Articles archived for April 2011

Reader Question: “Is there a way to kill off the main character early or in the middle of a story? If so, does that kill the story or can it still work?”

There are a few instances where killing off the main character at any point in the story can work, but, generally, the Hero shouldn’t die. At The Hero’s Journey Seminar, Karel Seger’s covered this with very good reasoning. He explained that when the Hero dies the viewer is confused because he or she is no longer tied to the character. When death happens to other characters we feel the emotions through the Hero but if you do funky stuff to the Hero you create a detachment that brings the reader/viewer out of the story. I add however, that while it is rare for the death of the Hero to play well in a story it can be done, if it is done well.

Life After Death

For example, if the main character continues through the story after he is dead then it can work. Paranormal stories are becoming more common. Modern readers are open to the idea that there may be an afterlife or life after death. So, a character may die and return to the story as a ghost or other ethereal being. I can think of at least one fantastic example where the character was dead all along and you didn’t know it until the end of the movie. The body may physically die and then be magically or metaphysically reanimated, such as with vampires and zombies. I remember one such biblical death that has been remembered evangelically for centuries. An immortal might experience “death” several times and survive those experiences.

But, life after death isn’t necessary paranormal either. A Hero could experience what has come to be called a “near death experience”. The body may physically die, it may even be pronounced dead, and then spontaneously revive. The science-fictional aspect of cryogenics and other stasis are states where the body would be declared clinically dead. There is no longer a measurable heartbeat or brainwave. The body’s metabolism is slowed down to such a deep “sleep” state that it no longer dreams. Yet, from this “death” the character can revive, exactly as they were before or, as poor Han Solo could attest, with one hell of a hangover.

What is significant about these deaths is that the death experience itself is profound for the character. Experiencing death, and then living in some way beyond that experience leaves a mark on the character. They often experience fundamental change. In a way, they do die because after that experience it is impossible to be exactly who they were before. If you write a scene where the main character dies it needs to have that profundity.

Another aspect of life after death that is becoming more commonly accepted as possible is the survival of the soul after the body dies. In some religions, the soul resides in the heavens after death, but in others the soul is reborn into the world of the living. In this way a character could live again after dying. It could be interesting telling a story from the point-of-view of the eternal soul. What if your character remembers living a former life?

Death, And Then Dying

Sometimes a story can open on a death scene and then flash back. It’s not a popular method because, lets face it, how much is a reader going to be willing to invest in a story if she knows that the character is going to die at the end? But flashbacks can work, especially if the opening scene leaves the death uncertain. If the character is dying when the scene flashes back then your reader is given a strong hook to find out if the character is going to live or die. Again, however, the experience must be a profound one and if that character does ultimately die at the end then you should definitely remember the points I make next.

A Heroic Death

One movie I remember did it brilliantly. The character development through the movie was profound and in the final few minutes the main character makes a heroic choice. One life, for many, but the real choice he made was his life, for his daughter’s. And that’s where it was a real and just choice and where his death made him truly a hero. It did work. But I also remember leaving the cinema at the end out of that movie feeling betrayed and heartbroken. We’re used to great stories having the traditional “happy ending”. The good guys win and go home and live to fight another day. And, technically they did, the good guys did win, but at a terrible price.

I think if most stories did this we’d go into movies with fewer expectations about how things should unfold. This movie is proof that it can be done, and done well. But while a moment like this is memorable, is it truly being fair to your reader/viewer? When we give ourselves into the hands of the writer there is a bond of trust. We open ourselves up to care about these characters. Death is a part of life, it is painful, and killing of that main character can abruptly rip us away from the story. Grief creates disconnection. And we grieve for a well written character who dies. When it’s the main character, it’s almost like we die ourselves because we’ve been seeing the world through that characters eyes. It’s their life we’ve lived while reading the story. It’s very hard to remain invested in a story when our heart has been ripped out.

Not Always A Hero

Sometimes you have to be aware that the Hero may not be who you think he is. If you kill off a character early and the story continues with someone else then that initial character was not the Hero. Beware of this trap because it’s a dangerous one. You can invest a lot of time writing the story in the point of view of one character and making such a dramatic shift to another disjoints the story. If you’ve got this happening in a draft, seriously consider if you could tell the story from the second character’s point of view from the very beginning. Examine your reasoning, why does this shift take place and is it fully justified?

