In Part I of this series, we examined some ways to dig deeper into your characters’ motivation and figure out their stakes in the plot. Now let’s go even farther by asking your characters:
How will what you do affect other characters?
Will that change the situation for you as the protagonist? Will it make it easier or harder? For every action there is a reaction. It’s physics. The same thing happens in real life. When we do something, it inevitably affects other things in our world, other people in both intended and unintended ways. How will the protagonist’s choices affect her world? How will that reaction to her actions affect her and her situation? Think through the consequences. There should be a logical chain reaction. Or not. Depending on the type of story you are planning to tell.
What opposition or antagonistic force are you facing?
Is it a villain, nature, self, or some other opposition that is blocking you from achieving your ultimate goal? Or is it something in the distance that needs to be foreshadowed? What will stand in your way in the end? This could be the end of this scene, chapter, or the story. Look ahead and anticipate the pinch points in the story.
Why are you doing what you are doing?
What is your reasoning? Why does this action make sense to you, even when it doesn’t make sense to any other character? Can it be tied to your misbelief or fatal flaw? Is it framed in that context so the reader understands how that decision was made? Or is it a random action not rooted in character? If so, rethink it and try again.
What will make you change your plan and actions?
What would it take to change the path you are on? How will that change get you closer to what you desire? What will it require for you to achieve your goal? What fear or truth will you need to face?
Why do you think you will win?
Why are you so sure? What happens if you don’t? What will you do then? What will be you willing to do?
How do you see this resolving?
Will you get what you want in the way you want? Not likely. That wouldn’t make for a very good story. The whole point is for the protagonist to fail and then have to give up his or her misbelief to get their heart’s desires or hold fast to the misbelief and fail. Those are the only two options. Grow and win (at least in some way) or remain steadfast and sacrifice your desire (at least in part).
What does this all mean?
To you? To the story? To the reader? What is the theme hidden behind this journey? What can the reader take away from your journey? What do you learn along the way? What do you overcome?
Where will you go from here?
What’s next in your story and life? How is your life different now from when you began?
Questions are a writer’s best friend and best tool. Ask lots of them of yourself and your characters. Dig deep to get at the truth behind each action and choice. There should be a sound reason for what your characters do. They shouldn’t be simply reacting without thought. If they are, it means that the plot is happening to them and is not the result of their journey. Your readers need to know why they do what they do and how their actions come about. Ask questions and find the meaning. Without that, your story won’t matter. It will be nothing more than a series of events that no one will care about or remember. You need to dig deeper.