A writer once gave this advice for coming up with ideas: Start with one of the seven deadly sins.
The modern definition of the seven deadly sins: Pride, wrath, lust, greed, sloth, gluttony and envy.
A character overwhelmed with one of those sins makes for a good story. Also could makes for a good improv character.
I think “pride” is the easiest.
Suggestion “wood.”
I could start with “Hey, what do you think of naming this tree after me?”
Even without a who/what/where I think we’re onto something there.
I have to admit “sloth” I’m not totally sure how to use. “Envy” seems complicated. “Lust” could be dicey, but if I transmogrify that into “unrequited love” or “delusional crush” I can do something with it more easily.
But “pride” “wrath” “greed” and even “gluttony” all work pretty well in my opinion.
The seven deadly sins are an odd list. Just the “five stages of grief” they’re not.. accurate, or comprehensive. But they’re sticky — easy to remember. And they are as good a starting point as any if you want a character to have a relatable flaw.
But the point here is that internal feelings and philosophies make for good characters.
Justification: Keep It Simple
I was thinking about the writer’s advice because I’ve been thinking about “justification.”
Justification is a simple idea that gets complicated the second you think too much about it. In fact I try to not use the word too much when I’m giving notes because it just makes peoples’ eyes glaze over. I try to say “make that more grounded” or just “why is that person so mad?”
Alex Berg “Hand Thing”
The best description of “justification” is Alex Berg’s “hand thing.” The thumb is the unusual thing, you back up and describe where you’re coming from — that’s the palm, and that’s the justification. The reason, the emotion, the philosophy. And then you can make several other moves also motivated by the “palm” — these new moves are the fingers.
The best justifications are internal: feelings and philosophies. If you’re doing something because you’re insecure, you can apply that insecurity again and again.
And the sins! The sins are good justifications for comedic/foolish behavior.
You get a suggestion “spoon” and then we see someone start a scene as a chef who’se mad at everyone in his restaurant.
“Everyone in this kitchen is an idiot! A chef likes me deserves a better staff!”
And someone says “Hey, chef, why are you so mad?”
He barks back “PRIDE!”
It works!
Plugs
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This is really nice Will. It reminds me of something I was trying to figure out more for roleplaying and narrative improv (so maybe too fiddly to be super useful for this style) about sin combos - https://farmerversusfox.blog/2012/11/07/sinful-characters-g-backpost/ All the best, Alex
I'm sorry, I have no idea what Alex Berg “Hand Thing” is. I searched for it too.