What is your story about?

Without prejudice by an overbearing author, the belief systems of your characters are the foundation for your story. Without beliefs, even in flux, one doesn’t have a story with any merit. So why would a conservative read about a liberal or why would a Buddhist read about a Catholic? We are all people and our personal struggles speak to our humanity. The reader begins to feel for or become attached to the character.

I watched the finale of Bachelor in Paradise with my two sisters. One is a very conservative Catholic. For the first time on ABC’s hit show, a lesbian couple was presented. My sis, said something like she didn’t have much of a problem with Demi and Christian, she just wouldn’t like to watch two guys. As the show progressed, she said that it was obvious they loved each other. Isn’t that at the core of many belief systems? Love. My sis empathized, relaxed, and enjoyed the show.

In novels, there must be arcs for our main characters. For my sis it was a tiny one. For your characters, they must experience internal and external change in dramatic ways.

For many who write romance, they have put their feet on the love brakes. Yes, the hero and heroine are physically attracted to each other (usually) and yes they often can’t stand each other. (Cute meets always make me smile. Know any Dems and Pubs like that?* But they find themselves on journeys, often together. They grow, they change, they fall in love.

RWASD Seminar notes by Nikoo & Jim McGoldrick: Consider the creating the three act play using:

1.       The hero’s journey.

2.       The rule of three.

3.       Storyboarding.

Perhaps, you like me, are unfamiliar with the rule of three:

1.       Introduce the problem.

2.       Raise the stakes.

3.       Make a commitment.

Food for thought, right?

Shameless self-promotion. If you are interested in seeing the Dem and Pub running against each other for president fall in love check out my award-winning novel, A More Perfect Union. The link for which, is on the side panel of the blog. And while I’m at it, visit my new website in progress, also linked on the side. There, true love presides.