Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook (39 page)

Step 3: If he can get nothing else, what would he settle for? Write that down.

Step 4:
Work out alternate endings for the novel based on each of the above answers. How would each ending go?
Make notes.

Follow-up work:
Again thinking of the story as a whole, what outcome would be more than your protagonist possibly could hope for?

Conclusion:
Ah! The answer to that last question may open up even more possible outcomes for the story. Could it be that your protagonist (or you) has her sights set too low? Even if that dream outcome is not practical, how can that vision of greater good be incorporated into the story?

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The Larger Problem

Step 1: Thinking about the story as a whole, what is the main problem facing your protagonist?
Write that down.

Step 2: What is the bigger problem beyond that? Write down your answer.

Step 3: What is the problem that your protagonist cannot solve? Write that down, too.

Step 4: Find ways to introduce into the story the bigger problem and the problem that cannot be solved. How can that be accomplished?
Make notes.

Follow-up: What is the main problem in your protagonists second plot layer? Write it down and follow the steps above to develop a secondary theme.

Conclusion:
Every issue conceals a bigger issue. At the heart of every big issue is a dilemma that has no answer. While it may sound downbeat to introduce these elements into your story, in fact they will amplify the problem at hand. The ripples that they send outward in your readers' minds are, in essence, your novel's deepest issues or, to put it another way, its theme at work.

_________________EXERCISE

Same Problem, Other Characters

Step 1:
What is the main problem in the novel?
Write that down.

Step 2: Who else in the story besides your protagonist could have that problem? How would it manifest differently for these other characters? Write down your answers.