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There’s a lot of advice out there today that says the plot drives a story, and while this can be true to some degree, there’s far more to a great story than just picking the plot.
In fact, without not just the right characters but also having a deep understanding of why they do what they do…
…there’s no convincing way for the plot to come alive.
And if the plot doesn’t live and breathe with your audience in a way that sucks them in and won’t let them go even after the story’s over…
…then you need to ask yourself why you’re even writing the story at all.
But there’s also more to it than just developing your character in terms of their background, their experience and their motives.
You have to also understand something about why people do what they do, and the main reason people do what they do…
…is because of what they believe.
This realization has come from my own personal deep dive into psychology and human behavior for over 20 years and applying it directly in my business, professional and personal life.
Because it turns out that beliefs drive everything—even things that are often seen as “evil” in both the world and the story.
Sure, some people can’t help but operate this way, but if that’s all they have, then they’re as much of a stock character as the Fairy Godmother.
Maybe characters like that are part of your world just like they are in ours.
But those aren’t the characters that captivate your audience.
The characters that captivate your audience do so not just because they’re relatable. The do so because they seem…real.
Most of us aren’t really taught much directly about people and why we do what we do, and I think that’s one of the reason there’s so many stories with potential that end up never really going anywhere.
It’s not because the idea wasn’t good…or the plot was bad.
It’s because the characters didn’t behave like real people.
And one of the truths about people is that every interaction we have with the world is driven by what we believe is true and right.
It’s really that simple.
So if your story’s stuck right now, then maybe it isn’t about your characters or your plot in the traditional sense.
Maybe it’s that you don’t really know what your characters believe – what their worldview really is – and as a result?
It’s obvious why you might be stuck with a particular scene or a story.
You know it seems forced. You know it needs to happen.
But you don’t understand the underlying beliefs, rationale and motivation that ultimately make it inevitable.
So, if that’s the case, then I’d suggest you read the Breakthrough Scene Blueprint™, starting with The What on Page 9.
And if you don’t already have the Blueprint, you can grab it here:
Because your characters will tell you everything you need to know about how your story can unfold.
All you need to do is learn to listen.
To unlocking your story’s soul,
ast
—
Andrew S. Townley
Creator of the Perpetual Story System™