{"id":558827,"date":"2023-01-06T16:00:07","date_gmt":"2023-01-06T16:00:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/?p=558827"},"modified":"2024-08-12T14:46:15","modified_gmt":"2024-08-12T13:46:15","slug":"character-goals","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/character-goals\/","title":{"rendered":"Character Goals: Choosing Your Characters\u2019 Aims"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>When it comes to the stories that stay with us, it\u2019s often not a compelling plot, or even a book\u2019s premise, that we remember: it\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/creating-sympathetic-characters\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">how the characters made us feel<\/a>, particularly when they achieved their hard-won goals.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Because character goals are less visible than gorgeous prose and slick metaphors, they get less attention than they should, despite how they shape our experience.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Today, that\u2019s what we\u2019re here to remedy.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In this article, we\u2019ll cover:&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>What are character goals?&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Why are character goals important?&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Internal vs. external character goals&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Character goal story examples&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>How to create goals for your characters&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A definitive list of character goals&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Frequently asked questions&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>So, what exactly are character goals, and how do you choose the aims of <a href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/how-to-introduce-characters\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">characters<\/a> in your stories?&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\r\n<section class=\"promo-block  alignfull\" id=\"\">\r\n    <div class=\"content-container\">\r\n        <div class=\"promo-block-container\">\r\n                            <div class=\"promo-image-container\">\r\n                                            <a class=\"\" href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/first-500-novel-competition\/\" target=\"_blank\">\r\n                                        <img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Jericho-Alternating-Blocks-918-x-600-px.png\" alt=\"\">\r\n                                                                <\/a>\r\n                                    <\/div>\r\n                        <div class=\"promo-text-container\">\r\n                <div class=\"promo-text-wrapper\">\r\n                    <h2>The First 500 Novel Competition is back for 2025!<\/h2>                    <div class=\"wysiwyg-container\"><p>Send us your first 500 words and be in with a chance to win incredible prizes and take part in our live final. <\/p>\n<p>Entry is \u00a310 or free for our Premium Members.<\/p>\n<\/div>                                            <div class=\"cta-container\">\r\n                            <a class=\"cta-btn has-background has-thriller-background-color\" href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/first-500-novel-competition\/\" target=\"_blank\"><span>ENTER NOW<\/span><\/a>\r\n                        <\/div>\r\n                                    <\/div>\r\n            <\/div>\r\n        <\/div>\r\n    <\/div>\r\n<\/section>\r\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"What-Are-Character-Goals\"><strong>What Are Character Goals?&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Character goals are the objects of a character\u2019s wants or needs, and what their actions aim to achieve.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When we talk about character goals, this usually refers to a story\u2019s main character (a.k.a. the protagonist), though<a href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/how-to-write-supporting-characters-in-fiction\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> other characters<\/a> can and do have their own agendas and goals, too.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>A character&#8217;s goals can be externally and internally driven \u2014 preferably, both.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In her book on writing craft, <em>Story Genius<\/em>, Lisa Cron defines these difficult goals \u2014 because if they were easy, there would be no story, right? \u2014 as the \u2018story problem\u2019. This problem isn\u2019t just the \u201csingle, escalating problem\u201d a main character can\u2019t avoid, it\u2019s one that \u201ccauses the protagonist to struggle with a specific internal conflict\u201d, with that <a href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/character\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">character\u2019s development<\/a> changing their worldview by the end.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Ideally, we want both external and internal goals because they carry more weight. Cron states that \u201cstory is about \u2026 what the protagonist has to learn, to overcome, to deal with <em>internally<\/em> in order to solve the problem that the <em>external<\/em> plot poses.\u201d This is true of the stories that stay with us; they resonate, not because of the compelling plot, or even how unique the concept is, but because we identify with the main character and the meaning they make from what happens to them.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But just why are <a href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/how-to-name-characters-top-tips-and-methods\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">character<\/a> goals important? To answer this, let\u2019s look at what happens when we take them away.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"833\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/creating-character-goals.jpg\" alt=\"group-of-graduates-creating-character-goals\" class=\"wp-image-559011\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/creating-character-goals.jpg 833w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/creating-character-goals-600x360.jpg 600w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/creating-character-goals-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/creating-character-goals-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/creating-character-goals-640x384.