Narrative Motivation: How to Write Characters That Will Resonate with Readers

Learn how to harness the power of Narrative Motivation to write rich and compelling characters that will make your next novel a smash hit.

What makes a story compelling? Not plot, not action, but narrative motivation. Narrative motivation can be understood as the intricate interplay between a character's external desire, their "want," and their internal need that often runs counter to it. Characters drive stories, and not the other way around. By exploring the concept of want versus need in your characters, you will create a powerful narrative motivation that will resonate with readers and keep them engaged throughout the story. In this article, I will delve into the intricacies of want versus need, using the example of the character Jean-Luc Picard in the film Star Trek: First Contact to illustrate the concept. I’ve also included a second example using my own novels. If you stick with this article to the end, I have included a worksheet to help you define your main character’s narrative motivation and how it will unfold throughout your story.

In non-fiction, the concept of narrative motivation remains equally crucial. J…