Today, let’s talk character development.

One of the most critical aspects of creating a deep, memorable, and relatable character is understanding what motivates him or her.

We are all motivated by different things to some degree, and sometimes to a great degree. Here are a few things to keep in mind or to ask yourself about your characters.

Are they more motivated by:

• ALTRUISM OR EGOTISM? (My Kora, for instance, is largely motivated by the thought of protecting and securing a future for her little brother). None of us are ever, I think, purely selfless, but as we grow and develop, hopefully we learn to act for the good of others as well as our own good.
• PEACE OR JUSTICE? Outside what I would call the Divine simplicity, peace and justice can be seemingly at odds. How willing is your character to go along to get along?
• PRACTICAL NEEDS/WANTS OR DEEPLY HELD PRINCIPLES? These don’t necessarily have to come into conflict, but it’s always a moment of truth when they do.
• REPUTATION OR AN INTERNAL SENSE OF HONOR?
• DEFENSE OF THE GOOD OR CHANGING THE BAD?
• GOING AFTER SOMETHING GOOD OR AVOIDING SOMETHING UNPLEASANT? Might it depend how comfortable or stable the status quo is?

You might also consider whether your character believes in an afterlife or not, in heaven and/or hell, and what impact that belief (or lack thereof) would logically have on their choices and motivations.

It can also be very revealing to try to honestly ask these questions of ourselves.

In the meantime, check out Kora’s character spotlight. She’s my protagonist in “The Crimson League: The Fight for Hope”