In this post, I will respond to two more protagonist questions focusing on internal conflicts. Consider this “thinking out loud” because I’m still uncovering what the answers could be before I check to see what makes sense and what aligns with the story’s essence. Those checks will come later (generating and evaluating responses are two different tasks that are best separated), but I’ll be able to generate further questions that are more specific to my story to show you how we can go deeper with character development.
As usual with these posts, it’s more useful to focus on how I’m thinking about the problem of story development than on the specific choices I’m making. What kinds of questions am I asking, and how are the questions framing the answers I seek? One thing I’m noticing while working through the questions is that certain ideas arise frequently whether I’m thinking about the protagonist, place, or problem of the premise. This seems promising.
What are the protagonist's main internal conflicts?
I see two primary sources of internal conflict: William Lawford’s sense of duty and his inexperience.
Lawford’s sense of duty and his desire to carry out his mission are part of how he defines himself. He is an officer who fulfills the orders given to him by his superiors. This works well when the values, goals, and strategies of the Royal Navy match Lawford’s own. When orders conflict with Lawford’s personal moral code, goals, and strategies he finds honorable, he will struggle to make the best decision.
As a young and inexperienced officer, Lawford has an idea about how the Royal Navy is and ought to be (his mental model of the institution). When his naive beliefs conflict with reality, he may struggle to realize it and then be unsure of how to respond, especially when under time pressure.
This inexperience may cause Lawford to question his judgment of the institution and himself and to doubt his ability to complete the rescue and salvage mission. And because he finds social interactions challenging, this will be complicated when his tasks that involve influencing people.
How do the protagonist’s personal values clash with external expectations?
Initially, Lawford’s values and goals, those of the merchant captains, and the Admiralty will be aligned. They all want the convoy to reach its destination as quickly and safely as possible. But once the convoy departs and the merchant captains are ordered to go as slow as the leakiest ship, the goals will not all be fully aligned. Lawford’s crew will have different goals based on their positions as well. Priorities and expectations will be mutually exclusive. Sacrifices will have to be made, and striking the right balance will be challenging, especially because of the lack of resources.
With all of my story responses so far in mind, I can ask more specific questions to explore further dimensions of his character.
How does Lawford's sense of duty to the Royal Navy conflict with his personal moral code?
In what ways does Lawford's inexperience as a young captain create self-doubt or insecurity?
How does Lawford's difficulty navigating social situations show up in his relationships, and how does this internal struggle manifest?
What tensions arise between Lawford's desire for structure and discipline and the need for flexibility in a crisis situation?
How does Lawford's background (lower-middle class, first in his family to become a naval officer) influence his self-perception and interactions with others? How does his model of the world differ from those of others?
What internal conflict does Lawford face between his idealistic view of the Royal Navy and the realities of corruption or questionable motives he might encounter?
How does Lawford's tendency to hyperfocus affect his decision-making, and what internal struggles does this cause?
What personal sacrifices has Lawford made to pursue his naval career, and how do these choices continue to affect him?
How does Lawford's difficulty in reading social cues create internal tension when he needs to lead or influence others?
What internal conflict might Lawford face between his dedication to his career and any potential personal relationships or desires?
This post is part of a 75-day writing challenge and experiment. From September 9 through November 22, I'll be posting daily thoughts on writing, storytelling, and creativity based on recent readings or reflections. While my intention was to keep them very short—250 to 400 words—I've found that this range doesn't give me enough space to cover these topics adequately. I aim to keep them brief enough to be read quickly, but they will often be longer than 400 words.
At the end of the challenge, I will organize and revise the material with intention. For now, the object is to explore and share.