I was going to do a Character Deep Dive yesterday, for you to read today. However it wasn't meant to be, because while I was making my analysis, my house alarm went off because some decided to try to break in. So enthusiastically that my shutters were shattered and I had to run to get a technician to fix them before sundown so that I wouldn't be home invaded overnight.
Definitely not what I had planned for my day.
The horrid situation of criminality and safety in Greece aside (cops literally say they can't protect civilians anymore) curveballs that mess up plans are part and parcel of daily life.
So, it's absolutely possible to have such curveballs occur in your plot. Unforeseen events that have nothing to do with the main characters' plans, goals, or general course through life can be an excellent way for them to show their mettle. How do they handle sudden problems that completely interfere with what they've been doing? Especially if the stakes are high?
Do they throw a fit and wait for someone else to fix it?
Do they help others not panic and handle the thing?
Do they do nothing and wait for others to do something?
How do they behave while handling/dealing with the thing? Are they terrible godzillas or are they supportive and the point of reference for everyone else involved?
Beyond serving as a way to show your characters' personality, it's also a great way to add a B plot to your A plot, assuming you want to use the curveball in more ways than one (recommended). Something sudden that occurs can add another problem/issue that needs solving or resolving.
Do you throw curveballs at your characters and plot?
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When Things Happen
Tantz_Aerine at 12:00AM, June 22, 2024
5 likes!
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PaulEberhardt at 2:19PM, June 23, 2024
Oh dear! Let's hope THEY've learned their lesson. I'm glad nothing happened to you. Shutters can be replaced. Yes, how do characters handle this situation? I think this is not just an opportunity for the readers to get to know them better, but also for the author.
Tantz_Aerine at 3:18PM, June 22, 2024
Thank you so much for the amazing kindness, everyone. We're unable to feel actually safe, but we're doing the best possible to make ourselves as safe as it's going to be. It's extremely fortunate it was a thwarted attempt rather than a successful one! @dragonsong12: You honor me! HOnestly, turning negative things that happen to me into something useful is my defense mechanism. @J_Scarbrough: nope, whatever American cops do re: uselessness, Greek cops say 'hold my beer'.
JCorrachComics at 10:52AM, June 22, 2024
I'm glad thats all that happened but that's still so unsettling. I hope you've got people to come by and help you feel safe in your home again <:(
dragonsong12 at 8:55AM, June 22, 2024
Jeeze! This is the dedication you have. Having to deal with a home invasion and turning that into a learning experience for artists. I don't know how you do it, you're an inspiration!
J_Scarbrough at 8:39AM, June 22, 2024
At least you're safe, and that's the important thing, but otherwise, wow, and I thought American cops were useles. . . .
plymayer at 3:14AM, June 22, 2024
Glad it was just the shudders and everyone is okay.
usedbooks at 3:12AM, June 22, 2024
I went through a burglary, and my sister has had her home broken twice in two different countries. After the burglary, my mental state never fully recovered. Thankfully, I have a reactive and fearless dog now that is very good at scaring people despite being on the smaller side and *usually* extremely friendly to people. No one can sneak up on my house now.
usedbooks at 3:05AM, June 22, 2024
I think the only non-character-driven thing in my story so far was a blizzard. Growing up in the mountains, blizzards were the thing that flipped our life plans. They were a welcome bit of chaos because usually it was just a force stop to keep us indoors. Not destructive, not typically dangerous, and only lasted a few days. Of course, other weather events are far nastier. And in real life, so much can go bad like fires, and burglaries, accidental injuries, epidemics. I haven't included any in my stories. Just the blizzard for my own nostalgia. However, it wasn't as mundane for all my characters since some are vulnerable to the elements. They supported each other.
marcorossi at 1:43AM, June 22, 2024
I had two break ins in my apartament in my life, but luckily I was never present and they didn't steal much. On the general idea of curveballs, it is better to have that stuff at the beginning of a story IMHO because if it happens at the end it will look forced
InkyMoondrop at 12:28AM, June 22, 2024
That sounds awful! Stay safe (realistically speaking) and I hope things will quiet down there for you. My main character reacts to different things in different ways, + it depends on where she is in life. At first, being a slacker, she tries to keep things chill and roll with everything, so basically she's in denial, but it makes sense and her approach isn't as bad as it looks. Only, the more involved she becomes in the drama and the more curveballs she receives, she realizes that she needs to up her game so everyone doesn't just pull one over her whenever they please. Only, this creates other troubles for her, such as anxiety, becoming overly critical of herself, lashing out at others, etc. Ironically, when she couldn't give a damn about her career, she always got a free pass at work, but when she does her best to actually act responsibly, she gets the short end of the stick, over and over again.
kawaiidaigakusei at 12:16AM, June 22, 2024
Sorry about your shutters, hope you get lots of rest and peace of mind after getting the repairs.