From the First Draft Friday podcast archives
The art of writing is a complicated web of tricks and processes picked up from a variety of places and unique to every author. Some swear by outlining while others turn up their nose at its structure. Others only write by hand, some dictate, while others use old-fashion typewriter-style keyboards because the metallic clicks spur their creative juices. Among these varied approaches, many authors have found that using the OODA Loop in fiction provides a simple, repeatable structure for building believable characters and dynamic scenes.
Going back to this First Draft Friday from 2020, Alessandra Torre had the privilege of sitting down with veteran authors Judith Lucci and Fiona Quinn to discuss their method for crafting compelling characters and dynamic scenes. Judith, who passed away in 2021, brought decades of storytelling wisdom to the conversation. In our discussion, they explored the OODA loop — a decision-making framework originally developed for military strategy — and demonstrated how its four steps (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act) can be applied to fiction as a powerful model for character motivation and scene development. While the podcast is not currently active, the insights from this conversation remain a valuable resource for writers seeking to deepen character realism and narrative tension.
Here is a one-page handout that summarizes how to use the OODA method in your fiction writing.
The OODA Loop
1. Observe
First, write what your character notices.
Observation includes unfolding circumstances, environmental details, new information, and the behavior of others. The key is specificity. What your POV character observes should be filtered through who they are.
For example:
- A physical therapist might notice a robbery suspect’s uneven gait.
- A police officer might focus on the suspect’s hand movements.
- A parent might scan for threats to a child in the room.
Observation is not neutral. It is selective. What your character notices reveals who they are.
2. Orient
Orientation is the most powerful — and most character-defining — step.
This is where personal history, beliefs, biases, and lived experience shape how the character interprets what they’ve observed. Two characters can witness the same event and come away with completely different understandings.
Orientation is influenced by factors such as:
- Age and generation
- Cultural background
- Education and training
- Values and morality
- Temperament
- Trauma and past experience
- Physical or emotional state
- Current relationships
If multiple characters are present, this is often where conflict begins. Their orientations differ — and so will their decisions.
Orientation is where character depth lives.
3. Decide
The character now makes a choice.
This decision may be deliberate and reasoned, or it may be instinctive and reflexive. Either way, readers need clarity about why the character chooses one path over another.
Ask:
- What options were available?
- What internal or external pressures influenced the choice?
- Was the decision easy or costly?
- What value tipped the scale — survival, loyalty, pride, fear, love?
Decision is the pivot point of the scene.
4. Act
Finally, the character acts.
Action changes something — externally, emotionally, or relationally. If nothing changes, the scene hasn’t truly moved.
Once the action occurs, the loop begins again. The character observes the new situation created by their action, reorients, decides, and acts once more. This ongoing cycle drives momentum and keeps scenes active rather than static.
Writers can also use the Marlowe 3.0 Author Dashboard to analyze character motivation, scene clarity, and decision flow, making it easier to strengthen each step of the OODA Loop in their manuscript. Get started for free here.
For a full breakdown and discussion check out the video below.
Our author guests
Fiona Quinn is a USA Today bestselling author, a Kindle Scout winner, and has ranked among Amazon’s Top 100 authors in multiple categories, including Romantic Suspense; Mystery, Thriller & Suspense; and Science Fiction & Fantasy.
She writes smart, sexy suspense with a psychic twist in her expansive Iniquus World, which includes the Lynx Series, Strike Force, Uncommon Enemies, Kate Hamilton Mysteries, and the FBI Joint Task Force Series. Writing as Fiona Angelica Quinn, she also authors the Elemental Witches urban fantasy series. And, just for fun, she co-wrote the Badge Bunny Booze Mystery Collection with her friend Tina Glasneck.
Learn more at www.fionaquinnbooks.com.
Judith Lucci was a Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Amazon bestselling author known for her fast-paced, riveting thrillers filled with believable drama, memorable characters, and true suspense. Her novels were frequently described by readers as “unputdownable.”
Born and educated in Virginia, Judith held graduate and doctoral degrees from Virginia Commonwealth University and the University of Virginia. In addition to her fiction, she authored numerous academic and health-related articles and professional publications.
Her work continues to resonate with readers. Learn more about her books and legacy at www.judithlucci.com
First Draft Friday: Transcript (edited for better readability)
Alessandra:
Hi, everyone! I’m Alessandra from Authors AI, and this is First Draft Friday. I’m thrilled to be joined by Judith Lucci and Fiona Quinn—two powerhouse authors with more than forty bestselling titles between them.
Today we’re diving into a powerful technique you can use to build compelling characters and dynamic plotlines. I’ll share a link to the handout in the comments. If you’re joining us live, feel free to ask questions—we’ll answer as many as we can in our half hour together.
Judith and Fiona, thank you so much for being here. I’ll turn it over to you.
Introductions
Judith:
Thank you, Alessandra. I’m delighted to be here. I write medical thrillers, psychological suspense, and cozy mysteries, including the Women of Valor World, which encompasses the Alexandra Destephano Medical Thrillers, the Michaela McPherson Crime Series, and the Sonia Amon Medical Thrillers. I’m a USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author.
Before writing, I spent many years as a nurse working in hospitals and medical facilities around the world. And sitting beside me is my dear friend and brilliant author, Fiona Quinn.
