Understanding Your Character: What They Want and Need

A want is your character’s conscious goal. It’s what they can articulate:

• “I want to win the case.”
• “I want to find my sister.”
• “I want to become king.”

A need is your character’s deeper, often unconscious requirement for growth:

• To learn to trust others.
• To forgive themselves.
• To let go of control.

The want drives the outer journey (plot). The need drives the inner journey (character arc).

Powerful fiction comes from the tension between the two. Often, the character spends most of the story chasing what they want, only to discover that what they truly needed was something else entirely.

When you take the time to understand what your character wants and needs, several benefits emerge:

1. Deeper character connections: By understanding what drives them, you can create a more authentic connection with readers.
2. Better conflictConflict is the struggle a character goes through in pursuit of a goal. It's what makes it harder for her to accomplish a task or make a decision in the novel. It's at the core of every scene and what has to be overcome for the character to achieve her goal. It can be both external (a plot conflict) or internal (a character arc conflict). Basically, conflict is what makes things emotionally harder for the protagonist to make choices that affect the plot of the novel. The opposition driving the entire plot of a story and presenting obstacles to the protagonist on a macro and micro level. resolution: Knowing their desires and fears will help you craft conflicts that challenge them in meaningful ways.
3. Increased reader engagement: Characters who feel real and relatable are more likely to captivate audiences.

1. Define the want in concrete terms. Your character’s want should be:
   • Specific (“win the national baking competition”)
   • Measurable (we can see if they succeed or fail)
   • Active (it requires choices and effort)
   • Ask: If a journalist followed my character around, what goal would they say this person is chasing?
2. Discover the wound behind the want. Most wants are shaped by a past hurt or fear.
   • The character who wants power may fear being hurt or abandoned.
   • The character who wants approval may fear being unlovable.
   • Ask: What painful experience or belief is hiding underneath this goal?
   • That wound points you toward the need.
3. Articulate the need as a lesson or truth. Needs live in the realm of themeTheme is the unifying idea of a story, tying everything together. It gives larger meaning to the events and people in the novel. An idea or point at the heart of a story. A theme can be exemplified by the actions, utterances, or thoughts of a character in a novel.:
   • “I need to accept that I am worthy of love.”
   • “I need to tell the truth, even if it costs me.”
   • “I need to recognise that vulnerability is not weakness.”
   • Phrase your character’s need as a sentence that begins with:
     • “They need to realise that…”
     • “They need to learn that…”
4. Put want and need in conflictConflict is the struggle a character goes through in pursuit of a goal. It's what makes it harder for her to accomplish a task or make a decision in the novel. It's at the core of every scene and what has to be overcome for the character to achieve her goal. It can be both external (a plot conflict) or internal (a character arc conflict). Basically, conflict is what makes things emotionally harder for the protagonist to make choices that affect the plot of the novel. The opposition driving the entire plot of a story and presenting obstacles to the protagonist on a macro and micro level.. Drama happens when:
   • The want pushes the character away from the need.
   • The strategies they use to get what they want actually make their life worse until they face the deeper issue.
   • Examples:
     • They want independence, but they need community.
     • They want revenge, but they need to let go.
     • They want to protect everyone, but they need to accept they can’t control everything.
   • Design scenes where each step toward the want increases the pressure of the need.
5. Map the inner turning points. Think about your story in broad stages and tie each to the want/need conflictConflict is the struggle a character goes through in pursuit of a goal. It's what makes it harder for her to accomplish a task or make a decision in the novel. It's at the core of every scene and what has to be overcome for the character to achieve her goal. It can be both external (a plot conflict) or internal (a character arc conflict). Basically, conflict is what makes things emotionally harder for the protagonist to make choices that affect the plot of the novel. The opposition driving the entire plot of a story and presenting obstacles to the protagonist on a macro and micro level.:
   • Beginning: Character is convinced their want is the answer. They are blind to the need.
   • First half: Pursuing the want “works” a little, then causes problems. Glimmers of the need appear.
   • Midpoint: A moment of clarity or disillusionment. They get a glimpse that the want might not be enough.
   • Second half: The cost of clinging to the want rises. The need becomes harder to ignore.
   • Climax: They must choose: keep chasing the want the old way, or sacrifice something to embrace the need.
   • Ending: We see the consequence of that choice – growth, tragedy, or bittersweet change.
6. Show the need through behaviour, not speeches. Readers believe change when they see it in actions:
   • Who the character chooses to trust.
   • What they are now willing to risk.
   • What they let go of at the end.
   • Instead of having them say, “I guess I needed to forgive myself,” let them make a choice they couldn’t have made in chapter one.
7. Tie need to themeTheme is the unifying idea of a story, tying everything together. It gives larger meaning to the events and people in the novel. An idea or point at the heart of a story. A theme can be exemplified by the actions, utterances, or thoughts of a character in a novel.. Your character’s need is often the clearest expression of your story’s themeTheme is the unifying idea of a story, tying everything together. It gives larger meaning to the events and people in the novel. An idea or point at the heart of a story. A theme can be exemplified by the actions, utterances, or thoughts of a character in a novel..
   • If the need is “learn to forgive,” your themeTheme is the unifying idea of a story, tying everything together. It gives larger meaning to the events and people in the novel. An idea or point at the heart of a story. A theme can be exemplified by the actions, utterances, or thoughts of a character in a novel. brushes against mercy and grace.
   • If the need is “accept who you are,” your themeTheme is the unifying idea of a story, tying everything together. It gives larger meaning to the events and people in the novel. An idea or point at the heart of a story. A theme can be exemplified by the actions, utterances, or thoughts of a character in a novel. touches identity and authenticity.
   • Ask: If a reader summed up the lesson of this story in one sentence, what would it be? That’s usually close to the need.

