The Importance of Playing Favorites

Writers often hold themselves back from creating the very protagonist they really want to write about, because they’re worried that he or she won’t be “likable.” So here’s something that might come as a big relief: being “likable” is not the point. Instead, you want a protagonist who is relatable, who is flawed, who is vulnerable.

you, the author, need to know what the future holds for your protagonist right now in order to create the road to get her there.

Why does she believe it? • What is my protagonist’s goal in the scene? • What does my protagonist expect will happen in this scene?

That’s why the question isn’t what will happen to your protagonist now. It’s, Who is she, really, just before it happens? Because your novel is going to change her. The question is, change her from what?

None of the decisions she makes will be easy for her. In each scene, she will most likely have a real shot at getting the thing she wants, and something will happen that causes her misbelief to rear its head and prevent her from getting it.

The Beautiful, Irrefutable Logic of Cause and Effect

WHAT TO DO Go back to your overview and make a list of any potential plot point that springs out at you. I’m betting that as with Jennie’s, the vast majority of them are great, but general. Add them to your Idea List, and start a Scene Card for anything specific by filling in whatever pertinent info you’ve discovered—but, as always, don’t worry if

You’ll begin to build your blueprint based on everything you’ve unearthed in the process thus far.