By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Establishing a character’s goal is a writer’s quest to discover what motivates the story player into action. The goal originates in personality, culture, worldview, and past experiences. That might seem intimidating for the writer, but a definition of external and internal goals clears a path for the writer.

External Goal

An external goal is something the character may shout on the rooftops. He/she doesn’t mind who knows; it’s outside the character and is viewed as attainable. A little hard work might be needed, but the character is willing to make sacrifices. Achieving the goal has the potential to make the character happy, satisfied, or fulfilled. Sometimes all three. The pursuit gives the character purpose, a reason to climb out of bed in the morning or lose sleep at night.

Internal Goal

An internal goal is something no one is aware of except the character, and it can be a worthy or unworthy endeavor. Sometimes the reader doesn’t know the internal goal. The character is purposely concealing it or unconsciously pursuing it. The internal goal is emotional and drives the character’s thoughts and actions. Worth noting, the reader cares more about the internal dilemma than what is required to achieve the external.

For example, a young woman pursues medical school to specialize in pediatrics, an external goal. But her internal goal is to show her abusive brother, who financially supports her, that she can take care of herself. The emotional stakes of the internal goal fuel the external. The young woman will continue to be abused by her brother until she stands up to him regardless of her status as a doctor.

The antagonist will do anything to stop the character from attaining the goal. If the antagonist doesn’t care who knows his/her plans, it’s an external goal. If befriending the protagonist is a means of accomplishing a sinister purpose, then the goal is internal.

Every novel must have a main external and internal goal. The steps to achieve those form the storyline or plot through every scene. In addition, each scene goal moves the character closer to obtaining the main goal and must be connected to the overall ambition or endeavor. The internal always occurs first, for the external cannot happen without recognizing an emotional deficit and coming to terms with the problem.

Where does a writer begin to establish a character’s main external and internal goals?

• Understand the character’s personality.
• Understand how backstory/life experiences affect the character’s view of him/herself and the world.
• Understand how inherited traits influence a character either positively or negatively.
• Understand the character’s wants and needs and why.

Are you ready to establish your character’s goals?

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards, the Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, an active member of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. DiAnn continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, YouTube, LinkedIn. or her website: diannmills.com