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Expertly Portraying the Outcast Character

Taking On the Challenge

In this culture where youth, health, beauty, and fitness are rated up there almost to the level of worship, sometimes a plot will call for a misfit. Be A Novelist An outcast. An oddball, if you will. The aberrant character.

One needn’t search far to find examples throughout literature of authors handling this challenge. We think of Benjy in William Faulkner’s The Sound and the Fury, and Lenny in Steinbeck’s Of Mice and Men. Who could forget the crippled dwarf in Poe’s Hopfrog? The play by Bernard Pomerance of The Elephant Man would be another in our list. I’m sure others come to your mind.

Going in such a direction with a story line can be a challenge – but an exciting challenge. If that’s the route you’re taking, here are a few things to keep in mind.

Natural Resistance

Readers enjoy living vicariously through story characters. They like to believe they could be as smart, cleaver, brave, and good looking as those in the novel they’re reading. The novelist who creates the not-so-pretty, not-so-appealing character, in effect, produces a natural reader resistance. For who wants to be the outcast in the world? Not many.

This means the author is dealing with human emotions on the most elemental level; it calls for the highest form of craft and art.

The writer must know why this choice is necessary for this particular plot. It cannot be for a shock effect alone, for then it is not art but a gimmick. Be certain that you have a valid reason for taking this route. That reason must be strong enough to support and sustain an entire novel.

Genuinely Care

The writer must genuinely care about their aberrant character. This is not to say it will be a sappy, feel-sorry-for-you caring, but rather there but for the grace of God go I approach. This comes mainly by recognizing and accepting our own personal limitations. Heaven knows, none of us are perfect. We all have shortcomings and weaknesses.

By applying this realization to this character you’ll be able to garner the reader’s sympathy and understanding. When from the pages it’s obvious that you as the author care about this individual, it will naturally resonate with the reader. (Now that’s a home run!)

Research

The root problem with which the outcast character suffers may be physical; or it may be mental or emotional. In any case, it will almost assuredly call for a fair amount of research. Beware of sloughing off in this area. Invest the time needed to get the facts straight. Interview professionals if necessary to get the full picture.

Additionally, read a few novels (plays and short stories) that successfully showcase an outcast character. Create a list of questions to ask yourself as you read, such as:

How do I feel toward this character? Repulsed? Sympathetic? Cold? Concerned?
Was the character alive and realistic?
How was description and dialogue handled?
Were action scenes in keeping with the limitations (or lack thereof) of this aberrant character?

You get the idea. You can add more even more, I’m sure.

Physical Description

No need to go overboard with the character’s physical description – especially if this is a physical deformity. Use a light touch, and let dialogue and action paint the picture and flesh out the character. It will be the dialogue and action that allow the reader to see beneath the surface, and into the core of this character.

Good Fiction

Good fiction reaches deep inside of us and changes us. It leads us inward to our secret truths, and not outward away from them. Good fiction demands that we take ourselves seriously and ask painful questions.

The aberrant/outcast character can, if but for a few moments, astound the reader into a deeper vision and allows that reader to awaken to himself.

A clear representation of the outcast character can hit this target in a way that the most beautiful and charming character could never do. Be A Novelist

Coming Soon

The first two titles in the Norma Jean Lutz Classic Collection will be available in print form.

Flower in the Hills and Tiger Beetle at Kendallwood will soon be in bound copies.

Watch for upcoming announcements.

Be A Novelist

Writing Those Ripsnorter Action Scenes

Scenes that are Difficult to Write

Where will you find the wildest actions scenes in fiction genre? Usually in the plot-driven stories. At least, action in the sense with which we’re most familiar: bombs going off; fists flying; people wiping out the bad guys; danger lurking at every turn; and so on. The ripsnorters.

But for a novelist, action is very much present in the character-driven story line as well. Perhaps they’re not quite as dramatic and earth-shattering, but they’re there. Many beginning novelists will confess that they believe actions scenes to be the more difficult ones to write. Because this is true, it’s important for all fiction authors to:

Recognize actions scenes
Use action scenes in a deliberate, purposeful manner
Place action scenes in strategic positions
Know how to pace actions scenes

1. Recognize Actions Scenes

The first step in writing believable, effective action scenes is to recognize them. Be aware of the difference between the action scenes and the narrative, or scene sequels, which are the aftermaths and forerunners of specific action. Each is handled differently

2. Use Action Scenes in a Deliberate, Purposeful Manner

What is the purpose of action scenes? Action is generally used to channel built-up tension. Or possibly to release tension. As the plot builds, the pressure builds until there is an explosion of sorts. Readers expect such scenes to lead to something – something that will advance the plot. This is why awareness is crucial when plotting. You don’t want to disappoint the reader by setting up an action scene that fizzles out and goes nowhere.

3.Place Action Scenes in Strategic Positions

Never forget that nothing in plot construction is random. (See the previous blog post that discusses this: Creating Patterns as a Novelist Part II) As the plot architect, the plot builder, the plot designer, you are the one who decides where each action scene best fits. You decide where they will affect the most favorable reader response.

Some novels open with the ripsnorting, slam-bang scene. That technique is certainly a good hook, but it’s advisable to try two or three different openings to make sure the action scene is the best choice.

Not every scene will call for action or the whole plot will border on overkill. This is why pacing is important.

4. Know How To Pace Actions Scenes

There is a sense of immediacy in an action scene. These will be sections where lean and spare will be the rule. Cut out clutter and unnecessary repetition. Strong action verbs work well here.

This is where show don’t tell comes to the forefront. It’s so much easier to say that Constance hauled off and slapped Reginald across the face Be A Novelist than to describe the play-by-play. But stop and ask: what will the reader prefer?

Picture the entire scene in your mind’s eye first. See it happening in your vivid imagination. No need to weave in character’s inner thoughts or emotions at this point. There’s no room for prolonged thoughts. It’s not the time for Constance to think how great it felt to give Reginald a shiner. Save that for later. If a swiftly-moving scene breaks for inner dialogue, it can prove to be a frustration for your reader who wants the action to keep moving.

Once you play the scene over in your mind, now quickly write it out, describing what you saw.

Summing Up

As with any other facet of novel writing, creating believable actions scenes will get easier with practice. We novelists are on a continual journey to hone and perfect our craft — to enhance our story-writing skills. Learning how to write strategic action scenes is part of that skill level. Never stop learning.

Be A Novelist

Coming Soon

The first two titles in the Norma Jean Lutz Classic Collection will be available in print form.

Flower in the Hills and Tiger Beetle at Kendallwood will soon be in bound copies.

Watch for upcoming announcements.

Be A Novelist

Expertly Portraying the Outcast Character

Coming Soon

The first two titles in the Norma Jean Lutz Classic Collection will be available in print form.

Writing Those Ripsnorter Action Scenes

Coming Soon

The first two titles in the Norma Jean Lutz Classic Collection will be available in print form.

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