Character Trouble

I'm thinking you'll get a better response over in the Basic Writing Questions area, Stark1. This one's more for other types of challenges. Hold on... we're moving!

Stark1 said:

Perhaps I should read some books that have good narration or something. So, help me out here. I have no idea how to do this.

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Well, the key to good writing is being well read. I'm thinking just reading a variety of books will give you an idea of where you want to go. Best sellers. Classics. Just start devouring them and something will click about where to start.

You have theme and you have some characters. In writing a novel, you're going to have put forth some good storytelling as well, and plot complexity doesn't always run a parallel to that good storytelling. Sometimes the simplest of tales can carry the deepest themes, so don't rely on an automatic association between story complexity and deep meaning.

Also, too much narration in a story with such a heavy emphasis on such a theme could produce a didactic nosedive into philosophy if the author isn't careful about how narration is being used. Showing the essence of humanity is kind of like defining life (we can list properties of living things that are not characteristic of non-living things, but to come up with a good definition of life is difficult, even [particularly] for biologists). On a less grand scale, highlighting aspects of human nature is what novelists do all of the time. It's called characterization. I agree with SF--read, and look for novels that have the kind of heavy theme you want to portray. But please remember that writing for publication means writing for the reader. He/she will want a damn good story.

I think you've set a good challenge for yourself, and sturdy challenges can have big payoffs. I'm rooting for that here. I will be very interested in how this comes out. Please keep us informed and keep asking questions.

And welcome to AW.

Wow. Well I'm assuming you've already identified what you feel the 'essence of humanity' is, and if your writing proves to be just as incisive then I'd imagine you've already got a good start. I agree with Ferret and Fizz, and suggest you read. I wouldn't be too concerned with narration or POV yet, but would concentrate instead on constructing a compelling story with characters of depth who will be up to the task of supporting your lofty theme. There are a wealth of books on character, plot, theme, etc. that can give you much better advice than I ever could along those lines.

Best of luck, Stark, and welcome to the Cooler.

Tread cautiously trying to write a book to portray the essence of humanity. Your goal is to portray the essence of a character or a situation. Focus on story and characters first.

The essence of humanity, huh... can you name an example book which you believe does that? If so, you could analyze that book and maybe it would give you insights into writing yours. The first one that occurred to me was Chaucer's Canterbury Tales but that would be a terrible choice, lol - it's a short story collection rather than a novel, and unfinished at that.

Stark1 said:

I just feel like the story isn't complex enough. ... Also, I'm not doing it from a single person's perspective.

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Narrow the main characters down to one or two or three, and tell the story from their perspectives. Make sure each of the main characters has a goal (related, I suppose, to whatever you see as the essence of humanity). Then do whatever you can think of to make it hard for them to achieve their goals.

Dale

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Hmmm, I'm not sure "add more characters" is the best solution when you aren't quite able to handle the ones you have so far. A lot depends on what you mean when you say "connect the dots", of course, but I've found that I simply can't write anything until I have a good feel for the characters.

Sometimes that comes as I write, naturally. Othertimes I have to work at it and make the effort to get to know those characters.

As far as Complexity, really, "complex" and "good" isn't one and the same. Many of the best stories are - at heart - very simple. The 'complexity' comes more from depth of character, shades of motivation and the hidden qualities that emerge over the course of the plot.

I'm not exactly sure what "essence of humanity" is. I think all writers struggle to understand humanity, but it's usually easier for both the writer and the reader if you focus on specific people. I'd work on developing the characters and the story will flow.

The characters do the talking. The "essence of humanity" is in why they do what they do -- it goes without saying.