Online Writing Workshops Presented by Melanie Anne Phillips (Creator of StoryWeaver & co-creator of Dramatica) How to Create Great Characters! Lesson Nine: The Eight Essential Archetypes: Reason & Emotion

Sections in Lesson Nine Introduction R & E Archetypes R & E in the Mind R & E Characters Study Exercises Writing Exercises

Introduction

In total, there are eight Archetypal characters, each illustrating a different basic attribute of the human mind.  We’ll take each one in turn, introduce it, describe the human quality it represents, and show you how to assign it to one of your characters so that it gains a structural significance in your story.

In this lesson we’ll explore two archetypal characters that represent the forces at the forefront of our own thinking.

Reason and Emotion Archetypes

Reason looks at the practical side

Emotion acts from the heart.

You’ve probably noticed we are covering the Archetypes in pairs.  That’s because each Archetype has a complimentary partner.  These other pairs, however, do not necessarily have the same diametrically opposed relationship as the Protagonist and Antagonist.

Reason and Emotion are a case in point.  They represent our qualities of Intellect and Feeling.  Sometimes these agree, as when something both makes sense and feels right.  Other times they are in differing degrees of conflict, as when something makes perfect sense but doesn’t feel quite right, or when something is very positive emotionally but is logistically counter-productive.  And, of course, they may indeed be diametrically opposed when emotion says “great,” and logic says, “no way,” or vice versa.

Conversationally, we often ask ourselves (or others), “What do you think about this?” or “How to you feel about that?”  Our answer may be, “I know this makes sense, but I just don’t like it,” or “I really want it, but it just isn’t practical.”  In essence, virtually every decision we make is based on which of these two qualities wins the tug of war.  In fact, the stronger of these forces within us may well determine whether we ultimately choose to take action or leave things as is.  In stories, Reason and Emotion reflect these qualities, and the outcome of the interchange between them may well determine whether or not the goal is achieved.

Reason and Emotion in the Mind

In the human mind, Intellect and Feeling are separate but equal.  Still, most people will favor one over the other.  Perhaps we might take pride in our ability to remain rational in the midst of turmoil.  Or, we might revel in the depth of our empathy for the plight of others.

Even though these two qualities are separate, we often use each one to evaluate the other.  We try to make sense of our feelings, seeking to understand why we feel as we do and to try and validate them by giving them a reasonable basis.  We also try to justify logistically unavoidable decisions that inherently displease us by trying to find some substitute emotional advantages in the plan – the passionate silver lining in the rational cloud.

All of these dynamics can be portrayed by the Reason and Emotion Archetypes in the Story Mind as well.  These two characters may often disagree, but may also struggle to understand one another and even to seek justifications for their counterpart’s attitudes and actions in their own terms.

When creating the Reason and Emotion characters in your story, don’t assume that Reason is the smartest character and Emotion is the most expressive.  On the contrary, assigning a character to portray the Reason function simply means that character makes decisions based on what makes the most sense when it comes to the central quest of the story.  The Emotion character makes decisions based on what makes most sense to the heart, when it comes to the story's quest.

Reason and Emotion Characters

So, the Emotion character may be quite thoughtful and considered in all other areas, while the Reason character may be rash and intellectually challenged in every situation other than the quest.

In addition, just because a character uses Reason as his or her method doesn't mean that character is any good at it.  In fact, that character might even be mentally challenged, just as the Emotion character might be superficial in his or her feelings.  The important thing is the approach each takes to decision making, not the depth of passion or rationality that each possess.

In our next lesson we'll explore two more of the eight essential Archetypes.

When you are ready for your next lesson, reply to this email and we will send you the next in the series.  Lessons are sent approximately one each week.

