Goals Motivation and Conflict

[rflong]

I've been trying to do a bit of brainstorming in preparation for this author pitch next week, mainly to have some notes on the novel I can refer to easily and quickly without leaving long "silent" seconds between a question and my response. Em yeah, that's the plan anyway.

One of the things I have been looking at is Debra Dixon's Goals Motivation and Conflict, the (extreme) basics of which I have tried to summarize here. Why here? *shrugs* I like to share.

Character - WHO?

Goals - WHAT?
long term                         -                short term
ambition, dreams                    immediate needs

purpose in life


Motivation - WHY?
the reason for the character to act in a particular way
based on their goals and their personality.


Conflict - WHY NOT?
External                             -                     Internal
problems beyond a                     wants vs. needs/duty
character's control which
block the way to their
goal and must be solved



Now of course I need to apply it to To Regain Heaven. Its deceptively simple until you do that. It's a good exercise though as it makes you question things you have taken for granted about the characters. What is your hero's goal? How does that differ from the heroine's? How does this difference create conflict between them? I added duty as an Internal conflict as duty is a major motivation for my hero.

So, that's the first step.

What else can I do to prepare for this thing? There are five of us pitching, btw and I'm going to go first.

Em.... where did I put that paper bag again?????

R

refs: http://www.debradixon.com/gmc.html
http://nopurpleprose.blogspot.com/2005/11/goal-motivation-and-conflict-oh-my.html

Comments

[namelessarchon.livejournal.com]

Another wonderful post, and I will put this in my writing file. Oh, and wouldn't it be great if you could get this book bought just a few days before your 23rd Birthday *wink*

[rflong.livejournal.com]

Good to hear.

And my *ahem* 23rd birthday... er, yeah, should be a blast! *wink*

Sadly the pitch is next week, after the birthday, so no joy there.

[aliettedb.livejournal.com]

Nice resources--though for your pitch, I'm a bit worried that it's too methodical and that they won't want a by-the-numbers approach (though it's definitely great for outlining).

Have you tried imagining what the blurb on the back of your novel would be? They usually try to make those attractive and understandable to everyone, so that's a good start.

Fingers crossed!

[rflong.livejournal.com]

Oh I should explain - the competition entry was the blurb-type pitch so she already has that. What I am expecting is to answer any questions she has on the plot and characters and to elaborate on it.

That said, I'm not entirely sure *what* I'm expecting! :D

I would use this for character development/outlining, so I thought it might help me clarify.

Fingers definitely crossed.