be used at any stage: before you start, while you're writing and hit a snag, or in revision. I'm going to give it a go on my revisions - will let you know!
It's that time of year. The time after the most wonderful time of the year, which usually makes it the coldest possible time of year. The time of year when I hunt department stores for warm jammies and discount sweaters while considering whether my fun and funky knee-high leather boots will hold up to the snow and slush of Ohio. Yes, I'm returning to the land of my birth. The land of inedible nuts.
It's my bestest, oldest, dearest friend's birthday today (please share your groundhog jokes). I could tell you how old, but then I'd have to kill you. I'm still older
So I will be away for das weekend, Thursday to Sunday. Now that I've told the world I'll be gone, let me also say that I do have a home security system. And a big slobbery attack dog. Yeah.
For those of you who wondered and asked, my friend Charles and his cohorts at Emulsion Arts did not win a regional Emmy, although he informs me that he was by far the sharpest dressed man in the room.