Why Your Characters Feel Flat
“It’s less about getting stories out, more about digging deeper into why we all tick.”
Let’s explore how TV writer Eric Martin (Heels, Loki) approaches character-driven storytelling… and the unconventional methods that make his scripts come alive.
Here’s his refreshing perspective on crafting authentic narratives:
“I try to get into a place where it’s just the subconscious doing the writing. Everything comes from character and emotion.”
Let’s break down his core principles:
1. Psychology-First Approach
- Start with character needs, not plot structure
- Focus on emotional truth over story mechanics
- Let character psychology guide narrative development
2. Daily Writing Process
- Write every single day on your project
- Review and refine previous day’s work first
- Stay deeply immersed in the story world
3. Physical Creativity Boosters
- Walk on treadmill at Zone 2 heart rate while reading scripts
- Change fonts to see work with fresh eyes
- Transfer scenes to index cards for new perspective
The game-changing insight: Success in writing compelling stories isn’t about following structural formulas. It’s about understanding your characters’ deepest psychological needs and letting them drive the narrative.
His tactical advice for writers:
- Push readers for brutally honest feedback
- Write from the subconscious, analyze later
- Start specs with characters that fascinate you
Quick mindset shift: Stop thinking about “getting the structure right.” Instead, focus on understanding what your characters think they need versus what they actually need.
Keep writing,
- Brock Swinson