Fiona:
Hi, everyone! Judith and I met early in our writing careers, and she’s been a wonderful friend and mentor.
I have a master’s degree in counseling from the Medical College of Virginia, so today I’ll be wearing my psychology hat. I’m a Kindle Scout winner, a five-time USA Today bestselling author, and have ranked in Amazon’s Top 100 in mystery and thriller categories.
Most of my books fall into action-adventure romance. I’ve written over twenty books in my Iniquus World—stories featuring ex–Special Forces characters where I draw on my background in martial arts, survival skills, and emergency management.
And it was through that background that I learned about the OODA Loop—today’s topic.
What Is the OODA Loop?
Fiona:
OODA stands for Observe, Orient, Decide, Act. The term was coined in the 1950s by Colonel John Boyd, a fighter pilot who studied why some pilots were more effective in combat than others. He discovered that performance wasn’t just about skill—it was about how quickly and effectively pilots moved through this decision-making cycle.
Every person observes differently. They interpret—or orient—those observations differently. That affects their decisions, and ultimately, their actions.
The OODA loop gives your characters greater psychological depth. New authors can use it as a clear, practical structure for building scenes. More experienced writers may find that it reframes techniques they already use and helps unlock scenes when they feel stuck.
Ask yourself:
- What is my character observing?
- How are they interpreting it?
- Why are they choosing this action?
- What happens next?
Step 1: Observe
Judith:
Observation grounds the scene. It’s what your character notices in their environment—sounds, smells, textures, movement.
Think about:
- The weather
- The time of day
- A sudden noise
- A shift in someone’s tone
For example, here’s a short passage from Chaos at Crescent City Medical Center, set during Mardi Gras:
The pungent smell of Cajun spices permeated the February air. Ornate iron balconies bowed beneath the weight of revelers pressing for a better view of the street. From above, power and prestige hung like beads ready to be thrown.
Through sensory detail—smell, sound, crowd density—the reader is immersed in the moment.
Observation sets the stage.
Step 2: Orient
Fiona:
Orientation is where character lives.
We process millions of pieces of data every second, but our brains filter what matters. For example, your eyes technically see your nose all the time—but your brain filters it out as irrelevant.
Your characters will do the same.
Orientation is shaped by:
- Background and culture
- Education and training
- Trauma and life experience
- Physical limitations
- Current emotional state
If three people witness the same event, they will interpret it differently.
Let’s say three people are in a gas station during a robbery:
- An artist notices facial structure, thinking she could sketch the suspect later.
- A physical therapist notices the suspect’s uneven gait and realizes he can’t run far.
- A soldier watches the suspect’s hands, waiting for an opening to disarm him.
Same situation. Three orientations. Three different decisions.
That’s how you create depth—and conflict.
Step 3: Decide
Judith:
Decision-making can be conscious or reflexive.
A mother catching a falling child? Reflex.
Choosing whether to confront a villain? Deliberate.
Ask:
- Why does your character choose A over B?
- Is the decision moral, selfish, fearful, protective?
- Are they under stress?
- Are their senses distorted?
Remember fight, flight, or freeze. Stress hormones change perception. Tunnel vision, heightened hearing, adrenaline—all affect choice.
The decision is the pivot point of the scene.
Step 4: Act
Fiona:
Action changes the scene.
Once your character acts, the environment shifts—and the loop begins again.
Observe the new situation.
Orient to it.
Decide.
Act.
This constant loop drives plot momentum.
Sensory Writing: Bringing Readers Into the Scene
Judith:
Don’t write, “She saw him and he was a creep.”
Instead, show us the bile rising in her throat. The prickle at the back of her neck.
Use the senses:
- Smell
- Taste
- Touch
- Sound
- Intuition
Readers should feel present in the scene.
Fiona:
Smell is especially powerful. It’s neurologically tied to memory.
Instead of “She smelled cookies,” try:
The scent of chocolate chip cookies wrapped around her like a childhood hug.
That single sensory detail evokes warmth and memory.
And sensory contrast is powerful. You can build comfort—and then rip it away.
Playing with the Loop
Fiona:
You can also disrupt the loop for tension.
Imagine Barbara receives flowers at work. She assumes they’re from a man she likes. She orients toward romance and happiness. Then she reads the card—it’s from a stalker.
Her orientation flips.
That emotional whiplash reveals her hopes—and her fears.
Practical Application
Alessandra:
I work with many new authors, and one common mistake is writing how they would react, instead of how their character would react.
A Navy SEAL won’t respond like someone who’s never faced danger. Your character’s backstory must drive the loop.
Final Thoughts
Fiona:
For me, the OODA loop is second nature because of my counseling background. But even experienced writers can use it intentionally to strengthen a weak scene.
If a decision feels flat, ask:
- What did the character observe?
- How did they interpret it?
- What internal shift led to that action?
It adds dimension.
Judith:
With experience, you may not consciously think through each letter—but if a scene isn’t working, this model is an excellent diagnostic tool.
It’s simple. It’s practical. And anyone can use it.
Alessandra:
Thank you both. This was fascinating. We’ll share links to Judith and Fiona’s websites and the handout in the comments. If you enjoyed today’s session, check out more First Draft Friday content at authors.ai.
Thanks for joining us!