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 833px) 100vw, 833px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Why-Are-Character-Goals-Important\"><strong>Why Are Character Goals Important?<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Picture this, in any category or genre: you\u2019re reading a book with a main character that you like enough, with a plot that\u2019s interesting enough, and the writing\u2019s fine. But for some reason, you\u2019re just not <em>loving<\/em> this book. It\u2019s not gripping you. Why? You decide to give it one last chapter. Finally, at the end of that chapter, it hits you: the main<a href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/static-vs-dynamic-character\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> character<\/a> is coasting. The book\u2019s plot is action-packed, but this character is just being propelled from scene to scene and doesn\u2019t really seem to mind, or care. In fact, you don\u2019t actually know what the main character cares about at all.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Cool\u2026 Except that you\u2019re experiencing the story through this main character\u2019s eyes. If they don\u2019t care, you don\u2019t care. You\u2019re not invested. And now, you\u2019re about to toss that book right out the window.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now imagine that it\u2019s <em>your<\/em> story, and someone else is reading it. See the problem?&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>According to Lisa Cron from earlier, \u201cthis is where writers inadvertently fail \u2026 they write and rewrite and polish an impressive stack of pages in which a bunch of things happen, but none of it really matters\u201d.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The reason why is this: without internal and external character goals, it\u2019s not a story.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This is why character goals are so important, because they connect the stuff that happens in your story to why we should care ie. because your main character cares. Personal goals give characters agency, a reason to slog forward against all odds. Sometimes the story might start by giving your character a good shove first, but eventually, they\u2019ll need to take the wheel. When they do, it\u2019s generally because a key obstacle has arisen in the story\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/what-is-a-central-conflict\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">central conflict<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>When your character&#8217;s goal and obstacle are equally strong and opposed, this is where the magic happens, as it ratchets up tension, suspense, and in turn, the conflict. No one will be tossing your story out the window, now!&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So, we know why character goals are so crucial to great storytelling, and we\u2019ve talked about internal and external goals. Now let\u2019s dig a little deeper into them.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Internal-Vs-External-Character-Goals\"><strong>Internal Vs. External Character Goals<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Internal Goals&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Internal goals come from inside main characters, and are motivated by their wants and needs \u2014 which can be different. For example, in a dystopian story, your character\u2019s \u2018need\u2019 may be survival, but their \u2018want\u2019 may revolve around never having found love before the apocalypse (sob).&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The simplest yet broadest breakdown of personal goals that I\u2019ve seen is psychiatrist Dr. William Glasser\u2019s &#8216;<a href=\"https:\/\/wglasser.com\/quickstart-guide-to-choice-theory\/#basic-needs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Choice Theory<\/a>&#8216;, which lists 5 basic needs:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Survival&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Love and belonging&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Power&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Freedom&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fun&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re looking to pin down a character\u2019s goal, thinking big picture like this can be a good place to start (more on this later).&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Circling back to Lisa Cron again, one of the ideas she proposes in her book is that not only does each main character have a goal, but they also have what she refers to as an \u201cimpossible goal: to achieve [their] desire and remain true to the fear that\u2019s keeping [them] from it\u201d. What Cron is saying is that, deep down, there\u2019s an internal obstacle that\u2019s self-sabotaging your protagonist, and it\u2019s your job as a writer to develop their<a href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/character-arcs\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> character arc<\/a> so that they can grow by the story\u2019s end. Which is brilliant!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yes, it\u2019s another conflict to manage, but it also ups the stakes in a way that adds layers and breeds authentic <a href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/character-development\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">characterisation<\/a>, so your character is deeply three-dimensional. This can prove to be exciting if your main character is an unreliable narrator \u2014 think the protagonist Tyler Durden in <em>Fight Club <\/em>by Chuck Palahniuk, and <em>that<\/em> finale.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>External Goals&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>External goals originate from outside main characters, often in the form of some other character (eg. the antagonist) or organisation\u2019s visible goals.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>These external character goals are where the surface events of the plot come in, with the goal being a one-sentence summary of what <a href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/protagonists-antagonists\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the main character<\/a> is trying so hard to do, like save the world from <a href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/traits-of-a-well-written-villain\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">the big bad villain<\/a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>External goals can also include less personified objectives like finding an item, winning a war, or reaching a destination.