You Reap What You Sow
I strongly believe in sowing and reaping. Some people might believe in karma, some in 'what goes around, comes around.'
The basic principle here is that everything has consequences.
I just loved a recent episode of House because it was about sowing and reaping. Balance, even. The dad sacrificed everything to save his son, and being the wonderful show it is, the son lived. Not only that, but the minor characters have made some choices that are now beginning to bear fruit (and add conflict).
Consequences.
Are you making sure your characters are suffering from their bad choices? Being rewarded for their good ones? It's the little choices at the beginning of the story that should affect the rest of the book. I think these seemingly inconsequential choices should weave together and create the plot.
What do you think about sowing and reaping? Is your MC making good choices or bad ones, and how does that affect your character's moral arc?
The basic principle here is that everything has consequences.
I just loved a recent episode of House because it was about sowing and reaping. Balance, even. The dad sacrificed everything to save his son, and being the wonderful show it is, the son lived. Not only that, but the minor characters have made some choices that are now beginning to bear fruit (and add conflict).
Consequences.
Are you making sure your characters are suffering from their bad choices? Being rewarded for their good ones? It's the little choices at the beginning of the story that should affect the rest of the book. I think these seemingly inconsequential choices should weave together and create the plot.
What do you think about sowing and reaping? Is your MC making good choices or bad ones, and how does that affect your character's moral arc?
Comments
Books that don't pay the consequences to the MC are often difficult for me to keep reading. Fairyland is for fairy tales, when I read I want to see them get what's coming or at at least a good reason why they didn't. Cause I also believe in grace.
Hi Tabitha,
I'm an avid romance reader, so I'm used to most things tied up by the end of the book, but I still like their to be realistic reactions and consequences. You know?
I think you are so on the mark here. I read a story recently where the chars made some bad choices (in their own views) and in the end, they grew because of the consequences of their actions. Thing was, there was so much more going on, but these little choices had a huge impact on how they developed and learned. It carried the story so well, and made them SO human that I was invested in them from the start.
Whatever you call it - there's always a reaction for every action and any story missing that will miss the human nature element.
Great post!
I could write a bunch of stories about my personal life and the bad choices I've made and the results. Sometimes I stick my MC with the same situations and see what happens.
And then again, there are good choices that result in rewards. Choosing what my MC will receive for making good choices is always fun. I like for them to receive the unexpected!
One of my characters especially needs more accountability.
Thanks for the reminder for me and my characters.
Thanks for giving me a reason for deep introspection.
As always, a really thought-provoking post.
I love reading books that reveal the consequences, but also show how a different perspective can still get you through them with faith at your side. They may not get their ideal, but they make the most of what they do get from their mistakes.
My current MC was a good guy, big help to the MC's in Book 1. Now, they are helping him.
Blessings,
Susan :)
I read recently that we can pick our actions but we can't pick our consequences. Ouch! Every kid needs to hear that!
Good post.
But I had an epiphany the other day.
My hero can, gulp, sin.
And be made to pay for it.
But be given grace.
As a Christian hero, I think we tend to make them too "good" and try to justify their mistakes in the end. Or at least, that's what I was doing.
It's really given me a whole new angle with which to write with, and I think readers will enjoy getting "real" with the characters too.
My struggle is how to carry out the consequences when he gets home - so as to shape his character, without crushing it.
*big sigh*
T. Anne, are you saying your character is not exciting???? LOL Maybe give her a bad temper, or a temptation to flirt. That's always funny. LOL
You might have seen me in Seekerville, but this is the first time I've visited your blog. I really like it : ) You seem really nice in Seekerville, so I thought I'd stop by. I'm glad I did. I think I'll continue to drop by!
By the way, I noticed on your profile that you like to blog every other day...that's a very good goal! Lol...I find it really hard to update mine(kind of). Maybe I'll go do that now....hmmmm....
: D
Thanks!
Hannah
Hi Hannah,
I've seen you too. Isn't your pic The Color Purple? I like that book. Yeah, from what I hear a schedule is a good thing. LOL It's pressing sometimes though.
Hi Nancy! You sound a little irritated just writing about those plots! LOL
Anyway, yes schedules are very important. I totally know the importance of schedules right now. I'm a senior in high school, so schedule is my middle name! : )
Talk to you later!
Hannah