Helping Writers Become Authors
S17:E06: Your Character's Three Choices: Character Goal Examples for Writers
Mar 3, 2025
Delve into the world of character goals and discover how to create engaging narratives. Learn about the three types of goals: fundamental, primary, and secondary, and their influence on character evolution. Explore how choices shape character identities and motivations, ultimately affecting their arcs. Unpack the relationship between character goals and fundamental lies, revealing the depth of character development. This discussion emphasizes the crucial interplay between goals and choices for effective storytelling.
18:47
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Quick takeaways
- Understanding the three levels of character goals—fundamental, primary, and secondary—enables writers to create more dynamic and relatable characters.
- Exploring a character's fundamental choices helps writers connect their abstract motivations to concrete actions, enhancing narrative depth and authenticity.
Deep dives
Understanding Character Goals
Strong character goals are crucial for storytelling, and the framework of fundamental, primary, and secondary goals can help writers create compelling characters. Fundamental goals define a character's core identity, while primary goals shape their immediate journeys, and secondary goals outline actionable steps taken to achieve these objectives. This layered approach enhances the authenticity of character motivations and actions, allowing for more dynamic storytelling. By integrating character goals with the story's plot and theme, writers can develop characters that resonate deeply with readers.
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