Let’s Talk About: Motivation

You know, I’ve been thinking. (cue Scare Chord)

When it comes to me and my stories, I put a LOT of stock in my characters (like a lot of you Tropers, I’m guessing). And I think there have been times, through our own projects or just reading/watching the works of others, that a character has made or broken the entire experience. I’d argue that part of that comes from “motivation” — why they do what they do, and to some extent how they go about it.

So I thought I’d ask you all how you handle motivation — because as a teacher of mine once suggested, answering questions like these can help focus your writing. So here are a few I thought up:

• How do you define “motivation”?
• How do you use it in your story?
• How do your characters decide on, and respond to it? (For example, did a certain event or a certain person influence them?)
• Does his/her/their motivation change throughout the story?
• Do you think readers/viewers will stay interested in your character’s motivations? (For example, there’s nothing wrong with wanting some pals, but not everybody buys into stories about friendship.)

Just a few things to get you thinking. Say as much or as little as you feel like; I’m eager to see your opinions…and the occasional showcase of your characters.

What do you say, guys? Feeling a little…motivated?

What, you thought I could go without making a video game reference? Clearly you overestimate me.

edited 21st May '12 8:53:09 PM by Voltech44

To be brief, I consider motivation to be "the driving force behind a character's actions". A character can have multiple motivations though, and motivation can range from being abstract (control) to something concrete (ensure Finn's safety until the end of the semester).

The line between a motivation and a goal/objective is thin.

I really don't understand the question here.

Basically, the overall question is "what are your thoughts on motivation?"

Just think of it as a roundabout way of asking "what makes your character tick." Or, alternatively, if someone asked your character "Why do you do what you do?" you'd answer on their behalf.

Does that clear things up?

No, I got that much. I just don't understand how there's supposed to be any more complicated answer to this then something like "characters should have one".

Edit: That does clear it up, but it would have been much easier to understand if the thread was titled something like "What are your characters' motivations?" As of now, it sounds like it's asking for a general discussion on motivation, which seems confusing insofar as it's a pretty simple subject.

edited 21st May '12 9:19:20 PM by nrjxll

• How do you use it in your story?

My character's motivations are guiding factors and what ultimately drew the heroic group together. And in fact, motivation was how the characters pieced together the Big Bad's backstory and what he wanted.

How do your characters decide on, and respond to it? (For example, did a certain event or a certain person influence them?)

• Matthew decided his motivation a long time ago. Protect everyone he can and without regard for his own safety. His being with his friends, particularly Alina and Sorata, changed this and he has become a little more preservative about himself.

• Sorata is motivated by love and loyalty, though these will often clash. She decides on love in the end.

• And Shane is a complicated case. On the one hand, he is devoted to making sure the people he grew up with are safe. On the other, he wants to make his father proud. Furthermore, he is also trying to make sure that his racial group is safe from purges by either more fanatical Espers or the Mage's Association.

Does his/her/their motivation change throughout the story?

• Matthew's motivation slowly changes, and Nebiros, the Big Bad, has a wildly mutating motivation. First he wanted revenge on all those society pardoned for bullying him, then he wanted to kill people more fortunate than him, and then he wanted to destroy the world to make sure he was remembered. These are hints Nebiros is insane.

Do you think readers/viewers will stay interested in your character’s motivations?

• Yes. I think there is something particularly noble about someone who just won't give up, no matter how cruel and crapsacky the world is, no matter how many times it hits him, Matthew gets back up.