Happy Friday!
Week 2 of my New York University class was amazing. What a talented, focused group. I feel that I’m having a conversation with fellow writers, not as if I’m lecturing as a teacher.
The big takeaway from this class is why you need to have an outline.
Here are three reasons:
1. Overview of the flow of the action.
2. To show you where you aren’t clear.
3. To keep you on track.
Here’s the secret: Do two outlines, one from the main character’s point of view, and one from the obstacle or villains’ point of view. Using the Mythic Journey Map® will help you lay out a clear path, and having both points of view makes navigation easy.
The next part is to define the relationships between the characters. I will often use a method of divination like getting a joint horoscope for my main character and obstacle or villain or my new fun thing, a three-card tarot spread. Begin by asking mentally for a description of the relationship between any two characters, and picture their faces in your mind’s eye.
The three cards will give you an idea of the present situation, the quality of the relationship, and the future. Then you have something to work against. I love to work with contrast – find something concrete and then let my imagination transform it. When developing character relationships, try seeing the characters actually in a scene rather than as specimens in a lab.
My friend Liz shared an amazing and caring thing: a free refrigerator to help hungry people in the east village.
The Community Fridge on 12th Street and 1st Avenue located right outside S’Mac provides food for ANY neighbor in need of help. The group in charge, EastVillageNeighbors, started as an insta account geared toward giving artists a space to share their work during the worst of the covid shut down. However, as the reality of the number of residents suffering from food insecurities became evident, the group shifted gears and the fridge was set up. Sarita Ekya, co-owner of S’mac donated the fridge as well as the prime spot outside her restaurant, local artist Ethan Minsker just re-designed it and a literal army of volunteers try to keep it organized and stocked with food donated by neighbors and small business community partners including, Boris and Horton, High Vibe, and East Village Organic to name a few.
Anyone able to help can donate via Venmo@eastvillageneighbors
And as always, I’m excited to share JOS Episode and featured clip #92 here. Subscribe for free!
Here’s to your successful writing,
Professor Marilyn Horowitz
