Prompt #7

Welcome to 2024, a year so high in number that it feels like the dystopian future of an 80s movie! ‘Tis the season for attempts at behavior change, emotional healing, intention setting, and Whole 30 Challenges. Today’s prompt is about character behavior and emotional arcs. It’s part brainstorm and part composition.

Pick a character to develop in this exercise. Could be from a project you’re working on or something from scratch. What does this character want to change or improve about themselves? (remember, “improvement is in the eye of the beholder.” The Joker’s idea of improvement is very different from Elizebeth Bennet's, so make sure to think through this from the character’s POV and not your own). What does the character want to do in order to achieve this change, and why?

Now, write a monologue or scene wherein this character states their intention to change, but the subtext is that they are reluctant to follow through with their plan. Why are they resisting?

Let me know if you have questions about the prompt in the comments. Note: I say “scene” which can be for TV, film or stage but you can write a prose scene or sequence if that’s your thang! Set your timer for 10 minutes and write!

Share this post to write with a friend!

I’m watching this relatable TikTok.

I’m reading Everyone’s a Girl Online, recommended by .

I’m listening to a podcast on resolution science, as one does in January.

How did it go? Let me know in the comments. Same time next week!