Logical Action and Reactions

April is the month, we are focusing on logic. What can I say? I am one of the most illogical people you will ever meet. I have to be told when my characters actions, then their reactions don’t make sense.

Why is this you ask? Personally, I think it has to do with the wiring in my brain because I think what I write makes sense. Now, the question is can I undo this system? My answer is anything can be relearned, but it takes longer than if you had started with a clean slate.

I have learned (in most cases) to ask myself would I do this? If I would, then I ask what my reaction would be. Here is a simple example: Tommy knocked Jane into the muddy puddle. Jane started crying lifting her dirty wet skirt out of the mud. Now, this is Tommy’s action and Jane’s reaction.

To go a little farther if in my story Jane was a tomboy her reaction above would not fit the character. A tomboy would not cry she would be fighting mad. She might even attack Tommy and rub mud all over him.

Another scenario: Tommy pushes Jane onto the mucky ground, and Bobby sees him do it and rushes to her aid. Jane, the tomboy half-blinded by mud and water rises screaming, her fists swinging at Bobby. Here again this is logical for a tomboy because we know she can’t see the person coming to her aid.

Learning the logical aspects of writing is not any easier than the other elements we have to study. It’s all hard and takes time.

Thanks for joining me today.

Sandy