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Bell Work Do you think of yourself as an extrovert, someone who feels at ease around new people and enjoys being in groups? Or are you more of an introvert, someone who keeps to himself or herself and feels shy in large groups? Give some examples that show what kind of person you are (keep it classy!). **Don’t forget to submit your bell work to turnitin.com by the end of class!**
Character vs. Plot Driven Stories Some authors have pre-conceived plots that drive their stories. • Mystery, sci-fi, etc. • Often creates shallow characters Some authors create characters and ‘observe’ them when placed in situations.
Character Cycle Rules • Form groups of 4 & sit by each other – each person needs pen/paper • Each person will create a character to start - write for 3 minutes on a specific aspect of a character, rotating to the next person. • 4 total characters will be created • When finished, students will create a story based on how characters would ‘reasonably act’ in a situation you create
Character Cycle Part I: Background Each group member will write for 3 minutes on any or all of the following: • Name • Family history • Emotional Background (what has happened to make your character the person s/he is today?) • Relationship history • School or work history • Any other relevant background you think of **Do NOT write about physical description!**
Character Cycle Part II: Physical Description • Show, don’t Tell your Character by describing their physical traits. • IMPORTANT: You must give away hints/a view of your character’s PERSONALITY through the physical description. • You may include: • Concrete, sensory description of their appearance • Concrete, sensory description of their actions • Dialogue that shows the character in action
Excerpt from Middlesex by Jeffrey Eugenides “At 21, long before ill-fitting dentures and self-imposed invalidism, my grandmother was something of a beauty. She wore her black hair in long braids pinned up under her kerchief. These braids were not delicate like a little girl’s but heavy and womanly, possessing a natural power, like a beaver’s tail. Years, seasons, and various weather had gone into the braids; and when she undid them at night, they fell to her waist. At present, black silk ribbons were tied around the braids, too, making them even more imposing, if you got to see them, which few people did. What was on view for general consumption was Desdemona’s face: her large, sorrowful eyes, her pale, candlelit complexion…”
Character Cycle Part III: Motivations • Real characters have lots of real motivations, some positive, some negative. • It’s been said that humans have 2 reasons for making decisions: to seek pleasure or avoid pain. • Write for 3 minutes on any of the following: • Wants, desires • Needs • Hopes, dreams • fears, hatreds, loves, etc.
Character Cycle Part IV: Conflicts • Based on Parts 1-3, brainstorm potential conflicts this character might face: • Internal: What factors from the character’s personality, background, motivations, etc. might get in the way of the character achieving his/her goals? • External: What other characters might get in the way of the character achieving goals? What factors in the environment? What outside forces?
LAST PART: Create a story! • Share your characters with the other members of your group to create a story: • Choose 1 or 2 characters to be the main focus. • Create a situation to put your characters in. • Develop a story based on how the characters might reasonably act. • Note: “Reasonably act” means no insane killers, no inexplicable, irrational actions, no hokey ‘24 hours to fall in love’ type scenarios; they should be realistic. • Your group will submit this story to me – 1 typed copy by the end of class! Remember: Desire + Danger = Drama
Homework • Read chapter 8 and complete the 3 square notes Due Tuesday!
