Show characters making decisions from "summary" of Self-Editing for Fiction Writers, Second Edition by Renni Browne,Dave King
Readers are drawn to characters who take action. One of the most effective ways to show characters taking action is to show them making decisions. When characters make decisions, they reveal who they are. Decisions show what characters care about and what they're willing to fight for. Decisions are the clearest way to show characters in conflict. After all, if a character can't decide between two courses of action, that character is in conflict. Showing characters making decisions also keeps your story moving. Decision-making is the heart of fiction. It's what leads to action, and action is what moves the story forward. When characters make decisions, the story gains momentum. Remember, decisions don't have to be big or dramatic to be important. Small decisions can reveal just as much about a character as big ones. In fact, it's often the small decisions that reveal the most. However, be wary of characters who don't make decisions at all. Characters who simply react to events can come across as passive and uninteresting. Readers want to see characters who take control of their own destinies. Characters who make decisions are proactive and engaging. So, when you're editing your fiction, pay close attention to how your characters make decisions. Make sure those decisions are clear and meaningful. Make sure they reveal something about your characters. And most importantly, make sure they keep your story moving forward.
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