Characters · Tip 18 of 82 · 4 min read
What Does Your Character Want (and Fear)?
A character who wants something badly, and fears something deeply, will drive your whole story.
Imagine a car with no engine. It looks fine, but it just sits there. A character with no want is the same. A want is the engine that makes your story go.
Make the want specific
"Ellie wants to be happy" is too fuzzy. What would make her happy? Pick something you could take a photo of: a trophy, a lost dog coming home, a seat at the cool table.
Okay 😐
Ellie wanted to have a good summer.
Wow! 🤩
Ellie wanted to jump off the high diving board before the pool closed on the last day of summer. She had climbed the ladder eleven times. She had climbed back down eleven times.
Now add a fear that gets in the way
The best fears stand right between your character and their want. Ellie wants to jump, but she's scared of heights. Now every page has a little tug-of-war inside her.
Omar wanted to sing the solo at the school concert more than he wanted anything. But every time he opened his mouth in front of people, his voice came out like a squeaky gate.
Ask "why?"
Ask why your character wants it. Maybe Ellie wants to jump because her big brother called her a baby. Now the want has a reason, and readers care even more.
- What does my character want? (Make it specific.)
- Why do they want it so much?
- What are they scared of?
- How does that fear block the want?