I need to stew about this for awhile, I would hate to see you put something in your book that you don't feel belongs. I don't think he has to vanquish anything, maybe this book is what sets up the series for something later, maybe this is all about his development and discovery or maybe someone comes between him and Ben somehow. Maybe this book is just putting the wheels in motion for future obstacles. When he world hops what does he do when he arrives? What is his purpose?
See, and that's what I was thinking too. Sometimes. Most often. But I get to where I'm overthinking things because every movie follows a pattern (and many books too) of:
1. character
2. in a situation
3. have a problem
4. they try to solve
5. making it worse
6. final attempt, may succeed or fail
7. consequence not as expected.
Once I saw that pattern, I saw it everywhere. I suspect any book that wants to be wildly successful follows a similar pattern, which makes me wonder if my book will have
enough struggle.
The struggle so far: Max learns he isn't human and grapples with it. He doesn't try to be what he once was, but he's also not completely comfortable with what he must do, even though some of it is exciting to him. Close to the end he accepts his new status completely, but in a manner that frightens Ben quite a lot. He cannot separate from Ben, so he must figure out how to help his friend be okay with what's happening except Max is a bit of a psychopath (or sociopath? I must research this a bit) and doesn't fully understand why his friend isn't simply accepting things at face value.
So I keep thinking external struggles should be added to make it more interesting, but then I think I should write the book I want to read. Maybe after I'm done the first draft and ignore it I'll see it with fresh eyes.
They hop worlds for different reasons: to get away from a threat, unsettling world, feels like it's time to move on, not a friendly place, etc. There's a tiny bit of push-pull too, Max likes going to new places but sometimes Ben wants to stay a bit longer. Each place they visit reveals a bit more information about what Max is. One world makes it absolutely, abundantly clear to Max but Ben doesn't get the same experience, so Max has to try to explain to Ben what happened and what it means.
Their purpose is to explore and learn, the entities like Max have an innate curiosity that needs to be satisfied.
It definitely is a set-up book for the next one, where Max and Ben meet a larger community. My biggest concern is making sure readers want to keep reading.
.....and thank you for listening/reading while I babble about my book and insecurities
Today I discovered so much about my wip. I'm really excited, a new character emerged although she won't actually appear in the novel, but now I know this will be a series. I discovered some interesting things about my villain and will need to rework some previous chapters to change these developments, but I am leaving that because if I return to my first three chapters I think I will scream and smash my keyboard(ok I exaggerate but you get the point) I was feeling a bit of writers block and where I was headed, I think that is why I spent so much time editing my first few chapters, but now I'm excited again and see where I'm going. This new person has really brightened my spirits and will dramatically change my mc world... I'm excited for her
That is the best feeling - getting excited about where your book is going! Maybe the words will flow from your fingers easily now that you have some insight
That's cool putting it all in MSWord, I'm old school and have at spiral notebooks, one is much smaller than the other, I'll jot down tidbits that come to me for later, like names etc.
TT-How goes it?
lol - I use a spreadsheet to detail what my characters have learned, but I also have several notepad sheets bundled with information. I feel like I'm preparing for an UberFan: make sure all my information doesn't contradict itself and I remain true to whatever canon I set up. Does anyone else do this?
Other than overthinking every last word I wrote, it's going well
I really love parts of my book, and I hope readers will see that.
How is everyone else doing? Any obstacles you want to talk about? Successes?
I've been at it since 930 am... and I have it figured out and I'm rolling....and bam it's 5pm and for some reason kids always want supper. Ok I'll be back.
Hi fellow UFer's (that's sounds naughty 
I'm glad you came in, lurkers are always welcome too! I will have to check it out this scivener. 
