Quote:
Originally Posted by mjhudston
Thanks for the advice Neil, but I've tried that one.
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Ask what your POV character wants and then make sure they don't get it. Restate the want in a fictional sentence, a interior thought or an exterior moment of dialogue.
Say for instance you were writing a horror story about a haunted boat. A boat that means certain death for any that take it out into the water. And let's further say you've reached a point where you have your main POV character (let's make her a Detective with a fear of drowning) stood at the edge of the water as the sinister boat emerges through the early morning mists.
What does the POV character want? Lets' put it into the story.
<Michelle wants the boat>
It was the boat. The damned boat held the answer, she was sure now. She had to get hold of it somehow...some way.
<Michelle can't have the boat>
Michelle slipped off one pump then the other. The artificial pebbles that lined the shores of the lake were cold against her bare feet. She took a few hesitant steps toward the water's edge.
Her stomach clenched. Her legs wavered, turned to jelly beneath her.
Forget what happened. Forget the past. There's no chance you can drown here. You're not a kid anymore.
She swallowed hard...
Whether it be an internal struggle or something external, put an obstacle in front of the want and you'll be out of your block in no time.
