In this video, we dive deep into character motivations and how to ensure they are aligned with your plot to create compelling characters that behave consistently throughout your story and their transformation arcs.
We’ll do so through the lens of my RAP and PAR personality types and explore when one type might be better than another.
Spoiler alert: It’s not necessarily about which is better but about how each personality type uniquely shapes your characters, adding depth, complexity, and authenticity to your storytelling.
Hello, Jane Cleland here.
The question is, “I talk about RAP versus PAR when it comes to character motivations aligning with plot. Is one way better than the other?”
Well, let’s start by defining the terms. RAP stands for React, Act, Process. PAR is Plan, Act, React.
No, I don’t think one way is better than another. I think people probably are hardwired. People who are more methodical, thoughtful, analytical—they think before they speak—tend to be the PAR people, the planners. They plan, then they act, and then they react to what’s going on.
People who are more impulsive, spontaneous, freewheeling tend to be the RAP people. These are the people who react first, then act based on that emotional reaction, and only afterward process what happened.
So, while there’s no one way that’s better than another, your characters probably are going to consistently react as either a PAR person or a RAP person. They’re a RAP-er or a PAR-er. That’s one of the ways you can add complexity, depth, and integrity to their characterizations—by showing how they think.
Are they a planner? A more thoughtful person? More literal? That would be the PAR type. Or are they the kind of person who asks for forgiveness rather than permission? That’s the RAP type. They react and act first and only then process: “Oops, better take care of business on that one!” But that’s after the fact.
They’re both good. They’re both good people; they’re just very different people. Understanding this will help you develop characters and ensure their alignment with the incidents as they go through the transformation process.
How do you do it? How do you ensure your characters are aligned with the plot? How do you make sure their motivations are not superficial? I’d love to read your comments on the subject.
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Thanks!
*Transcripts are software-generated. To report any transcription errors, please use my contact form!
