Each story or novel presents the main character with not only an upset in daily activities, but also a quest.
That quest presents itself not unlike a summons to court.
The protagonist, in arriving at court, must plead her or his case. And yet the judge, the bailiff, the jurors, even the attorneys for both the plaintiff and the defense, reflect aspects of the central character.
The courtroom in this sense, not unlike the setting and context of a story, becomes a theater, a stage upon which the protagonist makes plain her or his needs. It displays what the descending chaos and change has wrought her or him, and whether they are up to carrying the case further.
How you set the stage clarifies or muddles the nature of the conflict that the central character faces. Ideally, it also reveals the goal she or he will seek to achieve in their efforts to survive and overcome the change that has landed.
Establishing context and situation play an important role in putting for crucible in which characters will play out the conflict and tensions of the story.
Context and situation also set the stage and offer possibilities for resolution.
To what details do you give attention when outlining the context of your story or novel?
How much time do you spend clarifying the situation of the challenge facing your protagonist?
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