Inside Out vs. Outside In Writing

In the Core: Dialogue class I’m currently teaching, we examined how a key to writing dialogue is to engage in an Inward Journey into the lives of each character, then explore how that emerges as Outward Expression. Here are some of my reflections from a recent forum post:

My entire approach to screenwriting theory is based on engaging characters, delving into them, and seeing what emerges from those interactions. By starting there, we begin the creative process inside the story, as opposed to working with some sort of formula or paradigm, then cramming plot elements into that system. Therein lies the path of formulaic writing.

On the other hand, when we directly engage our characters — it is their story after all! — plot can naturally evolve from those interactions. In other words, we put meat on the bones of the old adage: Character equals Plot.

That’s why in my Prep: From Concept to Outline workshop, we begin the process with 7 key questions:

Who is the Protagonist?

What do they Want (Conscious Goal)?

What do they Need (Unconscious Goal)?

Who / what is trying to stop them?

What is the eventual synthesis of Want and Need?

What does the Protagonist fear the most?

Why does this story have to happen to this character at this time?

Those 7 questions are all character-based. However if you can answer them, you have already set into place the backbone of the story’s Plotline.

Which is to say Inside Out writing, where we base the entire story prep process with the characters who are inside the Story Universe, is much preferable to Outside In writing, where the writer manipulates characters and plot to fit the writer’s perception of the story.

This extends to dialogue. If we go into our characters, understanding where they are psychologically in each scene, we are much more likely to get attuned to the how and what they express through dialogue.

Start with characters. End with characters. Find the story in between.

Go. Into. The. Story. Those four little words uttered by my son when he was around three years old continue to echo in the creative chambers of my soul, the distillation of Inside Out writing.

Hopefully for you, too!