Story check: All protagonists have a goal

- Here are a few questions to help you make sure - Here are a few questions to help you make sure that your protagonist has a goal worthy of an entire story. that your protagonist has a goal worthy of an entire story. First, ask yourself, First, ask yourself, what is my protagonist's external goal? what is my protagonist's external goal? What does he want more than anything? What does he want more than anything? What's his reason for living? What's his reason for living? Everyone has an agenda, what's his? Everyone has an agenda, what's his? And remember, saying he wants $10 million isn't enough. And remember, saying he wants $10 million isn't enough. It's general, and besides, who doesn't want $10 million? It's general, and besides, who doesn't want $10 million? The point is, be specific. The point is, be specific.

Second, what is my protagonist's internal goal? Second, what is my protagonist's internal goal? What will achieving his external goal mean to him? What will achieving his external goal mean to him? Why does he want it? Why does he want it? What does he think getting it will say about him? What does he think getting it will say about him? How will it affect his self-image? How will that affect his self-image? And, as important, is he right? And, as important, is he right? Third, do these goals force him to face Third, do these goals force him to face a specific, long-standing problem or fear? a specific long-standing problem or fear? a specific, long-standing problem or fear? What secret fear must he confront What secret fear must he confront if he's going to have a shot at his goal? What hidden truth has he spent his whole life avoiding, What hidden truth has he spent his whole life avoiding that he's now forced to look straight in the eye, that he's now forced to look straight in the eye or give up and go home? or give up and go home? Now that you know how important it is Now that you know how important it is to really nail your protagonist's goal, to really nail your protagonist's goal, open the example from your exercise files. open the example from your exercise files.

Remember, the protagonist's fate is in your hands. Remember, the protagonist's fate is in your hands.