From the moment our characters begin speaking to us, they are conveying crucial information about who they are and what is important to them. As we take notes and establish their needs and what they like and dislike, we will inevitably begin to create the plot of the story. One of the early factors that we can establish about our characters is what motivates them. A character’s motivation is the momentum and drive that propels them toward something—a goal, a dream, a love interest. The more we can define this propulsion, the more successful we are in crafting the obstacles that keep them from fulfilling their goals and dreams, leading to a final and satisfying resolution.
GETTING STARTED
When looking at your novel’s protagonist, the character’s motives not only serve as the driving force to propel the story, but also the reader’s interest. It’s the hook that makes a reader empathize with your character because they want to know what happens, if they
