46. In which I wonder about writing.

I don’t suggest you read this post, it’s mostly just me taking an opportunity to think out loud. Or at least, the equivalent of thinking out loud on a blog.

I was just watching Nim’s Island, and I enjoyed it more than I thought I would.
I watch a lot of movies (see “Movies?” page) and I don’t often grow fond of a character as quickly as I did with Nim. I guess I’m a sucker for the young protagonists.
I was just thinking about how likeable this character was, when the movie reached the point where her father got shipwrecked. I assumed it would all turn out okay in the end because, well, it’s a children’s movie but I couldn’t help but wonder: how much grief can a writer put their characters through?

On those odd occassions where I’m forced to spew out a story for a school assignment, I tend to go straight to throwing obstacles in my character’s way without getting too attached. If, on the other hand, I create a character I grow to like, I make sure he or she lives happily ever after. Otherwise, I’d feel something along the lines of hurting my own child.

I guess that’s the secret to good writing, though. Create wonderful characters the reader can’t help but fall in love with, then challenge them, hurt them and if it improves the plot, kill them.

Not too long ago, award winning author Melina Marchetta came to talk at my school. She said that one of the critical things in writing was to give your character a ‘Super Want’. A goal that the character spends most of the book trying to achieve. She also said something that I’ve been hearing all through my school life: every story must have a conflict.
I’m sure you’re sitting there thinking “no duh” (or perhaps something more eloquent) and usually I would too. But at that moment, it struck me as odd that from a young age we’re all taught that conflict is critical to make something interesting. I’m not suggesting that there’s anything wrong with holding this belief because it’s been proven true time and time again.

I just find it interesting is all.