Looking Ahead
I'm a firm believer in looking back in order to look ahead. So, in looking back on topics over the course of this class, I find certain topics sticking out to me. I remember discussing characterization, tension, and the narrative arc/plot the most. I think I remember these three the most because they were the topics that I was most interested in. Talking about round and flat characters really helped me out. I found out that it's okay that not every character be equal in the eyes of the author or the readers. There's got to be a leading character in the story somewhere. I think I also learned the boundary between a perfect character (no flaws) and a really flawed character. You have to find the middle ground. No one is perfect in real life, so why would a character be, even in fiction, and if a character has too many flaws, you might as well give up writing them. I also learned that character flaws can play a part in the plot and move it along through the 'tragic flaw', the flaw of a character that ultimately leads to his/her downfall. Through the tragic flaw, a writer can figure out the plot and narrative arc of a story and then the flaw can also lead into tension. I also learned that not all tension comes from suspense.