Workshop: An Introduction to Writing for Children and Young Adults
“He was like a ronin—no pride, no
morals—bullying, stealing, even killing a man for a turnip.” The Master Puppeteer by Katherine
Paterson.
In the Story of Decision the problem is
always an immediate need to make a decision between two courses of action that
are either morally right or morally wrong.
The right course may be apparent or the
character may have honest doubts. The conflict will continue right up to the Crisis
when decision can no longer be put off. When he acts upon his choice at the
climax then his action reveals his decision.
This is an especially strong pattern for the
YA market especially when tied into basic needs and urges. Whether the choices
are positive or negative it is a story of character growth and constant clash
both within the mind of the main character and in the outer situations in which
he or she must choose their path.
Take for
instance the need to belong. Someone new to a school, or to an organization
that means a lot personally, may find themselves being asked to participate in
activities or actions that make them very uncomfortable. The more choices made then become more
decisions that begin to affect every part of their life. And the murkier they
seem to become.
In The Master Puppeteer, a starving Jiro
leaves his parents to become an apprentice puppeteer in order to eat, but then
becomes entranced with the profession and strives to learn. But both the hunger
for physical nourishment and professional nourishment become more and more
confusing as he uncovers lies and deceit and then people he cares about are put
in danger. He struggles to determine what exactly is his code of honor in the
midst of corruption swirling all around him.
Action Steps:
1.
Make
a list of decisions that your character has to make for each of the basic needs
mentioned earlier.
2.
In
which one is your character the most vulnerable? Why?
3.
How
could her decision become a moral battleground for her?
Share: Why do you think your character is
most vulnerable in this basic need?
Read deep,
marcy
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