My Advice On Killing The Hero

If you must do it, if the story needs to have this character die, do it well. Make the death memorable and completely justifiable. Never kill a main character carelessly. Don’t have him hit by a bus. Senseless death is waste and a reader needs to feel a sense of purpose behind such a great loss. Fiction, unlike life, has to have meaning. Every action has a motive and a purpose. Even the death of your character, any character at all, needs to mean something. But if that death is of your main character, your Hero, it must be vital, and life-altering. Weigh the loss the reader feels, the grief, and the sense of disconnection with what character’s death gives back to the reader and make sure there is a fair trade there. Sometimes the Hero does have to die, and when he does, he should be remembered for the remarkable contribution he made to through his life.

Which stories, books, or movies do you know of that killed off the main character? How did you feel when it happened?

Do you have a question about writing fiction? Ask me via email, Facebook, Twitter, or Plurk.

Writer’s block is the bane of anyone and everyone who writes. You’ll be cruising through a story, your words are flowing nicely, until suddenly you’ve hit the brakes and can’t restart the engine. Most of us try to work through the road block, endlessly searching for inspiration, but sometimes you just can’t produce anything worthwhile. Instead of cursing the writing gods or pressing the delete button, take your hands off the keyboard, take a deep breath and consider trying one of these 20 creative ways to overcome writer’s block:

1. Relaxation Techniques: Practicing relaxation techniques can be extremely effective for overcoming writer’s block. Relaxation techniques can improve concentration, boost confidence and increase blood flow to major muscles. Taking a break from your writing to do a relaxation exercise will get your blood flowing and your brain back on track.
2. Attend a Writer’s Workshop: Attending a writer’s workshop is a surefire way to inspire you and overcome writer’s block. You may not be able to attend a workshop at the onset of writer’s block, but you can take the lessons and tricks you learned that will help you rise above writer’s block.
3. Jot in a Journal: It’s a good idea to carry a journal with you whenever you’re out and not sitting in front of a computer, so you can jot down story ideas, character names, conflicts or anything that comes to mind. Then, when you’re stuck on something, you can refer to the journal for ideas or inspiration.
4. Sleep on It: You may have exhausted your brain of ideas for one day, so it might be in your best interest to sleep it off. More than likely, you’ll wake up refreshed and ready to tackle your story the next day.
5. Read Inspirational Quotes: Sometimes the only way to get inspired is to read other’s inspiring words. Try reading inspirational quotes that will rejuvenate your spirit and get you back to writing.
6. Go for a Walk or Jog: Sometimes the only way to get back on track with your writing is to get moving. Go for a walk or jog to clear your mind and take in your surroundings. You never know what observation could be applied to your story and overcome your writer’s block.
7. Do Something Mindless: When you’re experiencing writer’s block, it’s best to step away from the computer and calm your brain down. You may find it beneficial to do something mindless like watch television, a movie or read a magazine before you return to writing.
8. Switch to Another Project: When you’re experiencing writer’s block, take a breather from what you’re working on and switch to another project. That way you’re still being productive and exercising your brain, before returning to your original project.
9. Writing Exercises: When you’ve fallen into a writing slump, try a writing exercise that will help you brainstorm and keep your mind fresh. Some writing exercises provide a prompt that narrows your focus, while others are free of constraints.
10. Stream-of-Consciousness Writing: Stream-of-consciousness writing allows you to use interior monologue to put your thoughts on paper. This kind of writing is raw and often difficult to follow, but it can clear your mind of nonsense and help you get back on track.
11. Change Sceneries: Your desk and white walls will get pretty old after a while. Venture away from your normal workspace and change sceneries when you are struggling with writer’s block. Even changing rooms within your house or going to your backyard will offer enough variety to get you out of your funk.
12. Play a Game: Playing games is a nice break from the frustrations of writer’s block, but it can also help you overcome the challenges in your writing. Games of all kinds can have a positive effect on your creativity and problem-solving skills.
13. Make an Inspiration Board: An inspiration board is an effective tool for overcoming writer’s block. This board is a collection of visual ideas like newspaper clippings, magazine pictures, photographs and just about anything that can be used to inspire you when you’re in a major slump.
14. Switch Art Forms: Sometimes you’ve got to step out of your art form and into another to start fresh. When you have writer’s block, you may want to shift your efforts toward another art form, such as playing a musical instrument, painting, drawing, dancing or photography. Whatever experience you choose, it will surely boost creativity and freshen your writing.
15. Unplug the Internet: Unplugging the Internet is one solution to overcoming writer’s block. This will put a temporary end to the countless distractions that circulate the web, like Facebook, Twitter and even e-mail. Getting back to the basics is refreshing and can make a huge difference in your overall productivity.
16. Read Blogs: One way to overcome writer’s block is to read the work of others. Blogs are fun to read and they touch on so many different topics that are bound to give you an idea or two.
17. Cut out the Rules: Writing without rules is especially helpful for those who have writer’s block. This approach allows you to write without inhibitions and let the words flow without interruption. In order to practice this difficult exercise, you’ll have to ignore spelling, grammar, formatting and context rules and just write. You can always edit later.
18. Listen to Music: Music can be extremely inspirational and relaxing at the same time. Listening to the right song can spark a new idea, help you solve a problem and collect your thoughts, which may be all you need to get over a bad case of writer’s block.
19. Talk and Ask Questions: When all else fails, spark up a conversation with others to get past your writer’s block. Better yet, ask fellow writers what they think of your topic or how can you expand on a particular part of your story. You’d be surprised by the amount of great ideas that come from the people you interact with everyday.
20. Follow the News: Whether you pick up a newspaper, turn on the local news channel or read a story online, the news is filled with real, raw stories that can be incredibly inspiring. News articles are also great references for expanding your vocabulary.

