Month: February 2025

Welcome back to The Pencil’s Edge! Today, we explore an essential yet often overlooked aspect of storytelling: the POV Goal Internal. This story element ties directly to a character’s personal struggles or weaknesses, shaping their decisions and adding depth to their journey.

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Why Is the POV Goal Internal Important?

A character’s internal goal is rooted in their weakness or flaw—something that holds them back from fully achieving their external goal. The internal goal defines the character’s personal growth arc and provides readers with an emotional connection to the protagonist. Without an internal goal, characters can feel flat and uninspiring.

When executed well, the internal goal:

• Drives character transformation
• Creates emotional stakes
• Makes the protagonist more relatable
• Enhances tension and conflict

Readers expect the protagonist to change based on their internal struggles. Without this change, the character arc can feel incomplete.

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Using the POV Goal Internal in Fictionary

Fictionary’s Story Map helps track the internal goal across scenes. Here’s how to use it:

1. Identify the Character’s Weakness
   • The protagonist’s weakness should be evident by 15% into the story.
   • If the weakness is absent, enter No IG in the POV Goal Internal element and note it for revision.
2. Look for the Inciting Incident
   • The protagonist’s weakness is often highlighted when their ordinary world is disrupted.
   • If your client has shown the weakness in action before the inciting incident, that’s a strong storytelling choice.
3. Track the Internal Goal Throughout the Story
   • The internal goal should appear consistently throughout the novel, influencing decisions and conflicts.
   • Select Scene Name, POV Character, and POV Goal Internal in the Story Map to see where the internal goal is first introduced and whether it continues.
4. Analyze Character Growth
   • If there’s no significant change in the internal goal by the end, the arc may be underdeveloped.
   • If the character’s internal goal is closed off—positively or negatively—congratulate the writer!

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When to Give Feedback on Internal Goals

Watch for these common issues when reviewing a manuscript:

1. No Internal Goal Present

• If the protagonist lacks an internal goal, their character arc may feel underdeveloped.
• Action: Enter No IG in the element and recommend adding an internal struggle.

2. Unclear or Weak Internal Goal

• If the internal goal is vague, the character’s growth may not feel impactful.
• Action: Suggest refining the internal goal to make it specific and emotionally resonant.

3. Inconsistent Internal Goal

• The internal goal should be consistent throughout the story.
• Action: Identify scenes where the internal goal disappears and suggest reinforcing it.

4. No Closure for the Internal Goal

• If the internal goal isn’t resolved by the end, the story may feel incomplete.
• Action: Recommend revising the final act to ensure a satisfying resolution.

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Advice for Writers on Strengthening the Internal Goal

To refine POV Goal Internal, ask these questions:

• What personal weakness or flaw is holding the protagonist back?
• How does this flaw impact their external goal?
• Does the character actively try to overcome their internal struggle?
• How does this struggle shape their decisions and relationships?
• Is there a clear resolution to the internal goal by the end?

Great characters struggle and evolve. Their internal battle should be just as engaging as their external conflict.

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Final Thoughts

Mastering the POV Goal Internal ensures that characters grow in meaningful ways. By tracking and refining internal struggles, writers can create stories that resonate emotionally and keep readers invested.

Stay tuned for our next post, where we’ll explore the next Fictionary Story Element: Goal Related to Plot. Until then, happy writing!

Welcome back to The Pencil’s Edge! Today, we delve into one of the most essential elements of storytelling: the Character Arc, also known as the Story Goal Tracker. This element ensures that every scene contributes to the protagonist’s journey, pushing them closer to—or further from—their ultimate goal.

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Why Is the Character Arc Important?

The Character Arc is the protagonist’s external journey, tracking how each scene impacts their progress toward the main story goal. This external arc is just as crucial as the protagonist’s internal transformation because it dictates the forward momentum of the story.

In a well-structured novel:

• The protagonist either wins or loses their goal by the end.
• Every scene should move them closer or further from achieving that goal.
• No scene should be neutral—if it doesn’t impact the protagonist, it doesn’t belong in the story.

By carefully crafting the Character Arc, writers ensure that the story remains engaging, dynamic, and meaningful.

