This piece is the first assignment for the course The Craft of Character, the third course out of five in Wesleyan University’s creative writing course aimed for NaNoWriMo participants on Coursera. The instruction:
Choose a book or film that you have recently enjoyed, or select a story from mythology. Identify the core desire, need, or ambition in at least two main characters in the book/film/myth. Write one paragraph to familiarize your reader with this context. Then, create a new character based solely on your idea (not on anybody you know from the real or fictional worlds). Make the reader know them. Place them in a social situation with your pre-selected character where they have to exchange conversation related to the identified desire/need/ambition with one or more of the characters in the book or film. Be sure to include telling details. Craft the scene for your reader, using a maximum of 400 words (the introductory paragraph does not count in this word limit, but keep it brief).
Euthalia’s Answer
(Wonder Woman, 2017 film) In the past there was a war between the gods and the Amazons against Ares, the god of war. Ares was defeated, but Zeus fell with him. Since then, the Amazons live hidden on the island of Themyscira. They are led by their Queen, Hippolyta, and her sister and general, Antiope. Hippolyta has a daughter, Diana, who is also Zeus’ daughter and born to be a secret weapon against Ares. However, Hippolyta insists to maintain the peace and protect Diana by hiding the truth and refusing to train Diana in combat. Antiope is convinced that Ares is not dead, and that Diana should be trained in combat for her own protection and to fulfill her destiny to kill Ares.
Euthalia stands guard as Queen Hippolyta quarrels with General Antiope.
“You cannot ignore her education so, sister,” Antiope says, pacing the room.
Hippolyta reclines on her sofa, her eyes on the parchment in her hand. “Nonsense. Diana has the best tutors. She has mastered another language, I heard.”
“You know very well what I mean,” Antiope snaps.
Indeed, the Queen does, as does Euthalia, and every Amazon on the island. This argument is not the first. There are secret wagers, the pool growing with each passing year. They all agree that the Queen will relent, but when is the question.
Hippolyta drops the parchment and all pretense. “I thought you have moved on from this foolish notion. I will not have Diana fight. She is not a soldier.”
“No,” Antiope sighs, “she is more.”
“Have you so little faith in your own troops that you wish to rely on a child?”
“None of us have Zeus’ blood in our veins. None of us are made to kill Ares.”
“Ares is dead.”
He isn’t. There is a thrum in Euthalia’s heart, just as there is in everyone’s heart. War-drums, slow, distant, but constant, even after the war ended centuries ago. Soon, Ares will rise again, and Diana needs to be ready. Yet Hippolyta refuses to listen to her own sister and general, and the other Amazons prefer holding their tongue.
“Let us indulge in your fantasy, for argument’s sake. Do you not think it is a betrayal to her nature, if we do not train her?” Antiope asks. She turns to Euthalia. “What do you think, lieutenant?”
Euthalia starts, then stammers. Hippolyta chuckles. “You mustn’t make her choose between her queen and her general, the poor thing,” she tells Antiope. To Euthalia, “Pay no heed to the general.”
Antiope frowns. “No, answer me.”
Euthalia licks her lips. “Perhaps there is merit in training the princess,” she begins. Antiope smiles. “But perhaps,” Euthalia continues, “it is wise to wait. She is but a child, and undisciplined still.” She blushes. “Forgive me. The princess is bright and clever—”
“I understand.” Hippolyta waves her hand. “Well?” she asks Antiope. “You have your answer.”
Antiope sighs again. “She will not always be a child,” she says as she exits.
Euthalia schools her expression to not betray her pleasure. After all, she bet fifty gold coins that the queen will not relent for another decade.
syllable-pinching 