Day 7 Assignments

[Eric Humble]

Eric Humble’s Connection with Audience

What I learned: I really enjoyed this lesson in that it gave some great guidelines on how to connect at multiple levels. I’ve never been one for writing likable characters, and as such I’ve dealt many times with readers of my writing saying that they didn’t connect with the protagonist. The other three levels have really given me some great tools to avoid this problem, and also to deliver on the business decision involving “target audience.”

Raf

Relatability:

-Feels pressure to succeed – both internal pressure he puts on himself and pressure from his business partner

-Hesitant to make a long-term commitment in his relationship for fear that comfortable stability will cause him to lose sight of pursuing his dreams

-Intimidated by the heavy security at Camp David, frustrated by all the checkpoints violating his privacy and treating him as if he’s guilty just for being there

-Still has feelings for his ex-lover Natalia, who represents a road not taken in his life

-Intimidated by the power players he’s cooking for

Intrigue:

-Chef Victor is missing – mysteriously – and Raf has stepped into his role. What happened to him? Will the same fate befall Raf?

-Natalia has lied about her political past and her qualifications to get this job – no easy feat with this security. What is her scheme? Does it involve Raf?

-Someone has slipped poison into certain ingredients in the pantry. Which of the cooks did it? Which ingredients? Who is their target?

-Someone has called the IRS and FBI to look into Raf’s business. There are mysterious accounts filled with money from foreign sources that he didn’t create. Someone is setting him up. Who?

Empathy:

-Raf is poisoned. He won’t last the evening.

-Raf has to cover for Natalia even though he knows she’s lying. His old feelings are still strong.

-Raf creates a dish using the same ingredients for the previous course, because he knows they’re not poisoned – but is sharply criticized by all the powerful people at the meal. He’s humiliated and has put the whole peace deal in jeopardy.

Likeability:

-Raf is a great chef. His style of cooking and meals are tantalizing to look at. He’s been awarded Michelin stars.

-Raf is charming, funny.

-Even though he’s a known back-stabber and social climber, he’s taking the time and effort to mentor Joseph. He’s complimentary to his staff, singling them out when they do a good job.

Natalia

Relatability:

-World traveler – has had her eyes opened from being somewhere other than the US.

-Wants to make a change in the world – sees the political system as broken but is still idealistic for the present and the future.

-Frustrated and angry that no one’s doing anything to change the world.

Intrigue:

-She’s up to something that has her worried – but she’s more concerned about where Victor disappeared off to. How will this affect her or her plans?

Empathy:

-In love with Victor, doesn’t know he’s dead… but we know.

-In danger of having her fake credentials figured out. NATO security comes down to question her.

Likeability:

-She’s not the assassin. Her plan is to smuggle in protesters in hopes of getting the President to listen to their plight and make a better deal.

-She’s concerned about the refugees she smuggled in – they’ve been in there too long without food. She wants to save them.

-Natalia is poisoned, about to die.