Munday-Wanting
(I normally just post this over in my writing journal and then link here, but since there's only one, I just thought I'd post it directly over here. ^_^)
A bit of writing advice I was given once is that the single most integral thing you have to know about your character is what they really, truly, want in life. There's always something, no matter how powerful a character may be, how wealthy, or how established in their field, career, personal relationships, or family. A character who has no want is dead on the page, merely a supporting character in someone else's story.
So. What's your character want?
For me, it really depends on the character that I'm working with. Ishetalia, for example, wants to save the world from the Apocalypse but refuses to sacrifice Michael, whom she fell in love with. While on the other hand, Sylvana (character from another story) mainly wants revenge to begin with, but then she goes through a transformation and realizes that revenge isn't what it's all about. And for a last example, I'll use Tony, who wants to have fun and be the next Indiana Jones.
I have written short stories where whom you think is the main character and what the story is all about, really isn't. I don't find these confusing, but it is interesting to see a supporting character take the forefront.
A bit of writing advice I was given once is that the single most integral thing you have to know about your character is what they really, truly, want in life. There's always something, no matter how powerful a character may be, how wealthy, or how established in their field, career, personal relationships, or family. A character who has no want is dead on the page, merely a supporting character in someone else's story.
So. What's your character want?
For me, it really depends on the character that I'm working with. Ishetalia, for example, wants to save the world from the Apocalypse but refuses to sacrifice Michael, whom she fell in love with. While on the other hand, Sylvana (character from another story) mainly wants revenge to begin with, but then she goes through a transformation and realizes that revenge isn't what it's all about. And for a last example, I'll use Tony, who wants to have fun and be the next Indiana Jones.
I have written short stories where whom you think is the main character and what the story is all about, really isn't. I don't find these confusing, but it is interesting to see a supporting character take the forefront.