In my previous post, we explored the Story Spark: the initial incident or idea that launches your story. Now, let’s examine the emotions wrapped around your Story Spark. What emotions are present in your main characters when the story launches? There is no drama without emotion. Or maybe the drama is the complete lack of emotion. Either way: you must explore the emotions present at the Spark.
In my story, I’m looking at a young man who wants freedom from home. If this were Shawshank Prison, he’d be tunneling out, scraping concrete with his bare hands. His mother is on the verge of filing for divorce; she feels alone. His father is drunk constantly and facing failure #324. His grandmother just shakes her head at her daughter’s lost opportunity since she married the loser. The sheriff is still pining over his mother and sees one last chance.
Once you define the feelings, ask yourself: are these normal? Are they abnormal? What would make them more interesting? What if the cliche became unique?