As a writer, I’m constantly searching for ways to create richer, more dynamic character interactions. One of the most effective tools I’ve discovered is the concept of “four corner opposition.” This technique has allowed me to craft more personal and layered conflicts, adding depth to both my characters and the overall narrative.

What is Four Corner Opposition?

In essence, four corner opposition is a storytelling framework where four distinct characters or groups are in opposition to one another. Each “corner” represents a different perspective, motivation, or goal, which leads to a complex web of conflict, far more intricate than a simple hero-villain dynamic.

Instead of just having two sides battling it out, four corner opposition introduces competing motivations from multiple angles. Some characters may align briefly, but their deeper desires create natural friction, ensuring tension throughout the story. It’s a tool that injects moral ambiguity and multiplies the stakes, leading to unexpected twists and evolving relationships.

The Origins of Four Corner Opposition

This method is widely attributed to John Truby, a prominent story expert and screenwriter. In his influential book The Anatomy of Story, Truby critiques the traditional binary conflict structure and introduces four corner opposition as a way to complicate and enrich the narrative. He argues that by diversifying the forces of opposition, you create a more engaging and unpredictable story.

Truby’s framework pushes writers to craft characters that are fully fleshed out, with unique desires and flaws. Instead of relying on a good vs. evil structure, each character believes they are in the right, adding layers to the narrative and creating a tapestry of motives that can conflict or align at various points.

How Four Corner Opposition Has Impacted My Writing

In my own work, including The Story of Rain trilogy, I’ve embraced four corner opposition to develop my characters and drive the story forward. Here’s how it’s been particularly effective:

1. Deeper Character Development: Each character is more than just an ally or enemy. They are complex individuals with unique agendas, which makes for much richer interactions. Djeodi, Roan, and others in my novels all have different stakes in the story, which leads to surprising alliances, betrayals, and moments of introspection.
2. More Personal Conflict: Using four corner opposition means that conflict isn’t just external. It often arises from internal desires that clash with those of others. This approach allows me to explore themes like redemption, loyalty, and survival from multiple perspectives, making the stakes feel more personal and emotional.
3. Unpredictability: With four distinct “corners” vying for their goals, the story naturally evolves in unpredictable ways. Characters might team up momentarily, but their underlying motivations eventually pull them apart. This keeps the reader on their toes, never quite sure how things will unfold.
4. Layered Themes: I’ve found that this technique allows for a deeper exploration of the themes central to my novels. By having multiple characters with conflicting desires, I can examine various aspects of the story’s themes from different angles, enriching the narrative’s complexity.

Conclusion

Ultimately, four corner opposition has helped me craft more intricate and emotionally engaging stories. By deepening the conflict between characters, I’ve been able to create narratives that feel both intense and personal, leaving readers with a sense of immersion and unpredictability. If you’re a writer looking to add complexity to your work, I highly recommend exploring this technique and seeing where it leads you.

I hope this provides some insight into the power of four corner opposition and how it has positively shaped my storytelling. If you’re interested in seeing this method in action, I encourage you to check out my upcoming novel, The Verrient, the final book in The Story of Rain trilogy!

After years of anticipation, I am thrilled to announce the release of The Verrient, the third and final installment in The Story of Rain trilogy, coming October 24th.

This epic conclusion brings together the threads of survival, sacrifice, and resilience woven throughout the series and delivers a powerful finale that I can’t wait to share with you.

In The Broken Horn, we were introduced to Djeodi, a recovering alcoholic forced to face his violent past, and Roan, a fiercely independent sandrunner with a bounty on her head. Their fates collided in a struggle for survival amidst a harsh desert landscape, as ancient forces threatened the fragile peace of their world.

In The Sandrunner, Djeodi and the Survivors of Shah sought sanctuary, only to face even greater dangers. Roan, hunted for her past, discovered that her greatest challenge lay in the unexpected bonds she formed. Together, these characters battled their inner demons and external threats in a race to save themselves and those they loved.

Now, in The Verrient, the stakes have never been higher. War has come to the Outlands. Airships darken the sky, and the edani have returned, determined to bring total annihilation. Djeodi and Roan will not surrender, and neither will Talarain, the frail yet powerful girl whose destiny could determine the future of their world. Together, they must confront their pasts, face the horrors of war, and make impossible choices.

This final chapter of The Story of Rain is a tale of redemption, courage, and hope, even in the face of seemingly insurmountable odds. It is a story of a world on the brink of destruction and the characters who fight to save it, no matter the cost.

I am so excited to bring this journey to its epic conclusion and hope you will join me as we witness the fate of Djeodi, Roan, Talarain, and the Outlands unfold. The Verrient will be available soon—stay tuned for the release date, and thank you for being part of this adventure!

The weekend after Thanksgiving, I will be signing books at the Geek the Halls fair in Portland, Oregon.

Here’s what they have to say on their website:

Geek the Halls is the original Portland nerdy craft fair, created in 2010. 60+ amazing crafter artists to find the perfect gift for the nerds in your life (or yourself). FREE Admission!

I’ll be there with The Broken Horn, The Sandrunner, and chocolates. If you feel like geeking out, come say hi!

I’m thrilled to announce The Sandrunner, the second book in The Story of Rain trilogy! Thousands of hours went into this endeavor and I hope you love it as much as I loved writing it.

The Nutshell

Having escaped the edani, Djeodi and the Survivors of Shah find themselves at Anubi’s gates, their final refuge. But for Djeodi to gain entry, he must undertake a perilous mission to a remote town only to discover the enemy has returned, stronger than ever.

Meanwhile, Roan’s past catches up as an old adversary captures her for a settled bounty. Learning of orphan Talarain’s dire situation at the Temple, she breaks free with assistance from an unexpected ally. Will she escape Anubi to save herself, or risk all for Talarain’s freedom?

Alliances are tested, debts are tallied, and old enemies rise again. The Sandrunner is a heart-pumping tale of refugees and renegades bound by fate, racing to save themselves and their world.

Hey there!

So… as of yesterday I submitted the soon-to-be final draft of the Sandrunner to my line editor. This is a huge step! It’s the stage in the game where the editor looks through every sentence, every metaphor, every character voice, and lots more, in an effort to polish things up. It’s a large undertaking (for the editor!) and the final step before submitting the book to proofreaders.

In other words, the book will launch on October 23rd—on time!

The Sandrunner Cover Design

I began work with the cover designer for the Sandrunner this week! The process is a really fun collaboration that pulls from both my art and marketing backgrounds. I work with a stellar artist named Jeff Brown to first develop the concept, and then move toward the final piece.

To come up with ideas, Jeff and I hopped on zoom to discuss the book. We looked for scenes within the story with strong visuals and drama, then discussed how best they could be displayed.

We settled on a few requirements:

• The cover must stylistically match book one, The Broken Horn.
• It must feature a different character: Roan! (By the way, based on a recent informal poll, something like 65% of readers are more invested in Roan than Djeodi. How about you??)
• It should pull the viewer in with intrigue, while capturing the otherworldly nature of Nan’kadur.
• It must imply the story without giving away too many clues.

Of course there were other things as well, like it has to be book-sized, done in color, no nudity or swearing, etc. Nudity is for the other Don Elliott…

What is concept art?

The concept art is a rough sketch depicting what a cover could look like. Jeff is a badass, so we worked this out in about 2 hours. I’m going to show you the artwork here first, then keep scrolling to see the concept art and final design for The Broken Horn. It will give you an idea of how the process goes.