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"833\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/what-are-character-goals.jpg\" alt=\"man-on-an-adventure-what-are-character-goals\" class=\"wp-image-559012\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/what-are-character-goals.jpg 833w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/what-are-character-goals-600x360.jpg 600w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/what-are-character-goals-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/what-are-character-goals-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/what-are-character-goals-640x384.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 833px) 100vw, 833px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Character-Goal-Examples\"><strong>Character Goal Examples&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><em>The Fellowship Of The Ring <\/em>By J. R. R. Tolkien&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Tolkien\u2019s <em>The Lord of the Rings<\/em> series is a good one to start with, as most people have either read the books, watched the films, or at the very least, seen the memes \u2014 and know that \u201cone does not simply walk into Mordor\u201d. Yet, this is exactly what main<a href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/how-to-write-characters-not-cliches\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> character<\/a> Frodo Baggins\u2019 external goal is: to journey to Mordor\u2019s Mount Doom and toss the One Ring into its fiery pit.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Frodo\u2019s internal goal is trickier. On the surface, you could say that it\u2019s his struggle not to succumb to the ring\u2019s terrible power; but really, in the book, it feels more about fulfilling Bilbo\u2019s legacy as a way to thank and honour his uncle.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><em>Wuthering Heights<\/em> By Emily Bront\u00eb&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Apart from being a brooding gothic romance on par with <em>Romeo and Juliet<\/em>, Bront\u00eb\u2019s seminal classic is also a fantastic example of internal goals fuelling external goals, and those goals changing over time.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Enter Heathcliff, a homeless child adopted by the Earnshaws, whose external goal is to survive usurping the family\u2019s son as the new favourite. Heathcliff\u2019s internal goal is love and belonging, which he finds with the Earnshaws\u2019 daughter Catherine. But when Mr. Earnshaw dies and that son relegates Heathcliff to lowly servitude \u2014 and Catherine agrees to marry someone else as marrying Heathcliff would degrade her status \u2014 Heathcliff\u2019s external goals take a turn. He vanishes, returning years later with unexplained wealth, but Catherine is already married and dies after his return. Heathcliff\u2019s love then morphs into vindictive obsession, as he takes revenge on anyone who got in their way\u2026 Or in his way, more generally.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><em>Her Majesty\u2019s Royal Coven<\/em> By Juno Dawson&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Times-bestselling author Juno Dawson\u2019s 2022 hit is an urban paranormal tale about a UK government department of witches (cov.uk as their website? Utter genius). This book is another great example of blending an internal and external goal to drive the story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The main character is ex-HMRC witch Niamh, whose external goal is to protect young trans witch Theo from HMRC \u2014 whose leader thinks teen Theo is the prophesied \u2018sullied child\u2019 who\u2019ll ruin them. Cleverly aligned is Niamh\u2019s internal goal, which is to let people in after losing her husband to war a decade earlier, starting with fostering teenage Theo and ending in letting herself find love again.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><em>The Martian<\/em> By Andy Weir&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Weir\u2019s thrilling debut science-fiction novel (and 2015 film directed by Ridley Scott, featuring Matt Damon) tells the story of American astronaut Mark Watney. He\u2019s stranded on Mars, communications with Earth are down, and his crew thinks he\u2019s dead. Not surprisingly, Mark\u2019s external goal is to survive until he can be rescued, with his internal goal equally about survival, just more in terms of mental health and never giving up in the face of adversity.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong><em>Hamlet<\/em> By William Shakespeare&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Lastly, Hamlet, like Heathcliff, is another example of a main <a href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/how-character-flaws-impact-your-story\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">character<\/a> with complex, richly woven internal and external goals.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Shakespeare\u2019s play starts simply. Hamlet sees a family member\u2019s ghost, his father\u2019s, who tells him to avenge his murder as committed by Hamlet\u2019s uncle (who\u2019s become king and married Hamlet\u2019s mother).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Hamlet\u2019s external goal is clear. His internal goal, however, is <em>not<\/em> wanting to kill his uncle, and he gives a multitude of reasons why throughout the story that essentially boil down to Hamlet being a thinker, not a killer.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Yet this comes undone in the final scene, where Hamlet\u2019s uncle moves to kill him \u2014 and, furious after all is revealed, Hamlet finally fulfils his deadly vow.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"833\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/using-character-goals.jpg\" alt=\"older-couple-on-a-picnic-using character goals\" class=\"wp-image-559013\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/using-character-goals.jpg 833w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/using-character-goals-600x360.jpg 600w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/using-character-goals-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/using-character-goals-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/using-character-goals-640x384.