Hello everyone,
I hope you are in good health. And this is my post.
“OK!!! Explain it to me like I am five.” By this point I was a little frustrated by the Idea suggested to me.
“It's simple. You take two characters put them in one place have them discuss something and that's it. No backstory needed, No plot needed, just character interacting. Hell!!! It doesn't matter if there is a goal to the discussion. It's just a scene, not a story.” She replied patiently.
“I mean... Its not difficult but it is neither that easy. Alright, Let’s say I managed to put these characters together.” I tried entertaining the idea. “What will they talk about, that will keep the audience engaged? Without the hook, the reader will simply glance over and move on with his or her life.”
“Oh!! oh!! oh!! Hello!!! You haven’t written a single story or post for half a year. And you are worried about the audience engagement.” She replied. I smelled a hint of frustration in her voice.
“Touche.!!! I can certainly try it.” I agreed to her advice. “Now, what’s next?”
“Next, you sit and start writing.” She replied.
“Hmm... so what should be a setup of the scene.?” I asked. Only to see her facepalm.
“Why do you want to know about the setup? It can be anywhere, It can be the beach, a bus, or a bed. The goal is not to focus on the environment. But to focus on the interaction between the characters. Where, When, and how don’t matter. They could be having a conversation about why skydiving with parachutes for all I care. Just start writing again and the story will find its way.” Another attempt was made by her.
“Okay, I think I understand it now,” I replied.
“And I... doubt that.” She is still not convinced.
“Alright, Let me walk you through my plan. I will take two characters and I will put them in a restaurant and will have them interact with each other. And then the waiter will come in and they will order from the menu..”
“And I will poison them...” she cut me off mid-plan.
What's the problem here, I asked with me hand gesture.
“What the hell Man!!! Keep it simple. Characters interacting with each other that is it. No waiter, No ordering food. And what's it with you and the food. Almost every story of your has a dinner scene.”
“So just the character, sitting on the restaurant and chit-chatting?” I still am worried about how this will play out.
“Almost, Fact remove the restaurant.” She encouraged me further into this madness.
“So just the characters sitting.. where???” I asked still a little stuck.
“Ok!!!” She sighed. “I will tell you where exactly are they. They are in the middle of a conversation. Sitting or standing don't matter”
“Hey!!! I am not sure if this is going to work.”
“Just picture something cool in your head and describe it. Don't even worry about how the characters might have gotten into that situation, the purpose of the exercise is just to describe what's going on.”
“OK!!! Explain me like I am five.” By this point I was a little frustrated by the Idea suggested to me.
“Its simple. You take two characters put them in one place have them discuss something and thats it. No backstory needed, No plot needed, just character interacting. Hell!!! It doesnt matter if there is goal to the discussion. Its just a scene not a story.” She replied patiently.
“I mean... Its not difficult but it is neither that easy. Alright, Let’s say I managed to put these characters together.” I tried entertaining the idea. “What will they talk about, that will keep the audience engaged? Without the hook, the reader will simply glance over and move on with his or her life.”
“Oh!! oh!! oh!! Hello!!! You haven’t written a single story or post for half a year. And you are worried about the audience engagement.” She replied. I smelled a hint of frustration in her voice.
“Touche.!!! I can certainly try it.” I agreed to her advice. “Now, what’s next?”
“Next, you sit and start writing.” She replied.
“Hmm... so what should be setup of the scene.?” I asked. Only to see her facepalm.
“Why do you want to know about the setup. It can be anywhere, It can be beach, bus, a bed. The goal is not to focus on the environment. But to focus on the interaction between the characters. Where, When, how doesn’t matter. They could be having a conversation about skydiving without parachutes, for all I care. Just start writing again and the story will find its way.” Another attempt was made by her.
“Okay, I think I understand it now.” I replied.
“And I... doubt that.” She is still not convineced.
“Alright, Let me walk you through my plan. I will take two characters and I will put them in a restuarant and will have them interact with each other. And then the waiter will come in and they will order from menu..”
“And I will poison them...” she cut me off mid-plan.
What's the problem here, I asked with me hand gesture.
“What the hell Man!!! Keep it simple. Characters interacting with each other that is it. No waiter, No ordering food. And what's it with you and the food? Almost every story of yours has a dinner scene.”
“So just the character, sitting in the restaurant and chit-chatting?” I still am worried about how this will play out.
“Almost, in fact remove the restaurant.” She encouraged me further into this madness.
“So just the characters sitting.. where???” I asked still little stuck.
“Ok!!!” She sighed. “I will tell you where exactly are they. They are in middle of a conversation. Sitting or standing dont matter”
“Hey!!! I am not sure if this is going to work.”
“Just picture something cool in your head and describe it. Don't even worry about how the characters might have gotten into that situation, the purpose of the exercise is just to describe what's going on.”
This is inuke. And this is another attempt to write and entertain you.
I am a proud member of IU and BeAwesome community.
Also special thanks @ryivhnn san. She is inspiration behind the 'she' in this post.