In most good stories, it is the character's personality that creates the action of the story. If you start with real personality, a real character, then something is bound to happen.
Flannery O'ConnorJesus was the only One that ever raised the dead," The Misfit continued, "and He shouldn't have done it. He shown everything off balance. If He did what He said, then it's nothing for you to do but throw away everything and follow Him, and if He didn't, then it's nothing for you to do but enjoy the few minutes you got left the best way you can by killing somebody or burning down his house or doing some other meanness to him. No pleasure but meanness," he said and his voice had become almost a snarl.
Flannery O'ConnorThere is something in us, as storytellers and as listeners to stories, that demands the redemptive act, that demands that what falls at least be offered the chance to be restored.
Flannery O'ConnorNothing needs to happen to a writerโs life after they are 20. By then theyโve experienced more than enough to last their creative life.
Flannery O'ConnorPeople without hope not only donโt write novels, but what is more to the point, they donโt read them. They donโt take long looks at anything, because they lack the courage. The way to despair is to refuse to have any kind of experience, and the novel, of course, is a way to have experience.
Flannery O'Connor