Every story contains three different levels:

1.  The Plot.  This is the stuff that happens to your main character.  The stuff that’s out of his control.  For example, Dorothy experiences a tornado.  She ends up in a strange world with even stranger characters.  Harry Potter goes away to Hogwarts school and confronts a whole new magical world.  Michael Corleone embarks on a life of crime. 

2.  The Personal Line.  Here we go a little deeper.  Your main character interacts with the other people in the story, sometimes with success, and often, without.    For example, Harry Potter builds new relationships at Hogwarts.  At the same time, he confronts his pain at the loss of his parents.  Scarlett O’Hara vows to win Ashley’s heart, while pushing away those who truly love her.  Michael Corleone tries  to avenge the attack on his father and at the same time to hold his marriage together.   

3.  The Inner Transformation.  Now we’re dealing with the level of the story that goes deepest.  Your main character changes profoundly as a result of the events in the story.  For example, Dorothy is a new person, as she realizes there’s no place like home.  Scarlett realizes she’s never loved Ashley– not really.  She’s loved Rhett all along.  Michael Corleone realizes he can honor the legacy of his father, or he can honor his marriage, but not both.   When he chooses to lie to his wife, we understand the implicit tragedy in the decision he’s made. 

I would like to say that the Inner Transformation is thr most important level.  Certainly, it’s the most overlooked in my experience.  In fact however, what makes the story resonate is the way all three lines work together, play off each other, and complement each other.  At times, all three lines will intersect — these scenes will come to life.  In fact, when you write a scene, try to include all three lines. 

Writing Exercises

When you do the following exercises, you should get a perspective on the whole journey of your character.  You may not use ay of this writing in your story or your screenplay, but you will know your main character on a deeper level.  Give yourself time on these exercises.  Take one and work it for a whole week.  Rewrite, revise.  In this way, you’ll write a compelling character who rings true.

1.  Have your main character write a list of everything that happens to him in this story.  It might read like a litany of complaints, starting with something like, “You’re not going to believe what happened:…”

2.  Your main character writes from the heart about an important connection he made along the way.  Have him tell us what life was like before meeting this other character, and then, how his life has changed. 

3.  Your main character grows wiser along the way as a result of having lived this story.  What advice can he share with the rest of us? 

4.  Have your main character start a letter explaining to you (or to the reader):  “I have changed on the most profound level.  Here’s how:”