Episode 47 - Get 'em off the couch! Goals motivation and passion as the driving forces for your characters

The Creative Writer's Toolbelt

Oct 15 2015 | 00:13:00

00:00 / 00:13:00

Show Notes

Jeanne Cavelos, the Director of the Odyssey Writing Workshop says that the number one piece of advice she gives to writers is this: give your character a goal. It's so easy for us to create pet characters who just sit on the couch, docile and useless in our story. We may love these creations but they slow the narrative, and bore the reader. So how do we get our characters engaged, and working with our story not against it? Simple, we follow Jeanne's advice and give them a goal (or goals), as well as some strong motivation, and a driving passion as part of who they are.

Other Episodes

Episode

March 07, 2015 • 00:13:01

Episode 30 - Hit the ground running: how to write a great opening line

How do you start a story? With a compelling opening line, of course. In this episode we will look at how you can write...

Episode

January 24, 2015 • 00:15:13

Episode 27 - What is the guiding principle behind your story?

What's the most important thing in creating a plot and story development? It's knowing your guiding principle, or 'Controlling Idea' as the master of...

Episode

January 31, 2017 • 00:22:14

Episode 91 - Stay on target! How to write a great action scene.

For this episode I am again joined by Jessi Rita Hoffman (jessiritahoffman.com). Jessi is a former publishing house editor-in-chief and award-winning magazine editor now...