Lesson 3

[Joan Butler]

Day 3 What’s Special About Your Character?

I learned that these are useful techniques for opening my mind to possibilities.

Selma

I am keeping: She commits suicide because she didn’t save her mother or Elizabeth. (Changed to: tries to commit suicide.)

Other Extremes

1. Attitude: Frustrated with Elizabeth. — Furious with Elizabeth and never counsels anyone again. INTENSE.

2. Distrusts Gaia. — Cuts all contact with her. INTENSE.

3. Proud of not lying for one month – Proud of not lying for one second. ODD.

4. Worst nightmare: Being kicked to death by one man. – Being kicked for eternity by hundreds of men. INTENSE.

Elizabeth

She lives her worst nightmare: She realizes she isn’t delusional and she gave her baby away for no reason.

Other Extremes

1. Fears Mark’s cruelty. – Fears Mark will kill her. INTENSE.

2. Subtext: When she wants to hide something, she attacks. – She kills. INTENSE.

3. Inner conflict: Mark is an abuser. / Mark is a good man. – Mark is the Devil. / Mark is God. PROFOUND.

4. Motto: Love heals all wounds. – She becomes a faith healer. PROFOUND.

Extrapolations

Selma

If Mark comes to her door and she knows how cruel he is maybe she won’t open the door.

If Gaia doesn’t accept her resignation and decides to help Selma maybe she won’t quit her job.

If her mother’s picture breaks and Selma thinks her mother won’t forgive her maybe Selma will go back to the hospital to be treated for depression.

Elizabeth

If she gave away her own baby and she looks after Jasmine’s maybe she would try to steal the baby.

If she’s angry with Selma and Mark maybe she will go to Bella’s apartment.

If she stops doublethinking and still believes Mark is a good man maybe she will return to him and never go back to the shelter.