The MICE quotient

[stacer]

Take two. I tried to post this a minute ago and my browser zapped it somehow. Grrr.

So, MoD, have you ever read Orson Scott Card's book Characters and Viewpoint? I just pulled it out to browse through tonight and found something you might find interesting. He talks about the different aspects of story, milieu, idea, character, and event (MICE). Then he says:

"Examine your story, either in your head, in outline, or in draft form. What is it that most interests you? Where are you spending the most time and effort? Where are you spending the most time and effort? Are you constantly researching or inventing more details about the setting? Is it the detailed unraveling of the mystery that fascinates you? Do you constantly find yourself exploring a character? Or is it the actual events that you care about most? your story will work best when you use the structure demanded by the factor that you care most about.

"If you love the mystery, structure the tale as an idea story--begin with the question and devote the bulk of your story time to answering it. If you care most about the milieu, let the reader know it from the start by beginning with a character's arrival in the new world (how long does it take Alice to get down the rabbit hole or through the looking glass into Wonderland?) or by concentrating on the details of the place and culture; then spend the bulk of your time discovering the wonders and curiosities of the milieu. If you care most about a character, begin with his or her dilemma and spend the bulk of your time on the effort toward change. If you care most about the events, begin at the point where the characters become involved with the world's sickness, and spend the bulk of your time in the story on their efforts to restore balance."

[stacer]

I like the idea of breaking it down and thinking about what fascinates you most and concentrating on that. If you look at fairy tales, the kind of story I've been most fascinated by lately, they're very plot-oriented. And that's a time-honored storytelling tradition. OSC goes on to talk about how characterization is a "fashion of our time" that other storytelling traditions didn't find as important. I love fairy tales, but one of the things I find fascinating about retelling/reworking them is adding characterization. So I guess you might say I like to focus on plot and characterization, but not so much on the setting.

[The Holy Saint, Grand High Poobah, Master of Monkeys, Ehlers]

I personally have worried much less about character than other factors. That's why I like myth. It's the DEEDS of the character that make me like him, not his personality. So I guess I prefer storytelling/plot/event most. I wonder if that reflects in my writing.

[Sharm]

World building and plot for me.  I love having a new and complex world that affects the way events happen and how you see the characters.  It adds depth to stories that a lot of fantasy writers skip out on.

I know MOD likes characters best.  I guess that's why we work well together.  We shall have a well rounded story when we're through.  

[Mistress of Darkness]

I've looked at OSC's book before, but it didn't really thrill me. That was over 10 years ago, though, so maybe my opinion would be different.

The thing is, I'm so interested wrapped up in the characters, that the best form for the story, according to what I find most interesting, would be a Jane Austin novel. But I don't want to write a JA novel. I'd prefer to expand my horizons and become involved in the culture building, plot and other aspects and then decide.

But thanks for the advice.