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Using the Character Arc in Fictionary

Fictionary’s Story Goal Tracker helps visualize the protagonist’s progress through the Evaluate Page. Here’s how it works:

1. Identify the Protagonist’s Story Goal
   • The blurb or synopsis should provide clues about the protagonist’s main goal.
   • If the protagonist isn’t clear, ask: What is the main objective driving the story?
2. Assess Each Scene’s Impact on the Goal
   • Assign a Positive, Negative, or Neutral impact to every scene.
   • Positive: The protagonist makes progress toward their goal.
   • Negative: The protagonist faces setbacks, making the goal harder to achieve.
   • Neutral: No impact—this means the scene may not be needed.
3. Track Story Progression
   • As scenes are evaluated, the Story Goal Tracker draws an arc:
     • Upward movement means progress.
     • Downward movement means obstacles.
     • Flat lines indicate stagnation—a potential issue.
4. Analyze the Entire Story Arc
   • Review the protagonist’s progression.
   • A well-balanced story includes both positive and negative movements.
   • Too many wins make a story predictable, while too many losses can frustrate readers.

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When to Give Feedback on the Character Arc

As an editor or writer, check for these common issues:

1. Neutral Impact on the Protagonist

• If a scene does not move the protagonist toward or away from their goal, it needs revision.
• Action: Enter Neutral in the Story Goal Tracker and suggest reworking or cutting the scene.

2. Imbalanced Character Arc

• A story with too many positive moments lacks tension.
• A story with too many negative moments can feel hopeless.
• Action: Ensure a mix of wins and setbacks to maintain reader engagement.

3. Too Easy or Too Hard to Achieve the Goal

• If the protagonist reaches their goal too easily, stakes are too low.
• If the protagonist constantly struggles without progress, the pacing may feel stagnant.
• Action: Adjust difficulty levels to maintain tension and pacing.

4. Unclear Main Story Goal

• If the protagonist’s goal is vague or inconsistent, the story may lack direction.
• Action: Clarify the main story goal early and ensure all scenes contribute to it.

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Advice for Writers on Strengthening the Character Arc

To refine the Character Arc, ask these questions:

• Is the protagonist’s goal clearly defined?
• Does every scene impact the protagonist’s ability to achieve their goal?
• Is there a mix of successes and setbacks?
• Does the external journey force internal change?

Remember, even if a protagonist has a neutral inner arc (like James Bond or Jack Reacher), their external journey should still include wins and losses to maintain engagement.

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Final Thoughts

Mastering the Character Arc (Story Goal Tracker) ensures that every scene has purpose, every obstacle matters, and the protagonist’s journey is compelling from start to finish. By tracking their progress scene by scene, writers can create a dynamic, well-paced narrative that keeps readers hooked.

Stay tuned for our next post, where we’ll explore the next Fictionary Story Element: POV Goal Internal. Until then, happy writing!

Welcome back to The Pencil’s Edge! In today’s post, we explore one of the most crucial elements of storytelling: the POV Character Goal. Without a clear goal, a character’s actions can feel aimless, leaving readers disengaged. A strong POV goal drives the story forward and provides readers with a compelling reason to keep turning the pages.

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Why Is the POV Character Goal Important?

A character goal is simply what a character wants in a given scene. Goals provide:

• Direction: They dictate what the character is doing and why.
• Tension: They create obstacles and stakes that keep readers engaged.
• Emotional Investment: Readers need to root for (or against) a character’s goal.

Without a goal, the scene risks becoming stagnant. Readers need to see characters striving toward something, failing, adjusting, and trying again.

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Using the POV Character Goal Element in Fictionary

In StoryCoach, each scene should have a clearly defined POV goal. If a goal is not apparent, this could indicate a weak scene. Here’s how to evaluate POV goals:

1. Verify the POV Goal
   • Navigate to Point of View Goal on the Evaluate page.
   • If the POV goal is not clear, enter Unclear in the story element.
2. Relate the POV Goal to the Story’s Main Goal
   • The protagonist should have a main story goal that is apparent in the blurb.
   • The POV character’s goal per scene should always relate to that overarching story goal.
3. Differentiate Between Internal and External Goals
   • External Goal: The immediate objective in a scene (e.g., winning an argument, escaping danger, finding a clue).
   • Internal Goal: A deeper, more emotional need driving the character’s transformation (e.g., gaining self-worth, overcoming a past trauma).
4. Utilize the Story Map
   • Select Point of View, POV Goal, and Scene Name in the Story Map to track character progression.

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When to Provide Feedback on POV Goals

As an editor or writer reviewing a manuscript, be on the lookout for these common issues:

1. No Clear POV Goal

• If a character has no discernible goal in a scene, it lacks momentum.
• Action: Enter No goal in the story element and suggest adding one.

2. Too Many Goals

• If the character is juggling multiple conflicting goals in a single scene, it can be confusing.
• Action: Enter Too many in the story element and recommend narrowing the focus.

