July 2006: Story Problems (cont.)

She doesn’t make the right choices, at least not up front. Sarah is so worried about losing Paige that she bosses her, insists on going to the beach where they know the DDC’s will be and even tells Paige exactly what to say when she gets the invitation. And Paige, tired of being told what to do, goes over to the DDC’s. And the story is off and running.

Do you see from that description what is most important to know before you begin writing a story, any story? First, who is the main character? Second, what is her problem? Third, what—or who—stands in the way of solving that problem? In The Double-Digit Club, and in many stories, there is an antagonist, in this case Valerie Miller, the girl who started the exclusive club. But there is often a second antagonist, not another person standing in the main character’s way, but some flaw in the main character herself that keeps her from solving the story problem easily. Sarah is her own worst enemy. By trying so hard to make sure she keeps Paige, she drives her away. And Valerie, of course, is right there waiting to catch Paige.

<<back more>>