A Character's "Mirror Moment"

          Not too long ago a writer friend was sharing with me a book called Write Your Novel From the Middle by James Scott Bell. As a reader and writer who loves characters, I found this book particularly interesting with regards to his thoughts on character development.

          Bell looked at his favorite novels and movies and pinpointed the exact middle in every one. He found that in the middle, or close to it, the lead character has a "look in the mirror moment." Bell stresses that this is not the same as the midpoint of the plot where there is a plot point where something external happens that changes the course of the story. The middle is a character point where something internal happens that bonds the audience and characters on a deeper level. It is not a scene but a moment within a scene that pulls together the entire narrative, what Bell calls "the true center." It is what the story is really about. At the Mirror Moment, which often comes at a low point for the character, he will have to fundamentally change or grow stronger.

          In a character-driven story the character looks at himself and wonders what kind of person he is. What is he becoming? If he continues the fight, how will he be different? What will he have to do to overcome his inner challenges? How will he have to change to battle successfully?

          For plot-driven fiction the character looks at himself and considers the odds against him. At this point the forces seem so vast that there is virtually no way to go on and not face certain death, be it physical, professional, or psychological.

          Bell places the Mirror Moment at the apex of his Golden Triangle as pictured below. Once you have identified your character's Mirror Moment then it is time to tackle the other corners of your triangle. Depending on the type of writer you are, you may start at the other corners first.

                                             The Golden Triangle

                                                            Mirror Moment

                                                   What your story is really about

 

                   Pre-Story Psychology                                            Transformation

                  Makes the Mirror Moment                                       The visual actions that prove

                  necessary                                                                   transformation

          Bell gives numerous examples from literature and film that illustrate his points. The example I will provide here is from the movie Lethal Weapon.

Pre-Story Psychology:  Martin Riggs is suicidal due to the murder of his wife. He is isolated and anti-social. He carries around a hollow-point bullet that he will use on himself someday.

Magic Mirror Moment:  After spending an evening at his partner's home, Riggs bares his soul and admits to his partner killing people is "the only thing I was ever good at."

Transformation:  Riggs shows up at his partner's home on Christmas Eve. The daughter invites him in but he demurs. He hands her a gift to give to her father. It's the hollow-point bullet with a ribbon wrapped around it. Riggs doesn't need it anymore.

          For some writers, having a Golden Triangle for a character in mind can help the scenes of a story fall in place more easily because they'll know what they are writing towards. Remember, this is just a quick glossing overview of a part of Bell's book and ideas. If this approach sounds interesting, check out Writing Your Novel From the Middle. Happy writing!