This post is shared by Corinne Reidy and originally appeared here, 20 Creative Ways to Overcome Writer’s Block.

By Katheryn Rivas

Writers do not — or at least should not — work in a vacuum. Regardless of whether or not they go to college, attend workshops or network with other professionals and hopeful professionals, they still absorb something of the world at large. These experiences ultimately mold their works, even on a subconscious level; so many creative types actively seek out other perspectives in order to add texture and dimension to their portfolios. One simple means of gaining insight involves simply picking up a book, and those by or about professionals in a desired field makes for a valuable start. The following biographies and autobiographies of influential and notable writers may not even scratch the surface of available, worthwhile reads. But they do, at least, provide a nice framework from which aspirant authors can move forward, eventually picking and choosing similar pieces relevant to their interests.

1. A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway: A young, indomitable Ernest Hemingway bounds through sensuous European expatriate adventures, accompanied by his wife Hadley and little son. Anecdotes abound regarding his relationships with such literary and artistic figureheads as Gertrude Stein, Pablo Picasso, James Joyce, Hilaire Belloc and many more, granting readers an intimate peek at the creativity bubbling in 1920s Paris. One of the most memorable stories involves the famous writer accompanying F. Scott Fitzgerald on a road trip, where to two grow closer in spite of their occasional blows. Quite a hilarious series of scenes, really, in spite of the occasional bit of tragedy, courtesy of poor Zelda Fitzgerald’s pernicious mental state.

2. Ignatius Rising by Deborah George Hardy and Rene Pol Nevils: Brilliant A Confederacy of Dunces scribe John Kennedy Toole led a fascinating, yet ultimately tragic life prior to winning a posthumous Pulitzer in 1981. While the more famous of his two novels certainly stands on its own as a work of literature, fans who pick up this revealing biography can easily piece together points of commonality between fantasy and reality. Most especially when it comes to the central relationship between a flustered and smothering widow and her lofty, melodramatic, intellectual son — for those who read both, A Confederacy of Dunces occasionally reads more as an autobiography than one of the most hilarious and provocative American novels of the 20th Century.

3. Maus by Art Spiegelman: The graphic memoir has gained considerable attention within the past few years, though it extends back much further than that. Though Art Spiegelman did not create the genre, he certainly wrote and drew one of its most notable and defining works. He interviewed his father Vladek about his gut-wrenching experiences as a prisoner in Auschwitz, depicting the era as a dangerous (and famously literal and metaphorical) game of cat-and-mouse. In spite of their bonding, Spiegelman does often find himself uneasy with his father’s present attitude, making this an incredibly realistic read on complex family relations as well as a useful history. Many Holocaust literature courses feature Maus prominently on their syllabus, alongside other essential biographies, such as Elie Wiesel’s Night.

4. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi: It probably comes as little surprise that at least one of the other more mainstream and recognized graphic memoirists cites Art Spiegelman as a major influence. Thanks to the faithful, truly lovely film adaptation, many flocked to Marjane Satrapi’s highly engaging autobiography and granted it the prestige it deserves. With equal parts humor and horror, she chronicles her life as a child growing up in Iran after the Shah’s deposition. Escaping the fundamentalist Islamic regime, she receives schooling in Europe, only to find that her host countries come packaged with their own sets of prejudices and abuses as well. Through simple yet incredibly evocative drawings, Satrapi pours out her emotions, personal failings, triumphs and tragedies with an elegant honesty.

5. The Autobiography of Alice B. Toklas by Gertrude Stein: Gertrude Stein and her partner in life and business Alice B. Toklas lived a charmed expatriate existence in Paris following the First World War. Though written by the former, the popular book about their experiences actually sports the perspective of the latter, hence the title. As well-known patrons of the arts who often hosted salons and parties with the best and the brightest of the era, including T.S. Eliot, Henri Matisse and the aforementioned Ernest Hemingway, Pablo Picasso, and F. Scott Fitzgerald, her memoir overflows with stories of creativity and clashing. Of course, she also discusses her early life prior to the famous stint in Europe as well. Definitely an excellent autobiography for writers hoping to learn about the goings-on of myriad innovative and influential people.

6. A Heartbreaking Work of Staggering Genius by David Eggers: This Pulitzer finalist epitomizes (so far, anyway) the use of meta and postmodern elements in a memoir. Within a month of one another, Eggers’ parents die of different cancers, leaving him as the legal guardian of his little brother Christopher ("Toph"). What follows is a rich tale of family and self-awareness, punctuated frequently by pure fantasies, self-aware liberties, altered timelines, a frequently absent fourth wall and other narrative components. Eggers’ style mimics the way human memory compresses, decompresses, misremembers and imagines, resulting in a highly entertaining, emotional carnival ride on the cusp between fact and fiction. The "Mistakes We Knew We Were Making" addendum offers a clearer focus on how he crafted this memorable work.

7. The Diary of Anais Nin by Anais Nin: Famous for her erotic works and relationship with Henry and June Miller, Anais Nin accomplished much, much more and befriended many other influential thinkers than most probably realize. Her diaries span nine volumes and recount multiple decades’ worth of experiences and ideas. Sharp and sensual, Nin encountered a battery of writers, artists, psychologists and other intellectuals, discussing both opinions and lessons gleaned from them. The well-educated, well-read and whip-smart woman provided her own unique perspective on the concepts batted about during her lifetime; any fans hoping to place her wonderful works into a cultural and personal context should certainly pick up at least one corresponding volume.

8. The Autobiography of Mark Twain by Mark Twain: American literature aficionados consider Mark Twain (the nom de plume of Samuel Langhorn Clemens) amongst the nation’s greatest writers and satirists. He dictated a number of anecdotes and ideologies in the last few years of his life, though prior to that nearly every attempt at scratching out a complete, formal autobiography fell flat. The stories themselves come loosely affiliated with one another and come published more as a series rather than a long, lengthy, linear narrative, meaning he left in nothing but the particularly poignant or humorous bits. As with many of his celebrated novels and short stories, the settings come slathered in such rich precision they seem almost as if characters in and of themselves.

9. I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou: I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings contains some of the most poetic prose ever committed to print. No surprise, considering Maya Angelou once occupied the admirable position of Poet Laureate of the United States! In spite of her buoyant spirit, the writer’s life came fraught with racial stereotyping and bullying, sexual assault and an unexpected teen pregnancy. Yet she pulled courage from deep within her core and walked through the trials and tribulations with her head held high, coming out of the dark with a deep self-awareness many people will never achieve. Even non-writers can find something to love and appreciate about her inspiring story — though really, one should be able to say that about any on this list.

10. J.R.R. Tolkien Humphrey Carpenter: Though not an autobiography, the famous, academic, linguist and Lord of the Rings helmsman granted Humphrey Carpenter personal interviews and insights for his write-up — so much of what’s included here comes straight from the source. An intimate portrait into J.R.R. Tolkien’s life and works resulted, with the biographer piecing together how his myriad pursuits came to shape his illustrious career. His early life does not go unexplored, either, especially considering how much the death of his parents and subsequent descent into poverty impacted him. Relationships with family and friends factor greatly into the narrative as well, most especially the one he shared with equally beloved writer C.S. Lewis of The Chronicles of Narnia fame.

This post was shared by Kaitlyn Cole and originally appeared here, 10 Brilliant Biographies That Every Writer Must Read.