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 833px) 100vw, 833px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"How-To-Create-Goals-For-Your-Characters\"><strong>How To Create Goals For Your Characters&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>1. Pre-Plan Your Character Goals&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>I say pre-plan as I\u2019ve tackled character goals after drafting a story before, and believe me when I tell you it\u2019s <em>way<\/em> easier if you start with them!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Not only do goals give you a main character\u2019s internal compass, but they also tend to pre-populate that character\u2019s responses to the story\u2019s events. This means you\u2019re less likely to feel as though you\u2019re beating a path to the plot as you write it, and more likely to find your <a href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/character-driven-vs-plot-driven-stories\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">character drives the story<\/a> \u2014 which is infinitely less stressful.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Going back to our definition of external goals, these will generally be pretty obvious and dependent on your story\u2019s concept: solving a murder, winning a competition, stopping a war etc.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>My biggest tip is to put that goal upfront as soon as possible, so readers know what they\u2019re in for. Check out <a href=\"#List-Of-Character-Goals\">our list of goals in the next section<\/a> for some ideas.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>2. Include Internal Goals&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>As you may have noted, internal <a href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/character-quirks\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">character <\/a>goals are massively important, as they help fully realise your main characters. Internal goals are easiest to pre-plan when you have either just a character, or a character and a good story idea, as leading with this means that you can jump straight into goals and character arcs. But all is not lost if you\u2019ve been focusing on your story idea first.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Here, the trick is to ensure your main character begins with an internal goal that aligns with or is upended by the plot, and therefore the external goal they\u2019re working towards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>I\u2019ll give you an example: in my novel, the protagonist must travel to a new city and find an ancient object. However, her internal struggle is that she doesn\u2019t believe that she\u2019s the right person for the job; she\u2019s afraid of what it will mean if she succeeds. This fear adds a layer of complexity, as well as upping the stakes as she\u2019s not just fulfilling the plot \u2014 she\u2019s self-actualising to prove herself wrong, and growing by the story\u2019s conclusion as a direct result.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>3. Plan Your Plot Points&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>OK, so you\u2019ve pre-planned both your character\u2019s internal and external goals. Great! Now it\u2019s time to put them into action. Plotters will love this part, but if you\u2019re a <a href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/different-types-of-writers-which-one-are-you\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">pantser<\/a>, it\u2019s definitely worth your while, too \u2014 perhaps just in less granular detail.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your <a href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/what-is-a-plot-point\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">plot points<\/a> will depend on what kind of story structure you\u2019re planning to follow (three acts? Five acts? One of Christopher Booker\u2019s seven basic plots?), but the key is to pin down a timeline so that each major step in your main character\u2019s external goal, for example, happens when you need to amp up the story\u2019s suspense. This helps to space out and pace significant events while still meeting each act\u2019s milestones.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>4. Consider Including Scene Goals&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019re a pantser, this may be a plot too far, but scene goals work to ensure that your main character\u2019s external goal is on track, and they can also be used as a checklist for their internal goal and its development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And just to clarify \u2014 your character\u2019s external goal can and may change (their ally was the baddie all along, what a twist!), so if that\u2019s the case, scene goals will need to align with their internal goal instead.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>To do this, use an outline of your plot points to drill down into a list of story scenes. For each scene, then note your main character\u2019s internal and external scene goals; which should be related to their overarching story goals. You can also do this for <a href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/secondary-characters-definition-examples\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">secondary characters<\/a> eg. if they have POVs.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>5. Write!&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>You\u2019ve done the hard work on character goals. Congratulations! If you\u2019re inspired, by all means, get writing. If you want to give everything a little time to settle before you kick off, that\u2019s OK, too. Just don\u2019t forget to write!