That Crazy Will to Live

You know Aron Ralston? The guy who got trapped by a boulder in Canyonlands, USA for over five days, then cut off his own arm using a dull knife, thus escaping and living to write a book about it? Oh yeah. That guy.

Well, they're making a movie about him starring the incredibly attractive James Franco, and let me tell you, it looks pretty awesome. In particular, a tagline shot in the trailer got me brain-wheels a-turnin'. (They do turn! Sometimes...)

The will to live. From a writer's perspective, you could call it the ultimate character motivation. And the truth is, that will doesn't have to translate into something as crazy epic and point-blank as cutting off your own arm. Or collecting seven horcruxes in an insatiable quest for immortality. (Sorry, Aron, I didn't mean to just compare you to Voldemort. These things happen, y'know.)

It can translate into something smaller. People might not always realize it - hell, for the sake of mental health, it's better if we don't - but every day is made up of struggles. Struggles to be happy, to pursue goals, to overcome obstacles, to pwn opponents. Basically, to live. It sounds dramatic, but check out some day-to-day examples:

- Wake up to the alarm. Lame! Press snooze to snatch a few more minutes of delicious sleep. (Be happy)
- Cruel person cuts in front of you in the line for coffee. You go into WANTCOFFEE mode and work up the guts to say something to them. It's worth it, ja? (Pwn opponents)  
- Get home, and despite tiredness, eek out a few hundred words of that ol' book. One day, man, one day soon... (Pursue goals)
- It's late. You have an hour to [insert 50 tasks]. You can do it! (Overcome obstacles) 

None of these struggles come close to stacking up to Aron Ralston's story. And hey, few do. But when it comes to writing - to telling compelling headline stories - maybe ask yourself:

What activates this character's will to live? And what is their Aron Ralston moment?

The Aron Ralston moment: when everything comes down to one act of pure crazy will. In a fantasy book, it could actually be a character's refusal to die by the hands of a foe. In contemporary, it could be the girl finally asking the guy she digs to prom. (Go girl!)

It's the result of all other options being lost. It's defining, revelatory, and intense to read. It makes for a bangin' climax. Literally or not, human life is on the line, dude.

IRL, the average person will probs end up only experiencing a few of these moments. A mixture of wimpiness, smarts, and self-preservation instincts keep us in the clear. But in books, we get to insert them, strip the human experience down to the bone. That's pretty cool, right?

'Cause no one gets in the way of coffee consumption. And no boulder gets in the way of Aron Ralston. Wh00t! What activates your protagonist's will to live? And have you ever had an Aron Ralston moment?

Also, a quickie blog update: posting's gonna keep being a little spotty this month and into the holidays - impending SATs and college stuff beckon. But oh, soon these things shall be lifted, and the greatness semi-goodness cute efforts of PWK shall surge forth once more!

In the meantime, here's a video of Aron describing the amputation process. I know, that totally made you want to go canyon-adventuring. Even if you don't... have a fantastic week!