Is It Essential to Have a Penalty for Every Action Taken?
=================================================================================
Every action in a story has a consequence, whether large or small, according to a renowned author. To create a dynamic and engaging narrative, it's essential to focus on the interactions between characters' desires, obstacles, chosen actions, and the natural reactions that follow. This dynamic interplay generates momentum and shapes the narrative progression.
The Five Steps of Behavior, as described by Robert McKee, provide a practical framework for ensuring that characters' actions and reactions are organic, motivated, and consequential.
- Clarify what a character wants (Desire): Define the character's goal, whether conscious or subconscious, to establish clear motivation.
- Introduce antagonism or obstacles (Sense of Antagonism): Present internal or external forces blocking the character's desire, creating conflict.
- Show the character’s decision-making (Choice of Action): Have the character select a tactic or action to overcome the antagonism.
- Depict the action and the immediate reaction (Action/Reaction): The character's action prompts consequences—responses by other characters or events—that influence subsequent choices.
- Use dialogue and behavior to reflect intentions and responses: Dialogue should express and reinforce these actions and reactions, revealing subtext and emotional stakes.
By using strong, active verbs and allowing character motivations and interactions to shape the plot naturally, the narrative drive is strengthened, avoiding passive voice and rigid agendas. Beginning scenes or stories in the middle of action or conflict can immediately engage readers with characters' choices and reactions that raise questions and tension.
The author emphasises that this chain of cause and effect can continue and potentially carry on into another chapter. In their work in progress, the author is currently using action-reaction to move each scene forward. For example, a simple action like pulling a sweater tighter can draw unwanted attention, leading to a series of consequences that shape the narrative.
Even the smallest decisions in a story can have significant effects, such as meeting the right or wrong person. The consequence of this action could lead to love, hate, life, or death. Turning left instead of right can result in an accident or a chance meeting. The author compares this chain of events to a row of dominos falling into place.
By constructing clear chains of cause and effect through characters' decisions and their reactions, you create compelling momentum that propels your story organically.
In the realm of home-and-garden, rearranging furniture (an action) can lead to a sense of satisfaction (a reaction), creating a restful lifestyle (a consequence). The newly designed space (a reaction) allows for a more relaxing atmosphere, fostering a comfortable home (a consequence).
Transforming a small vegetable patch (an action) into a flourishing garden (a reaction) can enhance a healthier lifestyle (a consequence). Small, homegrown vegetables (a reaction) can provide nutritious meals (a consequence), promoting overall well-being and a deeper connection with nature (another consequence).
