I can watch the Ray Charles movie with Jamie Foxx on repeat.
I know all the songs, most of the lines, and one in particular makes me think about character developmental.
But first, I want to remind you about my little quest to create 30 essays in 30 days and y'all I'm already on the struggle bus. 🥴
So, until we get through the weekend I will give you what I got and sort out the rest later.
Okay?
Ooooo-ta.
Character Development
The majority of my clients are novelist. And the central issue most have when they send me a massive manuscript are their characters.
Characters are why most readers tune in.
Characters are why we care to give you our hard earned money.
Characters are the lens in which we see your world come to life.
What does this have to do with Ray Charles?
Why...are you in a rush? Give me a second. I promise I'm going somewhere.
Ray Charles...and Character Development
In the movie, Ray Charles' mother had a memorable saying, "Scratch a lie, find a thief."
And in storytelling, if you scratch a lie you'll uncover three key elements of character development:
You learn the character's perspective of live.
You learn the character's motivation
You learn the character's achilles heel.
Without motivation you have no goal.
Without a goal you have no story.