Holistic Characters in Linear Situations

writing
#1

Writing holistic characters is actually an interesting concept I’ve come across since first being introduced to Dramatica, but I can’t help but feel I run into a roadblock since many of the situations I come up with tend to be linear, having a straightforward objective and a list of necessary steps to achieve it. And then I drop the holistic character right in the middle of it and perhaps unfairly ask her to deal with it. (My holistic characters all tend to be female).

For example, I wonder how to write a holistic assassin, because I can’t help but see the task in a linear fashion. (1) Get the target in a position where you can kill him and (2) kill him.

YA Supernatural Novel, help and guidance please
Question about Relationship Throughline
#2

No inequity is inherently linear or holistic – it contains both problem-solving techniques. However, one technique may be better suited than the other.

A holistic assassin might determine pressure points based on the target’s relationships with others that, when pushed, may trigger rebalancing in one or more of those relationship in such a way that circumstances cause one of those relationships to go bad and lead to the target’s death either by suicide or murder by another party.

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Holistic Problem-Solving: Can't See the Trees for the Forest
#3

You might find that it is harder to write a linear MC than you are thinking. I remember a historical mystery series with the first book reading like a linear main character to me. The main character female historical mystery solver prided herself on using logic, and if I remember right the following books in the series shifted to a whole other approach becoming more emotional with each succeeding book. I took it that the first book was an experiment for the writer, a challenge, and I had to chuckle thinking, it wasn’t so easy was it. I am trying to track down this series now. Of course, that was just my take on it.

#4

After you figure out how to do this, you’ll have the nice result of nobody understanding your character. :-/

I say that in jest, though that was my experience when I did this once. But, it is a really good way to get you thinking about stories in a different way, and I recommend it.

#5

Well, I don’t mind so much. I think I tend more toward holism than others in my family, so I try to understand it more. It’s a linear understanding of holism, so I’m kinda handicapped at that.

#6

The historical mystery series that had the first book as a linear MC attempt (strictly imho, of course) was by Sharan Newman – Death Comes As Epiphany, A Catherine LeVendeur Mystery

#7

Isn’t that what the mystery genre is all about? I find your approach fascinating, holistic within linear, and all of a sudden thinking about it, I’m a sleuth! Wow, you put a new spin on it. Thanks for the concept.