“Goethe had this to say on the will of Providence assisting our efforts: Whatever you think you can do or believe you can do, begin it. Action has magic, grace, and power in it.” (Julia Cameron, The Artist’s Way)
Writing Exercise: Action with Magic, Grace, and Power
This exercise draws on Goethe’s assertion (via Julia Cameron) that action—when rooted in belief and purpose—contains transformative energy. In character development, this principle translates to characters who actively pursue their desires. Even imperfect attempts to achieve their goals can reveal compelling aspects of their inner lives.
Key Writing Techniques Illustrated by the Quotation
1. Creating Proactive Characters: Characters who actively pursue goals are inherently engaging. Action—whether successful or not—reveals their motivations, vulnerabilities, and resilience.
2. Connecting Action to Internal Stakes: Actions should be charged with meaning, reflecting the character’s deeper fears, desires, or moral dilemmas.
3. Building Momentum through Conflict: Starting with a bold action creates narrative momentum, drawing readers into a compelling sequence of events.
Writing Prompt
Write a 500-word scene where a character takes a bold action to pursue something they believe they can achieve, even against the odds. Begin with the moment they commit to their choice, and let their actions cascade into a series of consequences. Focus on:
• Motivation: Why is this action so important to them?
• Tension: What internal or external forces challenge their resolve?
• Change: How does the character evolve (even slightly) by the end of the scene?
Example Scenarios:
• A college student skips their final exam to confront their estranged father at his workplace.
• A chef sabotages a rival’s dish at a high-stakes competition but grapples with guilt.
• A retiree impulsively buys a one-way ticket to a foreign country to find a long-lost love.
Evaluation Criteria
1. Clarity of Motivation: Is the character’s reasoning for their action clear and compelling? Weak responses may lack specificity or emotional resonance.
• Strong: “Allie ran the red light, her hands trembling. If she didn’t get to the courthouse before 5, she might lose custody of her son forever.”
• Weak: “Allie decided to go to the courthouse, but it wasn’t clear why it mattered so much.”
2. Conflict and Stakes: Do the consequences of the character’s action create tension? Weak responses avoid or resolve conflict too easily.
• Strong: “The guard stopped her at the door, her excuses failing. Behind him, she glimpsed the courtroom clock ticking toward 5:00.”
• Weak: “The courthouse was open, and she walked in without any problems.”
3. Character Evolution: Does the character experience a shift, however small, by the end of the scene? Weak responses leave the character static or unchanged.
• Strong: “Allie’s resolve wavered as she handed over the custody papers, but she realized she wasn’t fighting for herself anymore—she was fighting for her son’s future.”
• Weak: “She walked away from the courthouse feeling the same as when she arrived.”
Follow-Up Questions for Workshopping/Revision
1. Does the character’s motivation feel believable and relatable?
2. Are the stakes high enough to justify the character’s bold action?
3. Could the consequences of the action be more surprising or dramatic?
4. Is there a clear moment of emotional or psychological change for the character?
Recommended Reading
• Short Story: “A Good Man is Hard to Find” by Flannery O’Connor. Examine how the grandmother’s choices drive the plot, revealing her inner contradictions and leading to moments of transformation.
• Novel Excerpt: The Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (Holden Caulfield’s decision to leave Pencey). Study how Holden’s actions reflect his internal conflicts and set the story in motion.
Regards,
RAR
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