3. Inconsistent Goals

• If the character’s goal changes within the scene without reason, it may lack coherence.
• Action: Enter Inconsistent and suggest clarifying intent.

4. No Consequences

• If the character’s goal is achieved or abandoned without impact, the stakes are too low.
• Action: Enter No consequences and recommend adding tension.

5. Too Easily Achieved Goals

• If a character reaches their goal without difficulty, the scene may feel underdeveloped.
• Action: Enter Too easy and advise adding obstacles or conflict.

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Advice for Writers on Strengthening POV Goals

To create compelling goals, ask these questions:

• Does the protagonist want something badly?
• Is the goal strong enough to be interesting?
• Does the protagonist get proactive by the midpoint?
• Does the protagonist change themselves or their situation?

By ensuring every POV character has a strong external goal (what they want) and an underlying internal goal (what they need), writers can create richer, more engaging narratives.

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Final Thoughts

Mastering POV Character Goals is key to building a dynamic and engaging story. Without clear, purposeful goals, scenes can feel aimless, and readers may lose interest. By tracking and refining goals, writers can maintain tension, keep characters proactive, and create a compelling reading experience.

Stay tuned for our next post, where we’ll explore the next Fictionary Story Element: Character Arc. Until then, happy writing!

Welcome back to The Pencil’s Edge! In today’s post, we explore one of the most fundamental elements of storytelling: Point of View (POV). Understanding and mastering POV ensures a seamless and immersive reading experience, allowing readers to connect deeply with your characters and their journeys.

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Why Is Point of View Important?

When a writer selects a Point of View (POV) character for a scene, they make a promise to the reader—the reader will experience the scene exclusively from that character’s perspective. Any deviation from this promise can cause confusion, disrupt the pacing, and pull the reader out of the story.

Head-hopping (switching POV within a scene) requires extra words to clarify whose thoughts or actions are being described, making the narrative feel inconsistent. By maintaining a consistent POV, the writer ensures clarity and a strong connection between the reader and the characters.

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Using This Story Element in Fictionary

Fictionary’s StoryCoach automatically assigns a POV character to each scene upon manuscript import. However, it’s important to verify and correct any discrepancies. Here’s how to do it:

1. Verify the Assigned POV Character
   • Navigate to the Point of View element on the Evaluate page.
   • If the assigned POV character is incorrect, use the drop-down menu to select the correct character.
2. Missing a POV Character?
   • Click View Character List and ensure the character is added to the scene.
   • If the character is not listed, add them to the Cast of Characters on the Overview page before assigning them to scenes.
3. Analyzing POV Balance
   • The POV Characters Insight helps visualize the order, balance, and number of scenes each POV character has.
   • If the protagonist is not the dominant POV character, consider whether the right character is being emphasized.

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When to Offer Feedback on POV

As an editor or writer refining a manuscript, here are key areas where POV issues often arise:

1. Head-Hopping Within a Scene

• If a scene is told from one character’s POV, avoid jumping into another character’s thoughts or experiences.
• Sudden POV shifts can disrupt immersion, lessen tension, and make the story feel uncontrolled.
• Solution: Start a new scene when changing POV or rewrite the passage to maintain a singular perspective.

2. Unbalanced POV Distribution

• The protagonist should generally have the most POV scenes.
• Too much time between POV shifts can make it difficult to remember the characters.
• Solution: Use the POV Characters Insight to check balance and ensure the protagonist remains central.

3. Too Many POV Characters

• Research suggests readers can remember five to seven POVs effectively.
• Too many perspectives can dilute character connection.
• Solution: Consider combining roles or limiting perspectives to key characters.

4. First Scene’s POV Is Not the Protagonist

• Readers often expect the first character introduced to be the protagonist.
• If the POV character in the opening scene is not the protagonist, ensure this choice is intentional and clear.

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Advice to Writers on POV Implementation

• Choose Your POV Carefully: Decide whether your story benefits most from first-person (I, me), third-person limited (he, she, they), or third-person omniscient (all-knowing narrator).
• Maintain POV Consistency: Each scene should be told from only one character’s viewpoint.
• Use POV to Build Connection: The fewer POV characters, the deeper the reader’s bond with each.
• Switch POVs with Purpose: If using multiple POVs, structure them intentionally so they enhance rather than confuse the narrative.

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Final Thoughts

Mastering Point of View is essential for crafting a compelling and immersive story. By maintaining a clear and consistent POV, writers can enhance emotional depth, improve pacing, and ensure a seamless reader experience.

