Melanie started out with having us draw a picture of our character.
Then give the character what he or she wants.
We actually drew pictures.
Then we hurt our character and drew why we did it. Then discussed
the feelings that came after.
All of this was to make sure we gave our character a big enough goal
or conflict that changed them. And basically rip the rug out from under them,
but with a good reason. So she talked about how to engage the reader in the
character's plight. The reader will employ empathy while they're reading.
Painting a sad picture first and then giving them something happy
releases the dopamine. Happiness after the pain registers strongly with the
reader as though they're experiencing it.
Small hurts are bumps, bruises, etc. or inconveniences. Bigger hurts
will move the story along but they don't change the arc of the novel. Transformational
hurts make profound changes to the character permanently and change the story. i.e.
A football player is so injured that he can't ever play ever again. He's
paralyzed.
A guy's hand is cut off by the queen and he can't do his occupation
anymore. She begins to regret her actions and changes. He changes as well and
grows into the person he now is. (by the end of the story.) There are multiple
types of hurt to employ in your story. Physical, emotional and sense of
justice.
In every culture there is a sense of fair and what is not; and a
deep sense of justice arises. Small can be name calling and that equals
emotional hurt. Bigger level might be a break up. Also emotional hurt, but
bigger. Transformational emotional hurt might be a divorce.
Physical transformation is loss of limb, cancer, brain injury. Complications
have to MATTER
Does the reader want to get riled up with a sense of injustice? Is
this a good way to engage the reader? Give characters something to love, relatable
goals, and a powerful want
I think if you take the reader on the journey, then yes, have them
care about the injustice and want it remedied. I think injustice is a great
one. Like Scrooge brushing off Tiny Tim
I would write it so differently if I'm trying to build up a sense of
injustice in the reader, than if I'm trying to engender sympathy from the
reader.
