1 Revealing Question You Can Ask to Find Your Character's Story Goals

Revealing your character's story goals helps you to create more challenging obstacles against them and more powerful conflict. 

1 Revealing Question You Can Ask to Find Your Character's Story Goals

By Matthew L. Hart

Writer & Humorist

Author of:

Uncle Matty's Halloween: Jokes, Bits & Anecdotes

"Nearly all men can stand adversity, but if you want to test a man's character, give him power."

- Abraham Lincoln

On my journey to becoming a Master Storyteller, I've noticed just how difficult it is for me to create challenging obstacles against my Protagonist.

You may have had this same problem. But, I think I've solved it!

Over the course of late night writing marathons and several gallons of coffee, I have found I can make it easier for myself, and make things harder for my characters, once I've clearly identified what my character's story goals are by answering this 1 revealing question.

I hope it helps you find your character's story goals, too.

Here is the 1 Revealing Question You Can Ask to Find Your Character's Story Goals

THE ONLY QUESTION YOU NEED TO ASK IS: What does my character think they need to make them happy, right now?

This question reveals the outer character's story goal and hints at the inner character's story goal. 

The outer character story goal, or "A" Story, is something that the character (Protagonist) wants to have, or do, but thinks they actually need, to make them happy, right now. 

The inner character's story goal, or theme, is what the Protagonist actually needs to become truely happy. It's what the story is "really" about.

The want in the "A" Story, should be disguised as a need to the Protagonist, so they will throw all their ambition towards attaining it. Even better if it is high risk and a detriment to themselves or others around them. 

The Protagonist will do whatever it takes to get that car, that promotion, that super model, or rescue that kitten. Even if it means compromising their personal values.

Now, my goal as the author is to use what the Protagonist wants as a trap to give them what they actually need.

Pretty twisted, right? Kind of puts religion into perspective. 

As the author, I don't want to give my Protagonist what they want because, what they want is actually going to be bad for them.

Use the seven deadly sins as a model for your outer character story goal. Envy, gluttony, greed, lust, pride, sloth, and wrath.

For Example:

There is a child. (Protagonist)

There is a parent. (Antagonist) 

The child's story goal is to eat candy for breakfast. (gluttony)

The parent's story goal is to keep the child healthy. 

So, the parent will do everything in their power to prevent the child from eating the candy for breakfast. 

The parent will:

•  hide the candy in a cabinet, up high out of the child's sight and reach. 
• Put up a baby gate to block the child's entry into the kitchen. 
• Even put them in a playpen and 
• hire a babysitter to watch their every move.  

"Try as they might, the child will never get to eat that candy for breakfast!"

But, the child will do whatever it takes to eat that candy for breakfast.

• They will see their chance to escape when the cat breaks something in another room and the babysitter is distracted.

• They'll make a rope out of their bedding and climb out of the playpen.  

• Use the bouncy chair to knock down the baby gate and 

• catapult themselves onto the counter. 

• where they'll open the cabinet, and access the candy. 

At this point, there are three endings possible.

1. The babysitter catches the child right before they eat the candy. (foiled)
2. The child falls off the counter, bumps their head and realizes that the candy wasn't worth it after all. (fails)
3. Or, the child gets the candy, eats it for breakfast and feels sick. Only to discover that the candy wasn't what they hoped it would be. (succeeds)

Ultimately, no matter which ending the story takes, and because I'm a benevolent author, the child will be getting oatmeal for breakfast. We will all feel satisfied because eating oatmeal for breakfast will give the child the greatest, long-term, positive growth.

Think of your reader.

Your character's outer story goal is the reason they want to read your story. Your character's inner story goal is what the reader will take away from having read your story.

Hopefully this 1 revealing question you can ask to find your character's story goals will help you to write better obstacles against your Protagonist.

Which one of the seven deadly sins do you find yourself writing the most about?

SHARE YOUR BEST OBSTACLES CAUSED BY YOUR FAVORITE DEADLY SIN IN THE COMMENTS BELOW

Continue your journey:

This Wireless Keyboard Just Topped My Wish List (blog post)

Learn To Write Funny (Blog Posts)

Or, hop over to my YouTube Coin Channel:

Matthew The Great Coin Roll Hunter

*I am an Amazon Affiliate
and this blog uses Amazon Affiliate links.

This Writing Tool Develops Dynamic Story Structure

This writing exercise was discovered from
The Writer's Toolbox by Jamie Cat Callan

This Writing Tool Develops Dynamic Story Structure

By Matthew L. Hart

Writer & Humorist

Author of:

Uncle Matty's Halloween: Jokes, Bits & Anecdotes

"Great things are done by a series of small things brought together."

- Vincent Van Gogh

I am now going to introduce you to another tool in The Writer's Toolbox called,

The Protagonist Game

What is a protagonist?

My definition of a protagonist is, the main character of a story who typically makes the decisions, finds the solutions and actively drives the story forward to some conclusion that effects this character the most, more than any other, by the end of the story.

What will you need to get started playing The Protagonist Game?

The Writer's Toolbox, of course!

Retrieve the:

Three minute sand timer

Four Protagonist "palettes"

64 page booklet for instruction

Now, lets play, The Protagonist Game!

Each Protagonist "pallette" has a name on it:

"Protagonist"

"Goals"

"Obstacles"

"Action"

We will spin the wheel on each pallette to reveal different combinations for each aspect of the story plots.

Using the sand timer, we will then write for three minutes about each aspect of the plot.

Ready to spin? Then, here we go!

