Writing Excuses

20.07: Lens 3 - Identity 2 - Motivation & Goals

Feb 16, 2025

Discover the significance of character motivations in storytelling. Explore how deeper desires create relatable, complex characters that drive narratives. Learn techniques to effectively convey motivations and enhance reader engagement. Dive into the unique interplay between personal identity and a character's goals, as well as the challenges that arise from pursuing those goals. The discussion inspires writers to examine multiple perspectives for richer storytelling.

21:11

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Quick takeaways

Understanding characters' deeper motivations enhances relatability and complexity, driving the narrative forward through their struggles and desires.

Conflicting goals are vital for character development, creating internal tension that enriches the story and engages readers emotionally.

Deep dives

Understanding Character Motivation

Motivation plays a crucial role in shaping relatable and dynamic characters. Characters should have motivations that extend beyond the immediate story's plot, allowing readers to connect with their deeper desires and struggles. For instance, Luke Skywalker’s desire to be a fighter pilot serves as a surface-level goal, but it also reflects his deeper yearning for friendship and belonging. This layered approach to motivation can generate richer character arcs and drive the narrative forward in meaningful ways.

Intro

3min

Exploring Identity and Motivation in Storytelling

2min

Unpacking Character Motivations

7min

Character Motivation and Narrative Depth

4min

Unpacking Character Motivations

10min

Exploring Identity and Motivation in Writing

2min

Do you know what your characters want? And is there a deeper desire underneath that one?

A character's motivations can help make them "relatable," drive the story's momentum, and create obstacles. Additionally, characters/ desires can serve different parts of themselves, which can help make them complex and multifaceted. But what is a good character motivation and how do you share it with your readers?

Homework: Write a scene from a secondary POVs character. Pick a concrete goal for them that is NOT the protagonist's goal. How does that change the way they react in the scene?

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Credits: Your hosts for this episode were Mary Robinette Kowal, Dan Wells, Dongwon Song, Erin Roberts, and Howard Tayler. It was produced by Emma Reynolds, recorded by Marshall Carr, Jr., and mastered by Alex Jackson.

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