Study Exercises:  Reason and Emotion in Real Stories

1.  List three Reason Characters from different stories.

2.  Provide an illustration that shows how each provides the voice of reason in regard to the quest.

3.  Show other instances in which each character acts passionately in regard to issues other than the quest.

4.  List three Emotion Characters from different stories.

5.  Provide illustrations showing how each provides the passionate perspective in regard to the quest.

6.  Show other instances in which each character acts primarily through logic in regard to issues other than the quest.

Writing Exercises: Creating Reason and Emotion Characters

1.  Devise a goal for a hypothetical story.

2.  Create a Reason Archetype by stating how this character will approach the quest.

3.  Develop at least three moments in which this Reason Character acts without regard for reason in issues other than the quest.

4.  Create a scenario in which this character is extremely passionate about a logical decision regarding the quest.

Example:  "Don't you see...  If we act without thinking we'll play into their hands.  Go ahead!  Bolt out there with guns blazing and you'll get the hostages killed!"

5. Create an Emotion Archetype by stating how this character will approach the quest.

6.  Develop at least three moments in which this Emotion Character acts with cold logic in issues other than the quest.

7.  Create a scenario in which this character is extremely logical about a passionate attitude toward the quest.

Example:  "We are not automatons.  We can hide our hearts, we can pretend we don't feel, but that is just a lie we use to keep from losing control.  Sometimes, there is no solution to find.  And all the planning in the world won't find one.  That is the time to break the shackles of a rational mind, let our passions take the helm, and charge into the fray without a thought in the world, save revenge!"

Copyright 2003 Melanie Anne Phillips

Visit http://storymind.com for tips, tricks, techniques, and tools for writers

Owned and Operated by the Creator of StoryWeaver & Co-Creator of Dramatica Serving over 12,000 writers since 1997 Get the Writer's Survival Kit Bonus Package FREE with ANY Purchase! Writing Software Buyer's Guide About Our Store Shipping Information     We'll Beat ANY Price!      PLUS 30 Day Price Guarantee      90 DAY Return Policy Movie Magic Screenwriter List price: $269.95 Your price: $179.23 (Academic: $99.95) Our Bestseller! Storyweaver Step by Step Story Development Software Just $29.95 Dramatica Pro 4.0 Story Development List price: $269.95 Your price: $169.23 (Academic: $99.95) 12 hour Writing Course on DVD featuring Dramatica $19.95 Dramatica Writers DreamKit 4.0 $49.95 Hollywood Screenwriter $49.95 Power Structure Story Development Software List price: $269.00 Your price: $169.95 Power Writer List price: $159.95 Your price: $99.95   Final Draft Screenwriting Software List price: $249.00 Your price: $199.47 (Academic: $129.42) Dramatica Software Companion CD ROM $19.95 Word Menu + FREE BONUS $38.95 The Dramatica Theory 2 hour audio program $19.95 Dramatica Tips & Tricks Book $19.95 Master Storyteller: Improve your Writing Skills! $29.95 PACKAGE DEALS $59.95 & Up StoryWeaving Seminar Online Edition $100.00 The Story Mind: Structure Vs. Passion $9.95 Writing Characters of the Opposite Sex Writing with the Story Mind 1 hour audio program $9.95 Mental Relativity Book: The Psychology Behind Dramatica $19.95 2 Hour Plot Class Learn how to plot your story! $19.95 How to Make Your Movie An Interactive Film School List price: $89.95 Your price: $49.95 Mastering Dramatica Pro Online Workshop $49.95 How to Create Great Characters Online Workshop $49.95 How to Create Great Characters DVD Video $19.95 Prefer to order by Mail or Fax? Click here for information. Questions? Email customer-service@storymind.com We'll beat ANY Advertised Price! REALLY!  AND, if you see a lower price within 30 days of purchase we'll refund the difference! 90 Day Full Money-Back Guarantee! Return item within 90 days for a complete refund of your original purchase price! Get the Writer's Survival Kit & Sampler FREE with ANY Purchase! StoryWeaving Seminar Join the creator of StoryWeaver & co-creator of Dramatica for a two-day writing & story development seminar Click here for details! Visit the best writers' site on the web: Subscribe to the Storymind.com Writing Tip Newsletter!