Unlock Gripping Stories: The Power of What Your Character Wants
What your character wants
A few days ago, I had just completed a 50-minute swim, and was mingling with the throng of swimmers at the beach caravan, waiting for their cappuccinos. We jostled good naturedly, guessing the temperature (about 14 degrees?) and vis (couple of metres).
Muddled in among my group of swimmers were the ‘bobbers’, the dog walkers, scuba divers, paddlers and sun soakers. I was longing to cradle a hot cup between my freezing fingers, and I could almost taste the first flaky bite of my almond croissant. I was thirsty, hungry and chilled to my core.
I moved to make room for one of our group, stepping alongside a woman I’d never met. She turned and barked: ‘I was before you, as you well know.’
Now, I have to say, it was extremely difficult to tell who was waiting to order, who was waiting for the cappuccinos, and who was simply shooting the breeze. I’d never had this experience before. When the servers ask, ‘Who’s next?’, someone generally says, ‘Me,’ and that’s the good-natured end of it.
I was flustered and thrown. I’d not had a good week and I was feeling generally anxious. ‘I’m so sorry,’ I said. ‘Of course, go ahead.’
‘Sorry doesn’t cut it,’ she snapped, and her voice rose. ‘You knew very well what you were doing.’
My swimming friends intervened at that point. One put her arm around me, which was my undoing. I had no wish to order, largely because my voice wouldn’t work and I could no longer see. I sat down and tried to control my ragged breaths, watching the whale frolic just beyond the bouy.
What it showed me (when a hot coffee and a rusk miraculously appeared beside me) was what good friends I have. What it shows you, as a writer, is a core secret to unlocking gripping stories: the immense power of what a character wants. I hope it held you, and that you identified with the protagonist (me) and my urgent desire.
Why Character Wants Are the Engine of Gripping Stories
Had I wanted for nothing, needing neither the warm camaraderie nor the hot cup of coffee, the story of the hostile woman would have fallen flat. She would have mattered to nobody. You might, initially, have felt an idle curiosity but, when it became clear that she affected no one and that nothing was at stake, you would have yawned and stopped reading.
The point is that I wanted something badly: I was freezing and all I could think about was that boiling cup. This raw, relatable character want created immediate tension. And crucially, something – or someone – prevented me from getting what I wanted. This interplay is fundamental to compelling storytelling.
A Common Blind Spot: When Writers Forget What Their Characters Want
Even seasoned writers sometimes forget about the crucial role of what characters want. In our mentoring work and assessments at All About Writing, we come upon writers of fiction and memoir whose protagonists wander about through this situation and that – but without any deep sense of wanting something specific. This lack of clear character motivation can leave a story feeling aimless.
The Essence of Narrative: How ‘Wanting’ Creates Tension and Stakes
The more we work with writers and their stories, the more I’ve come to realise that ‘wanting’ is the very essence of narrative. If your character wants nothing, there’s no tension and, therefore, little point in reading further. There are no stakes to keep the reader invested.
It’s the basic principle of writing craft. Without a clear character want, there is nothing to drive us forward. There is no true story. Of course, if there’s no obstacle to what your character wants, there’s no story either. My obstacle had a thin mouth and a loud voice; the obstacles your characters face are key to their development and your plot’s progression.
Igniting Your Plot: The Transformative Power of Character Goals
As soon as a character wants something deeply – love, a place in the world, justice, revenge, or even just a moment of peace – the story will be driven forward by their attempts to reach their goal or gain their heart’s desire. This is how you build gripping stories that resonate.
Their desire doesn’t have to lead to high-paced action. Perhaps all they want is peace of mind, or relief from heartache. But if they care profoundly about their want, so will your readers. They will gain purpose, and so will the story. It will instantly gain momentum and reader engagement.
Look at my story. All I wanted was coffee but, if you identified with me, you cared about whether I got it. That’s the simple but profound power of what a character wants.
Put This Storytelling Power to Work: Workshops & Resources
Memoir Workshop and Writing Retreat: Crafting Your Life Story Around Desire
Joanne Hichens and I will carry you through this, and other necessities for a good memoir (including how to define what your characters – including your memoir-self – truly want), when we meet in Barrydale, in the Karoo, from July 4 to 6. We will equip you with the skills to write a readable story, drawn from your life, and give you the impetus to begin by focusing on core desires and narrative arcs.
From July 6 to 11, we will run a retreat for anyone who wants the time and space to write … anything. Fiction or non-fiction. We’ll be there for you, providing advice and feedback in daily one-on-ones on how to harness character wants to build gripping stories. Beyond that, your time is your own, with none of the distractions you deal with at home.
Find all the info on the Barrydale weekend and retreat here.
Free Resource: Define What Your Characters Want & Unlock Gripping Stories
Character Desire Worksheet: Defining What Your Characters Want
To help you apply this essential storytelling principle in your own writing craft, we’ve created a practical Character Desire Worksheet. This tool guides you through identifying your characters’ conscious and unconscious desires, crafting meaningful obstacles, and connecting these wants to your narrative structure. Whether you’re writing fiction or memoir, understanding what drives your characters will immediately strengthen your storytelling and help you unlock more gripping stories. Download this free resource and transform your character development today.
Download the Character Desire Worksheet →
Webinar Invitation: Celebrating Our Community’s Success
The Road to Publication: A Special Celebration Webinar
Date: 14 May 2025 | 17:00 BST / 18:00 SAST
This month, we’re thrilled to celebrate one of our own!
Join us for a special webinar featuring All About Writing alumna Bonnie Espie, whose darkly witty debut novel Making A Killing will be launched this May. Bonnie will be joined by acclaimed psychological thriller author Marina Auer (Single Minded, Double Edged and the soon to be released Three Echoes) and their publisher Stevlyn Vermeulen from Kwela Books.
Together, they’ll explore their writing journeys, the path to publication, and the creative process behind their compelling stories. Bonnie’s journey from All About Writing student to published author offers a particularly inspiring example of where dedication to craft can lead.
This is a unique opportunity to learn about the publishing process directly from authors and a publisher, with time for your questions. Don’t miss this celebration of literary achievement within our community!
Go Forth and Write: Harness the Power of Character Wants
Ultimately, the secret to unlocking gripping stories often lies in deeply understanding what your character wants. Make this a central question in your writing process. Explore their desires, the stakes involved, and the obstacles they face. When you tap into this fundamental power, your characters will leap off the page, and your readers will be hooked.
Jo-Anne
