Influential Influential stories focus on the application of power and influence in regards
 to other people. These stories include business, politics, law, and the ways in which
 they interact with human relationships. People interested in influential stories
 generally like leadership roles and are interested in how to move other people to their
 points of view. Some popular influential stories include West Wing, Law & Order,
 The Manchurian Candidate, and Fahrenheit 9/11.

Organized- Organized stories emphasize planning and control. These stories may
 involve many supporting roles and behind-the-scenes influences such as computer
 simulations and systems engineering as well as roles wherein people provide
 assistance to others. Characters in these settings tend to work independently to
 influence outcomes through steady and consistent attention to detail. Some popular
 organized stories include The Net, Clean Sweep, Hackers, The Matrix, War Games,
 and Sneakers.

Scientific Scientific stories focus on the intellectual pursuit of answers to all types of
 questions. Through research and analysis, scientists look to solve mysteries through
 attention to detail and rigor. In addition to laboratory and medical work, these
 settings also include detective work, mathematics, and theoretical/philosophical
 pursuits. Some popular scientific stories include CSI, A BeautifulMind, ER, Crossing
 Jordan, The Fly, and many stories on the Discovery Health Channel.


As you can see from the examples listed in each genre, there are many stories that cross
genres or include aspects of both. For example, many mysteries include both the
scientific and the adventurous. Taking your top two or three genres, are their ways in
which you can combine them to create a setting you would prefer? In the space below,
rank order your top three genre choices.

Activity Six: Casting Your Characters

"It is well to remember that the entire universe, i/ ith one trifling exception, is composed
of others. -John Andrew Holmes

 Very rarely do people create stories that don't involve other characters. Even
one-actor plays generally involve that one person playing multiple characters.
Traditional career development theories, however, tend to ask people to make decisions
independent of the other people in their lives. There are two aspects of your supporting
cast that you will need to figure out. You will need to decide who should be included in
your cast of characters and what role they will play in your narrative.
 First, make a list of all of the important characters in your life. Be sure to include
everyone from the people you interact with daily to those who may have only slight
influence. Most of these roles have already been cast, but remember also to include roles
that have not been cast but that you expect to fill, such as children or significant others.
 After you have your list of characters, go back choose five that you want to
consider more carefully (eventually, you'll want to think about everyone, but narrowing
down will help you get started). Write a paragraph or two about each of these five