Both Scofield’s discussion of negotiation in Chapter 7 and Charles Baxter’s theory of “Counterpointed Characterization” challenge the idea that fiction must contain conflict. These concepts might be instrument in shaping my works in the future. It is apparent from Scofield’s work that indeed negotiation is an art by itself (Scofield 44). The art of negotiation requires clarity and the selection of characters that are up to the task of bringing out the targeted themes within a literary piece. It is through the quality of negotiation that readers cannot be in a position to assess the quality of the work presented in different literary texts. Charles Baxter reinforces the idea of the importance of negotiation by arguing that writers have to careful in their selection of the characters that are involved in negotiations with a particular piece. The idea of counterpointed characterization makes sure that the writer is able to effectively control the mind of the reader such that the biases and preconceived notions that the readers might have regarding a given character is erased (Baxter 67). This makes it possible the writer to create character complexity that allows readers to dig a little deeper in determining the character traits of that particular character. Counterpointed characterization also aids the reader to reduce the need for using conflict in literary piece. Conflict might in the long run disrupt the overarching ideas that the writer sought to bring out at the beginning. Therefore, these concepts by both Scofield and Baxter will be instrumental in my future works especially in terms effectively selecting characters to execute the negotiation process within the plot of the literary texts.
Works Cited
Baxter, Charles. Burning down the house: essays on fiction. Saint Paul, Minnesota: Graywolf Press, 2008. Print.
Scofield, Sandra Jean. The scene book: a primer for the fiction writer. New York, U.S.A.: Penguin Books, 2007. Print.
