© 2018 Brandilyn Collins

Often authors build stories solely on conflict. But conflict means opposition to something desired. So first ask: What is the protagonist’s Desire that will drive choices and actions and build the story? Even if you are a pantser, the answer to this question can keep you from writing scenes you may ultimately delete.

Your character’s Desire must be:

Stated as an active verb.

A state-of-being verb is so general it won’t give rise to specific action. (“I want to be happy” or “I want to be loved.”)

In John Steinbeck’s tragedy, The Pearl, Kino and Juana live in poverty with their baby, Coyotito. When Kino finds “the greatest pearl in the world,” his Desire arises. It’s not merely “I want to be rich.” It’s based on an active verb: “I want to sell the pearl for its proper value so I can raise my family from poverty.”

Very specific.

Note Kino’s three-pronged Desire. (1) To sell the pearl (2) for its proper value (3) so he can raise his family from poverty. Each specific prong can lead to conflict—opposition against that prong.

Exactly correct.

The slightest mistake of intent may at first seem minor, but it will lead to a very different story, just as two angled lines begin together, then grow farther apart.

Kino’s Desire sets him on a course that he will pursue no matter what. First he finds himself in danger because others want to steal the pearl. Then he loses his house and fishing boat. His wife tells him to throw the pearl into the sea because it’s bringing them evil. But Kino remains obsessed with selling it. Next, he finds that he can sell but at a low price, for buyers want to cheat him. So he must go on a journey with his wife and child to find the right buyer. On the journey he places himself and his family in even more danger from those who would steal the pearl. Why doesn’t he see this is a bad choice? Because of his strong Desire. The fact that one prong focuses on bettering his family sets up the novel’s irony. His obsession to provide for them by selling the pearl ends up costing what little they had—a house, their boat, and finally, Coyotito’s life. Only then, with his family utterly ruined, does Kino abandon his Desire and throw the pearl back into the sea.

Excerpted from Getting Into Character: Seven Secrets A Novelist Can Learn From Actors. Brandilyn’s workshop, “The Four Ds—Desire, Distancing, Denial, and Devastation,” at the Mid-South Christian Writers Conference will fill in more detail on this topic.
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Brandilyn Collins is a best-selling novelist of over 30 books, known for her trademark Seatbelt Suspense®–fast-paced, character-driven, with myriad twists and an interwoven thread of faith. Promotion for her first book, A Question of Innocence (true crime), landed her on national TV and radio, including the Phil Donahue and Leeza talk shows. Brandilyn’s awards include the ACFW Carol (three times), Inspirational Readers’ Choice, the Inspy, Christian Retailer’s Best Award (twice), and Romantic Times Reviewers’ Choice.