NEW PARIS BOOK IN PROGRESS IN 2024: FOLLOWING RULES AND BREAKING RULES – Blog # 5.
I’m still at the concept stage in the writing process of my new fictional book, tentatively called the New Paris Book.
Why do I like my childhood Peter Rabbit 1902-1912 books by British author Beatrix Potter? Because Peter Rabbit broke the rules and goes into Mr. McGregor’s garden to steal carrots to eat. Why do I admire Rosa Parks? Yes, both Peter Rabbit and Rosa Parks were rule breakers. Their acts define their character. In stories, they add suspense to the plot.
But, when is it okay for a character to break the rules? For example, during the pandemic, governments around the world imposed lots of rules. During the first pandemic lockdown in Paris from March 2020, what would happen if people broke the “one kilometre rule” – i.e., no travel beyond one kilometre from home, except with written permission?
Perhaps I need to establish or set the scene for the “new norm” rules throughout the duration of the story. Would the hero of the story be a rule follower or a rule breaker?
Rule follower: What are these rules and what does the hero think of them? What does the hero think of those who break the rules? What are the benefits or rewards for following rules?
Rule breaker: If the hero breaks the rules, is she acting selfishly or at a cost to herself? Would she be breaking rules to obey a higher rule? For example, would the hero break the pandemic’s social distancing rule to help a stranger in distress, knowing that people around the world were restricted from visiting their loved ones in retirement homes and hospitals? What would happen next – freedom or punishment?
This is all grist for the literary mill.
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