When a character starts out a story, he or she has a GOAL. They want SOMETHING. And the reason they want this is because they want things to change.
The character's goal represents an improvement over their current circumstances, or a return to a situation when things were better than they are now. This is why they hold onto their goal so tightly when they experience setbacks and turmoil throughout the story.
No matter what the goal is, there is an emotional reason underlying it.
My favorite example for this topic is "Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris" because it's so simple and straightforward, yet emotionally appealing. It's a book I read a zillion years ago, and I remember it being made into a movie starring Angela Lansbury.
The title character is a charwoman who wants to buy a dress from a French designer, and she's worked very hard to save the necessary money. Her goal is to go to Paris and buy a designer dress.
Now when you think about it, it's not likely she'll have any opportunities to wear that dress, because her lifestyle is a simple one that doesn't include gala events. The garment will probably hang in her closet, never to be worn. Is it really worth scrubbing floors all day long for something so completely frivolous and useless?
For me, not so much. (That's why credit cards were invented after all.)
For this character, though, the answer is an emphatic YES.
What's important to remember is that dress represents beauty, and wealth, and a life that Mrs. 'Arris aspires to, even when she knows the dress will be the only thing she can acquire of that life. Owning that dress means she is more than a simple charwoman.
So you can see how the emotional underpinning of a goal is the driving force for a character's actions. Even if they don't consciously recognize this connection, it is still what spurs them on, even in the face of adversity. It's not a simple, "it would be nice if. . ." kind of thing. It's a yearning, a strong one. It motivates the character. In some cases, it defines them.
Once you know what a character's goal is, and WHY it is important to them, it is easier to plot your story, because now you know what they are willing to do to achieve that goal. Later, when the character discovers their underlying emotional need has been fulfilled, or it has changed along the way because of their growth, they are finally able to relinquish that initial goal. Even when it has motivated their actions throughout the book.
Recently I couldn't seem to figure out my heroine in the story I was working on. I knew what she wanted to do (retrieve something), but I didn't really understand why, or what that item represented to her. I also couldn't find the right name for her, so I kept auditioning different names, and character traits, when what I actually needed to do was understand WHY she wanted this particular item so badly.
It finally occurred to me, in one of those random moments that make me believe writing is 85% magic and 15% voodoo. And once I realized why she was so intent on this goal, and what it represented to her, her name instantly occurred to me, along with her personality.
She wants to be free of the burden of taking care of her family's craziness, along with the business they want her to run. Even if she can only have this freedom for a short time, she wants to experience a carefree lifestyle, and she decides she can accomplish that by retrieving this missing item.
So now when I get stuck, I'm going to interrogate my characters, to make sure they tell me ahead of time what it is they want, deep down, so that I can make sure they get it.
Eventually.
Before that, they're going to have to work hard. And they're going to experience some adventures they never would have anticipated when they set out to achieve their goals. There will be growth, and change, as well as emotional satisfaction.
And while that's happening, hopefully there will be an entertaining experience for readers as well.
So what drives your characters? Are they aware of why they want what they want? What are they willing to do to achieve their goals? In a "Goal Cage Match", who would win--you, or your characters?
Man, I hate the goal stuff. Honestly, truly, hate it. I can usually come up with a fair bid of an emotional goal...but the actual physical manifestation of it is a slippery beast that I drop constantly.
Ask Terri.
I think, if matched with my characters, we'd team up and take out the refs. ;-)
Posted by: Maureen | August 30, 2010 at 12:41 AM
LOL, Maureen, I know what you mean. I do things fairly intuitively, but sometimes I have to stop and analyze because it's not working the way I need it to.
I'm glad to know you and your characters are such a fierce team! I might have to hire you guys one day. LOL
Posted by: Donna Cummings | August 30, 2010 at 07:29 AM
Well, I don't think my characters argue with me. Not really. I just chatter with them and we generally work it out. Since they all believe in breaking the rules whenever possible, or a least perverting them a little, we'd take on the ref. I'm sure of that.
Much more fun that way!
Posted by: Maureen | August 30, 2010 at 02:22 PM
I think you are always going to have fun, no matter what happens. :) And I like your rule-breaking characters -- can't wait to see them take on the publishing world!
Posted by: Donna Cummings | August 30, 2010 at 04:25 PM
It finally occurred to me, in one of those random moments that make me believe writing is 85% magic and 15% voodoo.
My favorite line. Absolutely true.
I don't know what my characters want. This story would probably be a lot easier to write (*laughs hysterically at word 'easier'*) if I did.
Posted by: Hellion | August 30, 2010 at 04:25 PM
Oooh, Hellion, talk about voodoo -- we were both commenting at the same time! Eeerie. LOL
I'll join you in the hysterical laughter (emphasis on hysterical!) Maybe my characters just want to be the center of attention. . .does that work? LOL
Posted by: Donna Cummings | August 30, 2010 at 04:30 PM
Well, if your characters aren't the center of the attention, then...well...whose story would it be?
;-)
Posted by: Maureen | August 30, 2010 at 06:09 PM
LOL -- Maureen, I meant I could get away with my characters not having goals, because they'd be happy being the center of attention. :)
Guess I didn't explain it very well. LOL
Posted by: Donna Cummings | August 30, 2010 at 07:30 PM
As opposed to their goals being the center of attention?
See, this is where I get the whole chicken and egg thing chasing itself in my skull... Which came first? The goal or the characters?
Which is why I fight seeing them as different...even to the point of deep denial that they can be seen different. Or defining.
Posted by: Maureen | August 30, 2010 at 09:44 PM
I think you're making it harder than it's meant to be. :) Your characters want something, and there's an underlying emotional reason for it.
And when Hellie mentioned she didn't know what her characters wanted, I suggested maybe they just wanted to be the center of attention--the reason for the story, so to speak.
So don't fret! Let your characters be who they are, and enjoy the journey. That's the important part. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | August 30, 2010 at 10:25 PM
I just finished giving a workshop on this very topic! Great post, Donna.
Posted by: Misa | August 31, 2010 at 02:20 PM
Misa, I wish I'd had a chance to take the workshop! I had to work it out the hard way. LOL
Thanks for coming by. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | August 31, 2010 at 03:02 PM
Geez, Donna, where were you when I started my first manuscript? This would have saved me the agony of the revisions that took MONTHS! I should have just put it aside, but I just loved it too much :)
Great post!
Posted by: Erin Kelly | August 31, 2010 at 11:25 PM
Erin -- LOL -- I wish I'd known this when I'd started my first manuscript too! Those characters were pretty goalless, I have to admit. But they were fun to be around, and they helped me get to the point where I understood what they needed. So they served MY goals! LOL
I'm glad you enjoyed the post. :)
Posted by: Donna Cummings | September 01, 2010 at 07:33 AM