Stay tuned for our next post, where we’ll explore the next Fictionary Story Element: POV Goal. Until then, happy writing!

Welcome back to The Pencil’s Edge! Today, we’re kicking off our in-depth exploration of Fictionary’s 38 Story Elements, beginning with Characters per Scene. Understanding how and why characters appear in your scenes is crucial to crafting a story that feels cohesive, engaging, and unforgettable.

Why Are Characters per Scene Important?

Characters are the heart and soul of any story. The love readers develop for your characters is what keeps them turning pages. The Characters per Scene element offers insight into how effectively you’re utilizing your characters. It helps you ensure that every character’s presence serves a purpose and contributes meaningfully to the plot.

Think of it like a stage play—the characters “on stage” in each scene are the ones actively participating in the story. Characters who are merely mentioned add background flavor but don’t directly influence the scene’s events.

Using the Characters per Scene Story Element

In Fictionary’s StoryCoach, you can find Characters per Scene under the Character tab on the Evaluate page. By clicking View Character List, you’ll see a pop-up window that displays all the characters linked to each scene.

How It Works:

Imported Character List: StoryCoach scans your manuscript upon import and automatically links characters to the scenes they appear in.

Characters in a Scene: These are the “on stage” characters—those who have an active role in the scene.

Characters Mentioned: These are characters who are referenced in dialogue or thought but don’t actively participate in the scene.

You can adjust the list by moving characters between “in scene” and “mentioned.” This ensures an accurate representation of your cast in each scene.

Pro Tip: Characters moved to “Characters Mentioned” won’t show up in key StoryCoach insights like Scenes per Character, Characters per Scene, or Story Map. They also can’t be assigned as a POV character.

How to Evaluate Character Usage

As you read through each scene of the manuscript, keep the cast of characters updated. You’ll find this process helps you:

Track character involvement: See how often characters appear and ensure key players are getting enough “page time.”

Identify underused or overused characters: Determine if some characters need more development or if others can be cut or combined.

Assess character relevance: Evaluate if each character’s presence is justified and contributes to moving the plot forward.

Determining Appropriate Character Descriptions:

After updating the character lists, use the Scenes per Character insight to see how many scenes each character appears in. If a character only appears in a few scenes but has a lengthy introduction, you might need to trim their description.

Major characters should receive detailed introductions to signal their importance.

Minor characters should be introduced succinctly, providing just enough detail to keep readers engaged without overwhelming them.

Characters per Scene Insights and How to Use Them

Fictionary’s visualization tools offer powerful insights into your character structure. Here’s how you can leverage them:

Track Character Entry and Exit:

Use the Story Arc view to see when key characters enter and exit your story. This helps ensure major characters appear at the right times and minor characters don’t linger unnecessarily.

Monitor Character Presence in Major Events:

Check if the protagonist is present in critical scenes like the inciting incident, plot points, and climax. If they’re missing, it might be time to revise.

Evaluate Scene Crowding:

Are there too many characters in one scene? Crowded scenes can confuse readers. Consider whether each character is essential. If not, combine roles or remove unnecessary characters.

Track Protagonist and Antagonist Interactions:

Increasing the number of scenes where your protagonist and antagonist appear together can heighten tension and drive conflict.

Avoid Confusing Names:

Review your Cast of Characters for similar names that might confuse readers. For example, having characters named “Molly” and “Maggie” in the same scene could be tricky for readers to follow.

When to Offer Feedback on Character Usage

As you refine your manuscript, consider giving feedback in these situations:

Character Introductions Feel Off:

Major characters need strong, memorable introductions. If a character’s first appearance lacks impact, it might be time to revise.

Too Many Characters in a Scene:

If readers struggle to keep track of who’s who, reduce the number of characters per scene.

Characters Appear or Disappear Without Explanation:

Ensure continuity by tracking character movements between scenes.

Protagonist Missing from Key Scenes:

Your protagonist should be present for major plot events. If they’re absent, consider revising to keep readers emotionally invested.

Protagonist and Antagonist Need More Shared Scenes:

Shared scenes between the protagonist and antagonist can heighten tension and keep readers on edge.

Confusing Character Names:

Simplify or change similar names to avoid reader confusion.

Final Thoughts

Mastering Characters per Scene is about more than just tracking who’s present. It’s about ensuring every character serves a purpose, drives the plot forward, and engages readers. By thoughtfully managing your cast, you’ll create a story that feels vibrant, cohesive, and unforgettable.

Stay tuned for our next post, where we’ll explore the next Fictionary Story Element: Point of View. Until then, happy writing!