Give your characters something to pursue – something they desperately want. Do that, and you’ll create a far more interesting story.
Whatever they want, make sure it’s an external goal, something tangible and achieveable.
Put them through some hoops to get to it, but no matter how important it is – ensure they discover they don’t really need it before the end.
Getting what they want never gets them what they really need, and what they need is the important part.
Say your hero wants to rescue the princess (cliche, I know), but it happens (Luke Skywaker, anyone?). More than likely they’re going to do it (Luke does in fact rescue the princess).
However, is it what they need?
Do they really need prove something to themselves instead?
Maybe what they need is true love. Maybe its discovering or accepting something about themselves. Maybe its finally doing what they believe in.
Whatever they need, it will be internal.
Put simply:
- Wants are an external goal, but getting them won’t fulfil your characters.
- Needs are internal. When they fulfil their needs, the story is over.
It’s just another element to make your story more interesting and satisfying.
Read more about creating a writing/editing plan for your novel.