#12 Add EARTH
Give Your Hero Higher Ground: Examples and Writing Prompts
The ELEMENTS Writing Technique
Craft characters, scenes, and stories!
Add AIR to help your protagonist fly.
FIRE to make your lovers burn.
WATER to watch your scenes grow.
EARTH is our next elemental force of nature. Apply it to the ALLY in your story.
We spend a lot of time holding our PROTAGONIST back.
Still, the EARTH elemental writing technique crafts favorable or “seemingly” beneficial scenes for your hero/heroine to gain momentum and move forward.
Add EARTH to an Ally and Give your Hero Higher Ground.
Envelop your protagonist with a feeling of safety, real or imagined.
Ally appears to your protagonist when unexpected.
Renew faith and hope in protagonist's self-will.
Tell missing key information.
Have a limit to how much the ally can or will help the protagonist.
In storytelling, utilizing a supportive ALLY can be the bedrock that elevates your protagonist and provides essential emotional and practical support for their journey.
Apply the EARTH writing technique to the ALLY and help your PROTAGONIST reach higher ground before they are knocked down the mountain again.
Utilizing an ALLY with intention will help you create rich, dynamic character relationships that direct your story's narrative drive.
The Ally in Rom Coms
In romantic comedies, allies bring humor. They typically offer hilariously lousy advice that leads to a protagonist’s entertaining mishaps. In the third act, the ally could deliver genuinely good advice, helping the protagonist achieve their romantic goal.
The Ally in Dramas
Conversely, the ally's role in dramatic stories is more profound and pivotal. They often provide crucial support and critical information around the midpoint reversal, helping the protagonist navigate emotional turmoil and high-stakes situations.
By leveraging these EARTH writing elements, you can craft multifaceted scenes where allies play crucial roles in comedic and dramatic contexts, ultimately enriching the story’s plot and deepening the audience's connection to the characters.
The E.A.R.T.H Writing Technique
E: Envelop your protagonist with a feeling of safety, real or imagined.
Example:
After a series of harrowing events, Jane finds solace in her old boyfriend, Mike. He provides her with a safe place to stay, reassuring her that she is protected from the dangers lurking outside. This sense of safety, though temporary, allows Jane to regain her composure and strength.
Writing Prompt:
Write a scene where your protagonist, after experiencing significant stress or danger, finds themselves in the company of an ally who makes them feel safe. How does this feeling of safety, whether real or imagined, impact their mental state and actions? What plans or reflections arise from this newfound sense of security?
A: Ally appears to your protagonist when unexpected.
Example:
In the middle of a tense confrontation with her current boyfriend turned rival, Jane is surprised when Mike suddenly shows up to support her, tipping the scales in her favor. Mike’s unexpected arrival gives Jane the backup she needs to navigate the conflict more confidently.
Writing Prompt:
Create a scene where your protagonist is in a dire situation, and an ally arrives unexpectedly. How does the ally's sudden appearance change the dynamics of the scene? What does this reveal about the ally's character and their relationship with the protagonist?
R: Renew faith and hope in protagonist's self-will.
Example:
Feeling overwhelmed by her challenges, Jane begins to doubt her ability to succeed. Mike, however, shares a heartfelt story (with a parallel theme) of his own struggles and triumphs, renewing Jane's faith in her abilities and giving her the hope she needs to push forward.
Writing Prompt:
Write a scene where your protagonist's ally helps them regain self-confidence and hope. What words or actions does the ally use to inspire the protagonist? How does this renewed faith affect the protagonist's outlook and decisions about how to move forward?
T: Tell missing key information.
Example:
Mike reveals to Jane a crucial piece of information he has kept from her about her adversary's weaknesses. This missing key information allows Jane to devise a new strategy, giving her a seeming advantage.
Writing Prompt:
Develop a scene where the protagonist's ally provides vital information that was previously unknown. How does this revelation change the protagonist's understanding of their situation? How do they use this new knowledge to advance their goals?
H: Have a limit to how much the ally can or will help the protagonist.
Example:
Despite his unwavering support, Mike surprises Jane when he confesses that, due to his own obligations and risks, he can only assist her up to a certain point. Jane realizes she must face the final challenge independently, testing her strength and resolve.
Writing Prompt:
Write a scene where the protagonist's ally sets clear boundaries on the extent of their help. How does the protagonist react to these limitations? How do they prepare to tackle the next steps, knowing they must rely more on their own abilities?
Conclusion
By incorporating these EARTH techniques into every scene, you can create a strong and supportive dynamic between your protagonist and their ally, enriching the narrative and adding layers of depth to their journey. This approach helps ground the story, providing a solid foundation for character development and plot progression.
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Best wishes,
Kelly E. Keough