What is one question many new writers hate to hear?
——> What does your main character want/need?
If you’ve ever filled out a query form on an agent or publisher’s website, or requested to work with an editor, you’ve probably come across this question. And many times the reaction from the writer is to slump into their chair, sign heavily and possibly even grumble, “I don’t know. It’s a story.”
Many times a writer wants to talk about the plot or the setting or what is different about their character, but they feel overwhelmed by the question about what the character wants. Oh, why not? They’ve (the writer) just finished an entire manuscript and they don’t feel they have the energy to write about the wants and needs of the character.
After all, isn’t that something the reader will figure out on their own?
“Why not just read my book,” the writer might even complain.
But the truth is, your main character wants something and as the writer, you should know what that is. Even if you aren’t explicitly taught this in a class, most likely you’ve written the story from the point of this want.
What I think the problem is sometimes, is that we see the obvious want and we think it’s …not enough. Or silly. And so we dismiss this as the want.
I’m beginning to think that in every good book a want/need (or both according to some great storytelling experts) is presented almost right away for the reader, so that we can understand where the story is going.
Right now I’m reading two books, The Henna Artist by Alka Joshi and Momento Mori by Céasar Pérez Gellida. Both are very good and very different, but I can tell you what the main characters want.
Lakshmi wants her own house and to not be tied to a husband. She’s willing to work herself hard to be independent.
The detective wants to catch Alejandro. Alejandro wants to feel something.
The wants that your characters have don’t have to be huge. They don’t have to be noble. They don’t have to be life changing or earth shattering. The truth is, for a woman in the 1950s in India, the desire to own her own house would drive a woman to make certain decisions over others. It tells the reader what to expect and explains (without being boring) why Lakshmi is doing what she’s doing.
In a thriller, the detective always wants to prove that he/she can solve the case, right? And the murderer (even if a psychopath) also has some sort of want: vengeance, love, lust, a desire to be seen or feel.
I’m afraid so many writers hate this question because secretly they don’t think their character’s want is “noble” enough or “big” enough for a story. I thought that when I was starting out. I overthought the entire exercise and ended up more confused and overwhelmed than before. But really, people’s actions and decisions are driven by small wants and needs, and a story should start with the character wanting one and either being victorious, realizing the want isn’t actually what they needed in the first place, or losing out and needing to continue on (leading to sequels.)
So don’t be afraid of the question. It isn’t as difficult as we sometimes make it out to be. Embrace the story you wrote and the way your character is. Do they want to be the best gardener? Do they want to be chosen for the dance team? Do they want to get revenge? Do they want money? Perhaps a change in their surroundings? Perhaps a new partner? A father’s love? A mother’s pearl necklace?
Any want they have is ok. Accept their want and the story that unfolds surrounding that want. And as long as you work hard on tracking the character through that want, you have a story!
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