5 Stages of Character Resolution

JANUARY WORKSHOP: THE 5 STAGES OF CHARACTER RESOLUTION
Presented by Superromance author Rogenna Brewer

HODRW meeting summary
by
Ingrid Cohen

Superromance author Rogenna Brewer presented a lively and informative workshop on the 5 stages of character resolution, which she likened to the 5 stages of grief. Because we've all experienced grief in one form or another, it creates instant empathy for your characters. Using the coping mechanisms that apply to any loss, stress, separation or change can bring your characters to life.

The 5 stages of character resolution as outlined by Rogenna are: Denial, Anger, Bargaining, Guilt and Acceptance. A character may deny that he/she has a problem and may withdraw from others. This character may move into anger at the person who inflicted the hurt, or even at him/herself for letting it happen. Bargaining with a higher power or self to change the event, even though that might not be possible, is usually the next step, followed by feelings of guilt. And lastly, in fiction as in life, your character will hopefully leave anger and sadness in the past and will reach acceptance.

"The 5 Stages of Character Resolution is a starting point for the emotions attached to a character's internal conflict. The natural progression through the remaining stages propels a character through resolution."

Rogenna categorized the stages into the Feeling Stages (Denial, Anger and Guilt) and the Action Stages (Distancing, Bargaining and Acceptance). The Feeling Stages are emotional in nature, and the Action Stages speak for themselves. She pointed out that a character's emotional starting point can be in any of the 5 stages, even acceptance.

Rogenna ended the workshop with a group exercise using Scene and Sequel and Motivation/Reaction units (refer to Dwight Swain's Techniques of the Selling Writer or Anne Eames' The Last Techniques I Learned Before Selling). She emphasized that her technique is just one of many. Take what works for you and leave the rest.