Learning Human Behavior

Zhuge Liang in Mastering the Art of War, reveals how difficult it becomes to delve into people’s natures and really know them. Although good and bad seem different, their conditions and appearances are not always uniform.

Some people appear nice enough but steal. Others reveal outward respect but inward distain for others. Often tenacious individuals feel insecure inside. On a team, players may have talents that help the team win but they do not show loyalty to their teammates.


Zhuge Liang uses seven questions to learn individual behavior:

l.    When questioning individuals about right and wrong, observe their ideas.

2.   Exhaust their arguments and discover if and how they change.

3.   Consult with them about strategy to notice their perceptiveness.

4.   Announce that there is trouble to test their courage.

5.   Get them drunk, to observe their nature.

6.   Present them with the prospect of gain to see how modest they are.

7.   Give them a task to do within a specific time, to see how trustworthy they are.

As difficult as it might become to know individuals, writers need this information to create well-rounded characters. Take a character you have created and present him or her with these questions. How does your character respond? Share one response with us.

Alain de Botton writes, "We should not feel embarrassed by our difficulties, only by our failure can anything grow."

Consider what you find difficult today. How will you bring successes from the past to your present moments of discomfort?

Write to discover and overcome a diffculty by pushing boundaries in your writing.

Writing Goals

Writing Goals for 2011



It's 30 days away from the new year. Begin to think of your writing purpose and goals for 2011. New Year's Resolutions don't stick. Don't consider your writing aspirations as part of a resolution. Make them revolutionary!

Place a sheet of paper where you'll see it every day. Over the next weeks, make notes of what you expect to play with, discover and accomplish in your 2011 writing.

Along the way, add in several daring goals to push yourself beyond limits.

In the last two weeks of the month, lock in your goals and then determine three actions for each.

l. What you will do (specifically) to accomplish your goals given your current writing climate and resources.
2. Who might be able to help you. Contact that person with specific requests.

3. Write a scene of what to expect when you meet your goal.

Creative Write: Share a line of what it will feel like to accomplish your writing purpose this year!