Today's writing theme: Character.
Once again I'm doing my shitty writing advice / tips, instead of working on my project lol
So, this is for the people with a creativity block. Do you have a vague world with vague characters and a plot, but don't know how to refine it? Or do you have Point A and Point B but don't actually know how to bridge the gap? Me too. These are just some tips and tricks I have and they might help you too.
Let's talk about our drafts.
You've probably heard this millions of times, but the first thing you need to do when you're blocked is let go of your initial ideas. You have a cool project but it feels hollow, and every idea you come up with seems crappy and boring, right? Because you're 'perfecting' it. I want to remind you that outside of storyboards and concrete organizing is subtext and play - writing is play - you've made the process a chore by grounding it too much. Let go of your original ideas and let them morph, don't bin ideas because they won't fit with your original structure - let the story morph and grow, remember, writing is fully in your control and drafts can ALWAYS be re-written, open up a separate document and try that silly improv chapter, or that alternate ending that will create 5 plot holes, just do it, PLAY with your characters, world and plot, make the process fun and a journey, stop being rigid with your planning and open yourself up to new ideas, don't hold too tightly onto one certain idea.
2. Now with that out of the way - You're struggling with your characters and scenes. It feels kind of like they have no direction or the characters feel hollow and no matter how many questionnaires you answer about their childhood trauma and favorite ice cream flavors, you still can't figure out how to structure that one scene without it being awkward and lacking something.
What you want to do is figure out your character's thematic beliefs. You can have a full character built up, but until they're forced to make a choice based on their belief system, they are only a placeholder. When you can't figure out what your character would do despite spending so much time on them - that's because you've created a concept of a person, not a storyline.
A thematic belief is a personal belief / core value which is held by a person or group of people, e.g:
'If you sin you go to hell', 'Breaking the law is always bad', 'Murder is always bad no matter the situation', 'Karma doesn't exist.'
Think about what your story's overarching theme is, now think about what your MC's and even Antagonists views are on that theme. If you have no clue, then we have located the problem.
Now don't try perfect this, it can be changed, just give your character a belief, and better, give your characters conflicting beliefs that comment on theme.
So your theme, let's say, is self-love. The story comments on the topic of self-love and hate. It seems obvious - you have two characters, one loves themselves, one hates themselves.
But don't stop there. What is your character's belief on the theme?
Some examples:
'I'm not worthy of love'
'I'm loved by everyone.'
'I can't learn to love myself.'
'I think self-love is a waste of time.'
'Self-love is earned.' etc. etc.
Reading that you may already notice you may or may not agree with some of those statements, good, that's where the story comes in. These beliefs will be challenged at some point - and when they are, your character will be forced to make choices and grow. This creates interesting scenes for your audience to read.
Little writing excercise:
I urge you to write out your story's overarching theme, and then list each character's belief system. Your character starts with their belief system. Beliefs make choices.
I then want you to list 10 ways this belief can be challenged, don't think too hard, just write. Set a timer if you need to.
Pick one of those 10 at random when you're done and write it out as a scene.
What this does is help you figure out what choices need to be made, and how your character reacts in a given circumstance, especially when their core beliefs or values are challenged. Now you can use this knowledge throughout points in your story, have fun.
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