Our Protagonist pallette, reads:

"Liz, who reviews books"

Now we just write about our protagonist. Think about questions, like:

What does Liz look like?

Where does Liz live?

What book is she reviewing?

Is Liz single or married?

How's that working out?

Basically, let's create Liz's status quo and introduce her to our reader.

I'll write with you. Ready?

GO!

"You wouldn't call Liz a "book worm." Not only did she not look the part, she'd probably kick your ass. She didn't go to the gym, either. Her athletic physique brought on too much unwanted attention. Besides, nobody really likes being distracted while they worked and, working was all she ever did. Liz did her best work at home. She made a nice office in the corner of her modern apartment with the centerpiece as a beautiful treadmill desk. She never tracked miles, only page counts. After all, her livelihood was dependant on her reviewing two books a week for an independent publishing house."

Times up.

Now that we know who Liz is, what her home life is like, what her work life is like and how that's going for her, let's give her a challenge and spin the wheel on the Goals pallette.

The Goals pallette reads:

"to see the world"

Now, we flip the timer and try to set up and answer why Liz would want to see the world. If you're having a hard time, try thinking about why you would want to see the world. 

I'll keep writing. Let's go!

"Liz read many books about every subject. She reviewed fantasy fiction books about hobbits, dragons and wizards. She read action books about bank heists in exotic cities, with car chases through Italy or the streets of China. She even reviewed nonfiction books that studied the tribes in Africa, food cuisine in Europe and followed the daily rituals of Monks in the Alps. Liz read all these books on foot, walking steadily at her treadmill desk yet, never really going anywhere. She had photos, like post cards, pinned on the wall in front of her. They featured all the exotic places she hoped one day to visit. All Liz ever wanted was to see the world in the high definition of reality but, instead found herself settling for the grainy, black and white pages of imagination."

Times up!

Now that Liz has a goal, let's create an obstacle for her to overcome when reaching that goal. Lets spin that wheel on the "Obstacles" pallette!

The Obstacles pallette reads:

"Mother"

Now, let's think for just a moment how Liz's Mother could be an obstacle for her goal of seeing the world and flip that timer!

Ready?...Set?...

GO!

"The incessent beeping put a halt to Liz's walk. It was 3 o'clock on a Tuesday. "Visit mom" popped up on her digital calendar. It was raining again. Liz was surprised she expected anything else. This was Seattle, after all. The white cotton towel felt good against her skin as she crossed the room to freshen up. A cool shower kept her alert and dress clothes sent her on her way. She didn't even notice the drive across the city as she pulled up to her Mother's apartment an hour later. She used her key to let herself in. "Hey, Mom." Liz said as she approached her sickly mother. The only greetings she got in return were the muffled puffs from an oxygen machine. "How are you feeling, today? Are you ready for your Doctor's appointment?" Liz asked and was answered with a smile and a weak nod. Looking after her ailing mother once a week was the mortar in her routine. She had no plans to see the world today."

And...TIME!

Alright! We are almost there. Now, there is nothing left to do but force our protagonist to take some action towards her goal. For that, we'll spin the wheel of the  "Action" pallette and bring this story home.

The Action pallette reads:

"gets on television"

Let's take just a moment to think about how our protagonist might be able to get on television and flip that timer.

NOW!

"Liz spent a lot of time waiting for her Mother's dialysis and would read beside her bed while her Mother slept. She was too weak to talk and Liz felt it best to let her rest. She finally gave herself permission to grab a coffee in the cafeteria. While she was there, she spotted one of the nurses reading a book she reviewed months ago and couldn't help herself but to ask, "Excuse me, Miss?" The nurse's name tag read, Maria. She looked up pleasantly. "Yes?" Liz pointed at the book. "I couldn't help to notice the book you're reading." Liz was excited to see if her review matched that of actual readers out there. "Do you like it?" She continued. "Oh, very much." Said, Maria. "I just love these romantic novels. I've always wanted to see Rome but, well, my patients are here. Please sit down." Liz took Maria up on her offer. "I know the feeling." Liz sympathized. "I hope you're not here for your own sake." Maria asked. "Oh, no. I'm waiting for my mother. She's in dialysis right now." Maria put her book down. "So sorry to here that. I hope she's alright." Liz smiled. "We should all be so lucky." The two laughed. Maria suggested to Liz, "If you're interested in reading, I'm actually part of an online book club called 'Liz Reads'. You should check it out. She does very good work." Liz couldn't believe what she was hearing. 

Times up!

Nooooooooo!!!

So, this will happen sometimes. You'll be writing along when, all of a sudden, the timer runs empty. But, this is supposed to be fun, remember? And, if you want to keep going, I suggest you do.

The tools are designed to get you writing, so if you think you've got something more to write at any stage of the game, just go with it! 

I would like to finish up how Liz gets her way onto television and begins taking action on her goal of seeing the world but, maybe it would be fun to let you try at it.

Finish the scene I've written between Nurse, Maria, and Book Reviewer, Liz, and see if you can figure out a way to get Liz on television to reach her goal of seeing the world.

Did you follow along with this game and writer your own story?

SHARE YOUR STORY FEATURING LIZ, WHO REVIEWS BOOKS,

IN THE  COMMENTS BELOW

Continue your journey:

This Wireless Keyboard Just Topped My Wish List (blog post)

Using The Writer's Toolbox (Blog Posts)

Or, hop over to my YouTube Coin Channel:

Matthew The Great Coin Roll Hunter

*I am an Amazon Affiliate
and this blog uses Amazon Affiliate links.