Perspective Box

This is a problem solving tool, as opposed to a creativity tool. This technique helps to put you into the minds of different people and imagine the solutions they might come up with. It helps to determine your characters reactions and decisions.

copyright 2002

Individual creativity: Draw the central square and in it write the situation or problem. Then draw a larger box around it and divide it as shown. Now for each character, determine their personal choice for dealing with the situation and the kind of compromise they might be willing to offer the other character. 

Individual Alternate: Choose a problematic scene or a scene you're considering and place it in the center box. Then in the larger, divided box approach the scene from the point of view of four different characters. Often when a scene isn't working, the solution is to change POV and show the situation from another perspective.

Group Alternate: This is a great tool to use with critique partners who already know your characters. Present the problem or situation and ask for possible solutions as writers (the first instinctual solution that comes to mind) and then as the characters themselves (because each person will bring their own experiences to the answer).