I plot.
All the time.
Just for fun.
I have a digital folder full of plots, many of which I’ll probably never use. Several of my writer friends tell me I’m crazy. They’d rather go to the dentist to get a cavity filled than plot their next novel.
But planning out a skeleton of a story is the best part of writing! I can see the whole thing in my head before I even start to write. Seeing the potential in a story gives me a writer’s buzz.
Before I start my 40-point beat sheet, there’s something important I have to figure out first.
What is my character’s want?
The want is the tangible goal that fuels their motivations. It should be possible to achieve, pushing them to take action and chase their dreams. I do this for all the major characters in the story.
Here are a few things to help you find their want:
Passion and Ambition: Does your character dream of becoming an artist, a scientist, or a fearless adventurer? Let their passion guide their actions throughout the story.
Longing for Connection: Does your character yearn for love, friendship, or a sense of belonging? Maybe they seek a deeper connection with family or long to mend broken relationships.
Pursuit of Justice: Does your character have a desire to right the wrongs of the world? Think about what they might be willing to do to make a difference.
Inner Fulfillment: Some characters hope to uncover their true purpose or find inner peace. This might include self-discovery, spiritual growth, or breaking free from social expectations.
Finding your characters’ want will help you come up with ideas for your plot — things you can throw in their way to prevent them from achieving their goal. This could include:
Obstacles and Challenges: Internal and external conflicts will test your characters’ courage, drive the story forward, and help them grow.
Choices and Consequences: The choices they make as they try to achieve their goal should have consequences. It might bring them closer to their desire or lead them down strange paths. But either way, it needs to be significant and meaningful.
Evolution and Transformation: Let your characters evolve as they pursue their wants. Whether they achieve their goals or not, their journey should be transformative.
Next time I’ll talk about how to find your characters’ need. Once you have a deeper idea of who your characters are, you’ll start typing out plots just for fun in no time! 🙂
Gaylene Wilson 