A Short Writing Lesson: Dogged by Guilt

Characterization and story set up doesn’t have to be difficult. Sometimes all it takes is a few well-chosen words and specific reactions. This is especially true when your character is dogged by guilt.

Every guilty person is his own hangman.

Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Who is Dogged by Guilt

Can you identify the antagonist, protagonist, and the story question in this video?

More than One Story

One way to see the story in the video is that the white dog is the protagonist and the guilty party. Trying to get away with wrong doing. The voice (presumably of the owner) is the antagonist.

Turn that around. Make the white dog the antagonist.

See how the same characters with different goals using guilt as the primary emotion can create two different stories? That is a sign that you have couple of complex characters.

Don’t get how being dogged by guilt can create great characters? Read Lies, Secrets, and Scars Create Better Characters.

What other writing lessons do you see in this video?


Thanks, loyal readers, for sticking with me. A deadline is looming and I must keep my focus on completing that project. Regular blogging will resume as soon as possible.

6 comments

  1. Lynette, get back to work! LOL! 🙂

    But those doggies look like they could be trouble if left alone for too long. Like our manuscripts, if they lay for too long we could be in trouble. Right?

    We will be here when you return Lynette. We’ll miss you though. And I’m sorry I’ve been a little MIA lately myself. I promise I won’t be away for too long. Post on facebook and I’ll be there. Take care Lynette! 🙂

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