tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post2252693335278971467..comments2023-10-30T08:00:54.059-04:00Comments on Laurel's Leaves: How does real change happen?Laurel Garverhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comBlogger16125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-12807480247793935842011-03-11T10:59:23.522-05:002011-03-11T10:59:23.522-05:00Abby: Your point is a good one--something I'll...Abby: Your point is a good one--something I'll likely blog on in the future. Reaching a place of insight should happen slowly, over most of the course of a book.<br /><br />Leigh: When I haven't seen that final step, I generally doubt the character has really learned anything by going through the story trials.<br /><br />Victoria: Yes, sometimes the outer journey realizations come early and fuel action. Inner journey realizations almost always come late, as a result of the story actions. That's a helpful distinction.<br /><br />Tess: Rosen definitely made a lot of sense to me. Those new experiences after an insight really cement character change for your reader. <br /><br />Nicole: I agree. It's one of the most exciting things to mold in a story.Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-34778402046343011492011-03-11T10:50:20.015-05:002011-03-11T10:50:20.015-05:00Jamie: Glad it's helpful. Remember that insigh...Jamie: Glad it's helpful. Remember that insights that don't sink in the first time (the character doesn't yet change) can build to the point that the character does eventually "get it."<br /><br />Elle: Indeed. While this post addresses turning points--moving from insight to action, I know a lot could (and should) be said about realistic ups and downs leading to a turning point. A good idea for a future post.<br /><br />Talli: So much can depend on the ups and downs that precede the turning point, right? <br /><br />Janet: My thinking is shaped here by some of the things Tolkein and Lewis have written about why fantasy stories are important.Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-44030356943697591542011-03-11T10:40:01.038-05:002011-03-11T10:40:01.038-05:00Rosyln: I think if we can write experience well, o...Rosyln: I think if we can write experience well, our reader will identify so closely, she will begin to change as the narrator does.<br /><br />Melissa: It can be helpful to think of change as walking in another direction--that's what the word "repent" means at root. Think of Scrooge realizing he was hard hearted and tight fisted and taking steps to be generous instead.<br /><br />Laura: Once you see the Rosen's idea about experience changing more than just ideas, you'll find it everywhere. It's a golden truth of human nature.<br /><br />Lisa: One could easily show an epiphany too, but I agree that behavior change afterwards has more impact than, say, and author telling us the character "understood everything now."Laurel Garverhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03657218435228802535noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-15549730346627775592011-03-11T07:47:52.197-05:002011-03-11T07:47:52.197-05:00Making characters walk their walk is an exciting c...Making characters walk their walk is an exciting challenge. Great post!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01899768909313326172noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-87320557290135449782011-03-11T00:06:04.538-05:002011-03-11T00:06:04.538-05:00I had to give it some thought, but I do think I di...I had to give it some thought, but I do think I did this in my novel (thank heavens because it makes so much sense here!). Good things to think about here.Tesshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10014195715998913268noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-30524695977712801992011-03-10T20:58:47.341-05:002011-03-10T20:58:47.341-05:00I've seen some writers stretch this to realiza...I've seen some writers stretch this to realization, promise, failure, re-dedication and success. Course, that could then be the whole book. LOL Doesn't have to be, though.Victoria Dixonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14012092208934951963noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-59591722514090343792011-03-10T20:10:16.060-05:002011-03-10T20:10:16.060-05:00I do think this is an important step for stories--...I do think this is an important step for stories--the implementation of what's been learned. Whether it's a few chapters or just a few pages, it does make an impact. Thanks, girl! :o)LTMhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05239077455322030275noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-59539756371411663812011-03-10T17:45:54.908-05:002011-03-10T17:45:54.908-05:00Yes, the change has to go about gradually too, I t...Yes, the change has to go about gradually too, I think. Or else it runs the risk of not being believable to the reader. Great post!Abby Minardhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11963640263845561309noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-8403840425977220002011-03-10T14:22:48.005-05:002011-03-10T14:22:48.005-05:00I love your line . . . "fiction has a role to...I love your line . . . "fiction has a role to play in being a healing force in society"<br /><br />I'd never thought about it that way, but I fully agree!Janet Johnsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/12688012956157161889noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-9980142472568742162011-03-10T13:51:51.316-05:002011-03-10T13:51:51.316-05:00Good Will Hunting is a great example. I'm with...Good Will Hunting is a great example. I'm with Elle - believable change is so difficult to write!Talli Rolandhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04780882465745107715noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-51474458771638967152011-03-10T13:12:01.938-05:002011-03-10T13:12:01.938-05:00Believable change can be tricky to pull off in fic...Believable change can be tricky to pull off in fiction. Great post!Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09687047513163296827noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-39697921695540341732011-03-10T11:37:14.870-05:002011-03-10T11:37:14.870-05:00Thank you for this post! I'll keep this in mi...Thank you for this post! I'll keep this in mind as I work through my revisions.<br /><br />Hope you're having a fantastic week! :)Lunahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08284738955789123035noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-6229408761656617152011-03-10T11:17:22.101-05:002011-03-10T11:17:22.101-05:00I think that goes to the whole showing not telling...I think that goes to the whole showing not telling aspect of writing also. Showing the change slowly through behavior is important. The internal dialogue still exists, but you have evidence to back it up! Great post.Lisa Gail Greenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03648323153868702165noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-24587803502931686952011-03-10T11:12:42.328-05:002011-03-10T11:12:42.328-05:00So true! Any story that I absolutely love has the ...So true! Any story that I absolutely love has the concept into play. Books I've loved recently? The Marbury Lens, Chains by laurie Halse Anderson - actually any of her books, Ally Carter, Barrie Summy, Kate messner - they all use this concept to perfection for an emotional story.Laura Paulinghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06503090226508079501noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-79638559669691481342011-03-10T10:57:30.329-05:002011-03-10T10:57:30.329-05:00Great post that has me thinking about change and h...Great post that has me thinking about change and how to show it. It was actually a bit of an epiphany because I write character driven novels which rely on this 'change' and it has me thinking maybe my manuscript doesn't prove that change enough. Hmm. The wheels are turning. Thanks Laurel! <br />Also, was trying to think of a book, but came up with a film. I think there are a lot of people who noticably change in Good Will Hunting in really profound ways.Melissa Sarnohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11215683401795724259noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4263988256560129564.post-58152629039979813052011-03-10T10:36:02.625-05:002011-03-10T10:36:02.625-05:00The difference between the theoretical and the exp...The difference between the theoretical and the experiential.There are many profound insights which have come from the former because some people are just insightful.Some people are so energy sensitive they can feel an experience even if they do not have it themselves.Roslyn Rosshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15700960108357035957noreply@blogger.com