Damn Lies

I'm a bit obsessed with "before" versions of characters. Where they start. The damaged dude or dudette who shows up at the beginning of a story REALLY needing a change in their lives, and usually not knowing it.

Even when the plot kicks off, these folks often don't know what they need, and have avoided looking at it with all the creativity and vigor of a…well, of a human being.

They're an underdog, or just…stuck.

I've heard it expressed differently (though it's the same notion): the character at the beginning of a story
believes a lie about themselves or the world.

It's a lie that's holding them back, again, whether they know it or not (usually not).

It's a safe, comfortable lie, because it's what they're used to.

I believe that the strongest or most ruthless survives
I believe that money and material success is all that matters
I believe that the world is cold and ruthless and I need to screw them over before I get screwed over
I believe my life is always going to be the way it is now

That sorta thing.

And what they THINK they want is often a reflection of this belief of theirs - they often want the wrong thing. Or the right thing, for the wrong reasons.

I've probably talked about this four or five times, but I like the idea of figuring out "the lie the character believes". Seems like a useful approach to figuring out a character.

Yet another way to begin the process that eventually leads to that beautiful moment of change at the end of the story, where we can smile…maybe a bit tearfully… and say "Lookit! He figured it out!"