As you delve into understanding your character’s wants and needs, be mindful of these common pitfalls:

1. Giving your character a want but no need: If your protagonist just chases a goal and ends the story essentially unchanged, the plot may be busy but emotionally flat.
   • Fix: Ask, What belief about themselves or the world has to be challenged for this story to matter?
2. Making the need too abstract or vague: “Needs to be happy” or “needs to be whole” is too mushy to dramatise.
   • Fix: Make the need specific and actionable:
     • Instead of “needs to be happy,” try “needs to stop chasing status and value their real friendships.”
     • Instead of “needs to be whole,” try “needs to accept the part of themselves they’re ashamed of.”
3. Letting want and need be the same thing: If the outer goal (want) and inner growth (need) are identical, there’s no friction.
   • Example: they want love and need love – there’s no inner conflictConflict is the struggle a character goes through in pursuit of a goal. It's what makes it harder for her to accomplish a task or make a decision in the novel. It's at the core of every scene and what has to be overcome for the character to achieve her goal. It can be both external (a plot conflict) or internal (a character arc conflict). Basically, conflict is what makes things emotionally harder for the protagonist to make choices that affect the plot of the novel. The opposition driving the entire plot of a story and presenting obstacles to the protagonist on a macro and micro level..
   • Fix: Add a deeper layer. Maybe:
     • They want love, but need to stop performing and be honest about who they are.
     • They want success, but need to stop equating success with their worth.
4. Revealing the need too early and too neatly: If your character fully understands their need in act one, you rob the story of discovery.
   • Fix: Let them be wrong for a very long time. Use partial insights, denial, and backsliding. Real change is messy and often resisted.

5. Tacking the need on at the end: Sometimes writers decide the “lesson” after the fact and bolt it on with a neat speech or tidy moment that doesn’t grow organically from the story.
   • Fix: Seed the need from the opening:
     • In their backstory.
     • In their relationships.
     • In their first big mistake.
   • The ending should feel like the natural consequence of who they were, what they did, and what they refused or finally chose to face.

As you work to understand your character’s wants and needs, keep these key takeaways in mind:

1. Diversity is essential: Avoid creating characters that feel similar or lack distinct personalities.
2. Be authentic and specific: Characters should have unique desires, fears, and motivations.
3. Emotional intelligence matters: Understanding your character’s emotions will help you craft a more nuanced story.
4. ConflictConflict is the struggle a character goes through in pursuit of a goal. It's what makes it harder for her to accomplish a task or make a decision in the novel. It's at the core of every scene and what has to be overcome for the character to achieve her goal. It can be both external (a plot conflict) or internal (a character arc conflict). Basically, conflict is what makes things emotionally harder for the protagonist to make choices that affect the plot of the novel. The opposition driving the entire plot of a story and presenting obstacles to the protagonist on a macro and micro level. resolution is crucial: Ensure conflicts align with their wants and needs, creating tension that resonates with readers.
5. Character development is ongoing: Characters should evolve throughout the story, reflecting growth and change.
6. The want is the external engine; the need is the internal engine: You need both for a satisfying, layered story.
7. ConflictConflict is the struggle a character goes through in pursuit of a goal. It's what makes it harder for her to accomplish a task or make a decision in the novel. It's at the core of every scene and what has to be overcome for the character to achieve her goal. It can be both external (a plot conflict) or internal (a character arc conflict). Basically, conflict is what makes things emotionally harder for the protagonist to make choices that affect the plot of the novel. The opposition driving the entire plot of a story and presenting obstacles to the protagonist on a macro and micro level. between want and need creates drama: The more chasing one makes the other harder, the richer your character arc becomes.
8. Your character’s need expresses your themeTheme is the unifying idea of a story, tying everything together. It gives larger meaning to the events and people in the novel. An idea or point at the heart of a story. A theme can be exemplified by the actions, utterances, or thoughts of a character in a novel.: Nail the need, and you clarify what your story is about at a deeper level.
9. Change is proven in choices, not words: Show the need through transformed behaviour at crucial moments, especially the climax.
10. Design your plot around the inner journey: Don’t just ask, “What happens next?” Ask, “How does this challenge their false belief and push them toward – or away from – what they really need?”

Understanding your character’s wants and needs is an essential aspect of crafting compelling stories that resonate with readers. By following these guidelines, avoiding common mistakes, and keeping key takeaways in mind, you’ll create authentic characters that captivate audiences. Remember to reflect on their backstory, motivations, values, and long-term goals as you develop a deeper understanding of what drives them.

In real life, we chase jobs, relationships, achievements, and recognition – the things we want – believing they’ll cure whatever aches inside us. Stories are powerful because they let us watch someone else make our mistakes in a heightened, concentrated form. The character’s journey from want to need is, in many ways, our own.

When you sit down with your next protagonist, don’t stop at “What do they want?”

Ask also:

• “What hurt are they carrying?”
• “What lie have they built their life around?”
• “What truth will cost them something to finally accept?”

That truth is their need. And once you have both, you don’t just have a plot – you have a story.