What’s The Mood For Tuesday

How to write a character-driven plot

The Character-Driven Plot Wheel

1. Emotions drive actions.

Make your hero act on their deepfelt emotions. This not only adds meaning to their actions, but also helps communicate to readers your hero’s core emotional struggle.

2. Actions trigger consequences.

When your hero acts, give their actions consequences that affect the plot, themselves, and/or the surrounding characters. For example, driven by curiosity, maybe your hero opens Pandora’s box; maybe they act recklessly and someone dies; or maybe they stand up for what they believe in, but at great personal cost. Consequences raise the stakes and empower your hero with agency.

3. Consequences compel change.

Use the consequences of your hero’s actions to create a crucible of growth — challenges and situations that force them to take the next step on their character journey. That step may be forward, or backward, and it may be large or small; but something inside them changes.

4. Change influences emotions.

When a character goes through a change, even a small one, allow it to affect them emotionally. Maybe they feel increasingly frustrated or guilty. Maybe they’re afraid, having just taken another step closer to abandoning their old way of seeing the world. Or maybe they finally feel peace.

Regardless of the form it takes, remember to reflect your hero’s change in their emotions. Then let their emotions drive action, to trigger consequences, which will compel further change.

Lather. Rinse. Repeat.

And there you have it! That’s how you write a character-driven plot.

So what do you say?

Give the wheel a spin.

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Your stories are worth telling. For tips on how to craft meaning, build character-driven plots, and grow as a writer, follow my blog.

Sydnee Recommends: FANTASY BOOKS

Young Adult

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo (are you shocked?)

ragtag group of misfits

an impossible heist

bi, pan, gay, poc, and disabled mains (amazing)

its literally the breakfast club meets ocean’s eleven

An Ember in the Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

ancient rome inspired

gladiator trials

a rebellious slave girl

an ancient evil spirit

This Savage Song by Victoria Scwab

actual monsters vs humans

warring families

beautiful writing

no romance

Adult (ish)

A Darker Shade of Magic by VE Schwab

blood magic

parallel londons

pirates

literally no one is hetero

Mistborn by Brandon Sanderson

what if the dark lord won?

alchemy magic

group of misfits perform a heist (sound familiar)

Graphic Novels

Rat Queens 

elven mage, dwarf warrior,  atheist cleric, and halfling theif fight monsters

queer

the sass

its great

Outfits for the Ladies of Bustier’s Class! Please don’t ask for the boys….

These are just too good

i made a quiz 🕊️🏺🏛️ what tragic character from ancient greek literature are you?

zuko, candid cam

I’ve been really happy that AtLA has finally dropped on Netflix USA - I know a lot of people haven’t seen it before, and I’ve been watching it virtually with some friends who haven’t either. I hope yall can enjoy it! Please see if you haven’t already!

Apart from some episodes from season 1, I’ve only seen it once while it was airing on tv the first time all those years ago, but it had such an impact on my life! And on our culture and western animation especially. I’m pursuing animation now, actually :D For this one I really wanted to practice with acting and facial expressions, and I feel like I’ve learned a lot. I hope you like it ;u;

I feel like I only ever draw fan art of Zuko lol…

Used: Clip Studio Paint, Wacom intuos pro.

oh! another exam season mood board