Too bad...I always look forward to your comments.

I've had the issue on a few other WP blogs, but this was the first time here.

I am so sorry to hear that!!

Laura, your game-of-opposites approach to main-character development is genius. Going to apply it to my WIP. How can the pairs' goals and gifts be opposite yet complementary? How can their weaknesses and strengths work together? It's a great way to get to the why-do-they-need-each-other backbone of their journey.

Eldred, thanks for the provocative post. Just put a new sticky note on my monitor that says "...and then what?"

Oooooo, that logline generator looks like fun, Ellen! Kinda like doing the NYC Midnight challenge, it tells you loosely what you're going to be writing about.

Back when I taught Pre-K in a progressive school my students dictated stories that I wrote down for them.

Whenever they were stuck, we played the "And then what happened" game. That never failed, especially when asked with an excited voice. Their stories were always character driven. For added fun they had to decide which of their classmates would be in the story. The students performed their plays the same day.

I found a useful resource: http://www.mitchmoldofsky.com/LoglinePage0.htm

Along with the logline generator there are a few other useful tools, such as a synopsis engine and character charts.

Great examples, Terry. Genre can really drive where you start and where you go with the story. Genre readers have certain expectations that must be met. Whether you're writing romance, sci-fi, fantasy or mystery, it pays to know your audience and the beats you have to hit to be successful.