How do you build a powerful Noble Quest for your character, launching him off into his Second Act Journey with enough motivation, yet enough reward waiting at the end? This section of your story is pivotal because you must have built enough Want for your character to propel him through all the obstacles and disappointments of Act 2, all the way to the Black Moment. Often, when we don’t believe in a character, if they seem “too stupid to live,” it’s because we haven’t built enough WANT. This can be solved by using the Push-Pull Technique.
I’ve heard them called MRU – Motivation, Reaction Units. This technique is more about building a solid motivation to convince us of the Reaction and can easily be added to the MRU technique.
Again, the PUSH is the push away from the hero’s (or heroine’s) current situation. It is usually something negative. Like the doctor’s appointment that informs a patient of an impending heart attack. The PULL is the glimmer of the happy ending before him, the thing that he WANTS, and the sense that it might be attainable. Like a buddy who has gotten healthy and found true love.
I showed you yesterday how MacKenzie, who’s goal is to hide out, suddenly decides that she needs to do something for the hero, too, and decides to be his protector against the media who wants to destroy him. This is her Noble Quest (because she already believes she will be safe). I build this by showing the PUSH – her past experience with the media, and the PULL – the sense that she doesn’t want to be dead weight and wants to help him. HIS noble quest is to be of some use. (Which goes to her character and what she wants overall – to make a difference in her world).
Luke’s scenes is posted below. (With my notes in the body). Note how I bring Luke from a place of annoyance with her to a begrudging respect, if not even compassion. And, keeping it in the suspense genre, I always hint at what could go wrong.
Chapter 3 Luke with SMW comments
A Checklist for the Noble Quest Chapter:
- Have you established a PUSH away from something? (Or given your character a reason to leave their current situation?)
- Have you established a PULL toward the Happy Ending? (Or given them a glimpse of their greatest dream?)
If you are writing a suspense, then it is also key to:
- Remind the reader what is at stake and what could go wrong.
- Leave the reader with a sense of disaster looming as they move into Act 2.
Monday we’ll Jump into Act 2 and the first step on their inner journey!
Have a great writing week!
Susie May
Other post you might be interested in:
http://www.mybooktherapy.com/index2.php/2011/10/03/how-do-you-build-strong-motivation-for-your-character-chapter-3-the-start-of-the-noble-quest/