Uploaded November 2020 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
Part three of who knows how many in my attempt to outline three book ideas using John Truby's The Anatomy of Story! This week my hubby and I were in Cyprus, and I took the time to do all of John Truby's character exercises for two different book ideas.
I'll admit, the character chapter did intimidate me. You see, I've always considered my self to be more of a plot-driven writer than a character-driven writer. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how this chapter got me thinking differently about stories. From fleshing out my characters based on the points he covered to finding their values conflict, it really helped me figure out where I went wrong in my fantasy hot mess, as well as flesh out the cast of DID mystery.
The most challenging part was attempting his four-corner opposition exercise, a. I spent days thinking about it, and I still don't think I'm done. 😅
Liked this video? Subscribe at youtube.com/channel/UCcuMeK6Go50kkc1DtGW1qwQ?sub_confirmation=1
QUESTIONS FOR THE COMMENTS:
- If you've done The Anatomy of Story, does my hero/opponent dynamic work, or does the conflict need to be more personal?
- Can you think of a strong moral argument for someone to murder someone, and then frame someone else for the crime?
TIME STAMPS:
1:39 - The character web
2:27 - My writing projects!
3:43 - Exercise 1: Build your character web
5:13 - Fantasy hot mess exercise 1
9:45 - DID Mystery exercise 1
15:23 - Exercise 2: Individulise your characters
16:13 - Fantasy hot mess exercise 2
21:02 - DID Mystery exercise 2
27:53 - Exercise 3: Creating your hero
29:26 - Fantasy hot mess exercise 3
39:48 - DID Mystery exercise 3
49:35 - Exercise 4: Four-corner opposition
51:31 - Fantasy hot mess exercise 4
56:46 - DID Mystery exercise 4
Excuse me now - I'm done. 😩
OTHER ANATOMY OF STORY VIDEOS:
- The Anatomy of Story Premise video - youtube.com/watch?v=Ongj-xLr4L8
- The Anatomy of Story Structure video - youtube.com/watch?v=F61vAtsNkrk
- The Anatomy of Story Moral Argument video - youtube.com/watch?v=Xfab1LY1OaU
OTHER RESOURCES MENTIONED:
- The Anatomy of Story by John Truby - amzn.to/32wWLaP
- Plotting playlist - youtube.com/watch?v=TsPIBG3Kir4&list=PLlUUfy9MJDuQ0UgRqD5V20e3UvU0BSPZm
- DissociaDID - youtube.com/channel/UC6kFD5xIFvWyLlytv5pTR1w
- Mulitplicity and Me - youtube.com/channel/UC8JDIEFbQejP-meo1OwI0DA
FIND ME ONLINE:
Instagram: instagram.com/jp.writes
Website: jpwrites.co
Nanowrimo: nanowrimo.org/participants/jpwrites
#anatomyofstory #writing #character
Part three of who knows how many in my attempt to outline three book ideas using John Truby's The Anatomy of Story! This week my hubby and I were in Cyprus, and I took the time to do all of John Truby's character exercises for two different book ideas.
I'll admit, the character chapter did intimidate me. You see, I've always considered my self to be more of a plot-driven writer than a character-driven writer. However, I was pleasantly surprised at how this chapter got me thinking differently about stories. From fleshing out my characters based on the points he covered to finding their values conflict, it really helped me figure out where I went wrong in my fantasy hot mess, as well as flesh out the cast of DID mystery.
The most challenging part was attempting his four-corner opposition exercise, a. I spent days thinking about it, and I still don't think I'm done. 😅
Liked this video? Subscribe at youtube.com/channel/UCcuMeK6Go50kkc1DtGW1qwQ?sub_confirmation=1
QUESTIONS FOR THE COMMENTS:
- If you've done The Anatomy of Story, does my hero/opponent dynamic work, or does the conflict need to be more personal?
- Can you think of a strong moral argument for someone to murder someone, and then frame someone else for the crime?
TIME STAMPS:
1:39 - The character web
2:27 - My writing projects!
3:43 - Exercise 1: Build your character web
5:13 - Fantasy hot mess exercise 1
9:45 - DID Mystery exercise 1
15:23 - Exercise 2: Individulise your characters
16:13 - Fantasy hot mess exercise 2
21:02 - DID Mystery exercise 2
27:53 - Exercise 3: Creating your hero
29:26 - Fantasy hot mess exercise 3
39:48 - DID Mystery exercise 3
49:35 - Exercise 4: Four-corner opposition
51:31 - Fantasy hot mess exercise 4
56:46 - DID Mystery exercise 4
Excuse me now - I'm done. 😩
OTHER ANATOMY OF STORY VIDEOS:
- The Anatomy of Story Premise video - youtube.com/watch?v=Ongj-xLr4L8
- The Anatomy of Story Structure video - youtube.com/watch?v=F61vAtsNkrk
- The Anatomy of Story Moral Argument video - youtube.com/watch?v=Xfab1LY1OaU
OTHER RESOURCES MENTIONED:
- The Anatomy of Story by John Truby - amzn.to/32wWLaP
- Plotting playlist - youtube.com/watch?v=TsPIBG3Kir4&list=PLlUUfy9MJDuQ0UgRqD5V20e3UvU0BSPZm
- DissociaDID - youtube.com/channel/UC6kFD5xIFvWyLlytv5pTR1w
- Mulitplicity and Me - youtube.com/channel/UC8JDIEFbQejP-meo1OwI0DA
FIND ME ONLINE:
Instagram: instagram.com/jp.writes
Website: jpwrites.co
Nanowrimo: nanowrimo.org/participants/jpwrites
#anatomyofstory #writing #character
