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Wants evolve

David Gane
David Gane
1 min read

When you write about a character, it is good to understand what they want. All of them have one goal, and it is the thing that drives them through the story.

This wanting never stops. Even after your character gets their goal, they'll keep wanting it. Look at Macbeth. He got his crown and then spent the rest of the play trying to kill anyone who stood in his way of keeping it.

But want can evolve. Characters can realize that the thing they wanted isn't what they wanted. Think of any romance story where the main character realizes that they're actually interested in some other character (usually the best friend).

In these cases, it's not about the object of interest and affection. There's usually something deeper going on.

Perhaps they wanted the feeling of being loved. Or loving someone that reciprocates it back. Or something else

In the end, all characters want something. As a writer, your goal is to dig deep enough to figure out what it is.

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Co-writer of the Shepherd and Wolfe young adult mysteries, the internationally award-winning series, and teacher of storytelling and screenwriting.

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