Interrogate Your Characters
Interviewing your characters may be just the ticket to busting out of writer’s block.
This entry is based on a writing prompt entitled “Interrogate Your Characters,” listed in one of my favorite books about writer’s block. In fact, it’s called The Writer’s Block! See the Featured Resources section at the end of this post for more info on this and other helpful books on the subject.
Gleaned from two separate entries in my light blue waterlogged Mead journal on August 16, 2006, and August 25, 2006
An Interview with My Main Character
Me: So, Harvey, let’s cut to the chase. What would you like to happen to you by the end of the novel?1
Harvey: Well, I’d like to have a successful business as a bookstore owner. Maybe finish the book I’m writing and it turns out to be a big hit. I’d like to know what to do about Murphy [Harvey’s new kitten], and a nice romantic relationship never hurts.
Me: So just your basic happy ending, right?
H: Right.
Me: So, how would that differ from every other book or story that’s ever been published?
H: It wouldn’t, I guess.
Me: What do you suggest we do to make the story more intriguing to our readers? Why should they care, in other words?
H: I never really thought of it that way before. Let me see. Why should readers care? There’s not much happening to me right now. Maybe I should have some kind of crisis.
Me: Like what?
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