What Your MC Wants...

neener · Nov 13, 2009

I was trying to take a step back and make sure my current WIP was going the right direction, so I asked myself the ultimate question, "What does my MC want?" And...the 'big picture' thing she wants is to figure out who she is. I know--don't roll your eyes. It is the ultimate in YA cliches...and yet, isn't it part of what YA is all about, always? I see there's a whole thread on the coming-of-age thing. So my question is, is that enough to propel a story, or does the big picture thing that the MC wants need to be something more concrete? How concrete? Do I have to go "she wants a date to the prom" level or can it be "she wants to be happy again"?

Kitty Pryde · Nov 13, 2009

I think for some fluffier stuff (a la Gossip Girl or Teh Sparkly Vampires That Must Not Be Named) there can be just an immediate goal, like 'get a date to the prom'. More generally, though, I think you need both in a novel. Like, for instance, in "Thirteen Reasons Why", (no spoilers, this is all stuff from the book jacket!) the MC's big-picture goal is to make sense of the girl's death and learn about how to be a good human being. His immediate goal, though, is just to listen to all the tapes as fast as he canto make sure he won't be at fault/get in trouble/be blamed/be publicly humiliated.

Or Wintergirls: immediate goal is to lose weight at any cost. Overall goal is to learn to love herself as much as she loves her family, and she thinks weight loss is a means to that end.

Animaluver · Nov 14, 2009

I think my story is close to that. My MC wants to be noticed by people. She feels out of place because she moved to the town one year ago and doesn't 'fit in' (although she may not be trying). Then, there's a problem with the new guy. And don't forget about the dead body found at the party.

Gedaechtnis · Nov 18, 2009

My MC wants to figure out who he is. Cliche, slightly, but as neener said, that's what it's all about. He also wants things like...well, now that I boil it down, he wants to fit in, he wants "the girl", he wants maybe a touch o' vengeance, he wants other people to respect him.

jmascia · Nov 21, 2009

I think what can make your MC different is asking: 1) Why do they want to know who they are? and 2) What aspect of themselves do they really want to get in touch with?

What Your MC Wants...

neener

Cleaning is overrated

Kitty Pryde

i luv you giant bear statue

Animaluver

Hey, other people!

Gedaechtnis

likes toast and peppermint

jmascia