How was this conflict instigated? How will it finally be resolved? What is the driving conflict? What does the main character want? How is the conflict preventing the character from getting it? How will the character try to solve this problem? Who or what is the antagonist (nature, technology, society, another person, the protagonist’s own mind, fate)? These will help you map the narrative arc, or plot, of your story (learn more about that in our related mentor text): ![]() Or you might think of them more figuratively - the earthquake could be a metaphor for the rupturing of society or a broken relationship.Īfter you have selected an image, answer the questions below to develop your conflict in more detail. Perhaps you want to take them literally - for example, your protagonist might be trying to survive a real-life earthquake. You may interpret these images however you like. It’s the obstacle that is getting in the way of your main character’s central goal or desire. The conflict, or problem, is the engine that will propel your narrative forward. You can add the image and description of your setting to your graphic organizer. What value does this setting have to your character? Is it familiar, new, strange, scary or exciting to that person? What are the sights, sounds, smells, tastes and textures characters would experience in this setting? What mood or feeling does it evoke? What planet, country, region or town is the story set in? What era, year, season or time of day does it take place? What is the cultural and political climate like at this time in this space? Or, if you like, use the setting exactly as pictured.Īfter you’ve selected a setting, in the same way you sketched out your main character, use these questions to help you further build the backdrop of your story: You might expand on it to create a vivid fictional world for your characters, or perhaps something in the photograph will inspire you to write about another real or imagined place and time. ![]() While your characters might visit several locations throughout your story, consider this the place where the majority of the action will occur.Īgain, think of the image you choose as inspiration. If you like, you can use this graphic organizer to capture your image choice and character description. For example, “Their mother is the most important person to them,” or “When my character was 5 years old they lost their home in a fire.” You don’t have to mention the fact in the story, but you should choose something that helps you round out the character’s identity or worldview. ![]() What does the protagonist want? What is that person’s main goal in the story?Ĭreate one fact that can help you define this character. What does your protagonist look like? What is the personality? What kind of clothes does she or he wear? What are the character’s likes and dislikes? Strengths and weaknesses? What is your character’s name, if she or he has one? Where does that person come from? Once you’ve selected your protagonist, write a short “character sketch” using the prompts below to get to know the person better: ![]() Instead, think about the image as a jumping-off point for your imagination. The character you create doesn’t have to look or act exactly like the one pictured, unless you want it to. This figure will be personally affected by the major conflict and will grow or change in some way because of it by the end.ĭon’t worry, you can introduce additional characters later, but for now, focus on developing your main character’s appearance, personality, motivations and back story. The main character, or protagonist, is the one who will guide readers through the story.
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