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"List-Of-Character-Goals\"><strong>List Of Character Goals&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Internal Character Goals&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Realise potential (and overcome issues)&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Find family&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Find a place to belong&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Find love&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Live happily ever after&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have fun&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Be remembered&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Find fulfilment&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"833\" height=\"500\" src=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/character-goal.jpg\" alt=\"teenage-girl-celebrating-character-goal\" class=\"wp-image-559014\" srcset=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/character-goal.jpg 833w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/character-goal-600x360.jpg 600w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/character-goal-300x180.jpg 300w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/character-goal-768x461.jpg 768w, https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/01\/character-goal-640x384.jpg 640w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 833px) 100vw, 833px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>External Character Goals&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Defeat evil&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Solve a crime&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Free someone&nbsp;(eg a family member)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Get revenge&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Stop a war&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Protect the nation\u2019s interests&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Challenge the status quo&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Start a revolution&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Find \/ steal an object&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Travel somewhere new \/ old&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Get a job&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Start a business&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Get rich \/ famous \/ powerful&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Win a competition&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Finish a project&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Get married \/ divorced&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Have a baby&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recover from illness&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Settle a debt&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Make amends&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Survive&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Self-sacrifice&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Live forever&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Break a curse&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Change \/ save the past&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Fulfil a prophecy&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Change \/ save lives&nbsp;<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Save the world&nbsp;<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"Frequently-Asked-Questions\"><strong>Frequently Asked Questions<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What Are Some Character Goals?&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>Character goals can be internally or externally driven. Internal goals arise from inside a character, and are motivated by what they want or need. External goals come from outside a character, and are what they must undertake and usually succeed in by the end of a story.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Examples of character goals include: overcoming self-doubt, finding love, solving a crime, defeating evil, finishing a project, getting revenge, or saving the world.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>How Do I Determine My Character\u2019s Goal?&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>To determine a character\u2019s goal, try starting with psychiatrist Dr. William Glasser\u2019s \u2018Choice Theory\u2019, which details 5 basic human needs: survival, love and belonging, power, freedom, and fun. Depending on what your story is about, these should give you a jumping off point for a character goal that\u2019s internal or external.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h4 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>What&#8217;s The Difference Between A Character\u2019s Goal And Their Motivation?&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h4>\n\n\n\n<p>A character\u2019s goal is the object of their desire and what they\u2019re trying to achieve, and can be internal or external in nature. This differs from<a href=\"https:\/\/jerichowriters.com\/character-motivation-all-you-need-to-know\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"> a character\u2019s motivation<\/a>, which is the actual reason for their goal in the first place, and what drives them on. A character\u2019s motivation is a result of the character\u2019s life and guided by foundational beliefs, or misbeliefs \u2014 like seeking power due to an earlier loss of control.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Choosing Character Goals<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As we\u2019ve learnt, the stories that shape us do so because characters shape us \u2014 connecting us to their wants and needs, and to the authors who guide their hands.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If we\u2019re to learn and master such acts of modern magic, it\u2019s up to us to create characters, with internal and external goals, that grow to leave readers spellbound.&nbsp;&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\"\/>\n\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>When it comes to the stories that stay with us, it\u2019s often not a compelling plot, or even a book\u2019s premise, that we remember: it\u2019s how the characters made us feel, particularly when they achieved their hard-won goals.&nbsp;&nbsp; Because character goals are less visible than gorgeous prose and slick metaphors, they get less attention than<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17576,"featured_media":559010,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[23],"tags":[27492],"class_list":["post-558827","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-character-creation","tag-character-builder"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v27.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Jericho Writers<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Character goals are at the heart of every story, as they determine the stakes. 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