Let’s digress from our study of emotion this time and talk
about motivation reaction units (MRUs). The first time I heard these explained
was by
Randy Ingermanson, creator of the Snowflake Method. He read about them
in Dwight V. Swain’s classic.
Techniques
of the Selling Writer, which is available on
Amazon.com.
So what is a motivation-reaction-unit? An MRU is the
fundamental grouping of words that form a story.
The first component of the MRU is a sentence or several
sentences which comprise a cause. The cause is something the reader can see. It
is totally outside of the point-of-view (POV) character, and can be anything
tangible or intangible, conscious or unconscious that stimulates a change in
the character. Neither the POV’s name nor pronouns that refer to him may appear
in this part of the MRU.
The paragraph that follows contains the second half of the
MRU. It is a sentence or group of sentences that show the effect of the
stimulus. It is about the POV character and shows the change in his behavior or
state of mind in response to the motivating stimulus.
The following is an excerpt from the prologue of my novel
Kokoweef, which may be accessed by clicking the tab under the banner. I’ve
labeled the alternating pattern of motivation and reaction. Notice that the
motivating sentences are completely outside the POV. Also note how the stimulus
produces a change in the POV that moves the story along
The soldiers assumed their posts.
Commander Lucifer positioned himself on high ground opposite the wormhole, his
generals at his sides. [MOTIVATION]
Malum drew his swords. With Michael
and his army vanquished, what would Lord Lucifer do next? Attack High Heaven?
It had been eons since the Enemy cast them out. A victorious return would be
joyous. [REACTION]
The wormhole rumbled, and Lucifer
raised his hands. [MOTIVATION]
Malum’s swords shook. Steady. Only moments until Lucifer signals
to attack. [REACTION]
A low whine grumbled in the
passage. [MOTIVATION]
Malum tightened his grips. [REACTION]
The noise rose in pitch and volume.
The tunnel’s crystalline walls vibrated.
[MOTIVATION]
He swallowed, and his breaths
quickened. The surface on which he stood rolled and swayed. He fought for
traction then furrowed his brows. Something was wrong. The resonance frequency
had changed. An operational wormhole never made that high, warbling sound. What
was Michael up to? [REACTION]
Fire roared from the wormhole and
incinerated several soldiers. The tunnel warped. Squealed. Folded inward. In a
blink, it disappeared. [MOTIVATION]
Malum
cursed, and turned his attention to Lucifer.
[REACTION]
Rage contorted the commander’s
faces. He bellowed and lashed out with his swords. The heads of his generals
rolled down slope to Malum’s feet.
[MOTIVATION]
His
hearts lurched. [REACTION]
So why are the MRUs important? They provide the momentum
that moves the story along. Strings of MRUs form scenes and sequences.
Alternating scenes and sequences then produce the story pattern.—Quinn
