Sharon ReneIf you’re a writer you realize that your book must have conflict and your characters must have goals and motivation.
Debra Dixon wrote a book entitled GMC Goal, Motivation & Conflict and I’m going to share this concept with you today.
Goal Motivation & Conflict applies at the manuscript level and the scene level.
A scene is action. It happens. Not an explanation of what will happen or what already happened. It is a unit of conflict and struggle lived through the character.
Scenes should have GMC.
So what is GMC?
- Goal = What your character wants
- Motivation = Why your character wants it
- Conflict = The obstacle in the characters way
Goals should be:
- Important
- Urgent
- External and Internal
- All characters should have their own GMC
Motivation (the Why)
- It drives characters
- It should be simple, strong and focused
- All actions and decisions should be motivated
– The goals and motives should be appropriate to the character and their background
– Wounded heroes can be understood by looking at their internal GMC
– Emotional scars lend themselves beautifully to internal GMC
Don’t forget Conflict. External and Internal conflict. Your character may have multiple conflicts.
- Conflict is the obstacle your MC must face in obtaining her goal.
- A struggle against someone or something in which outcome is in doubt
- Bad things happening to good people
- Bad things happening to bad people
- Friction, tension, opposition
People with perfect lives are boring!
– Every character should have their own GMC.
– Make sure the GMC of your characters collides
Don’t forget the villain. They provide great conflict.
So when outlining your book or scene – think GMC. There must be a goal and a good motivation and plenty of conflict to get in the way.
The strength of the book is in Conflict!
To read more about GMC, I recommend Goal Motivation & Conflict by Debra Dixon. Available on Kindle.
Leave a comment below and you may win a free book at the end of the month!!!
Julia N. White
Michelle Kaderly Welsh
Misha
Even short stories need at least the conflict, at least that’s what we always teach in our Chicken Soup for the Soul workshops!
The more I write, the more I realize I tend to go too soft on my characters. I am currently beefing up their struggles and the conflicts they face. The goal and motivation pieces have always come easier for me. Thank you for the post. Great reminders!
Hi Rebecca, Thanks for dropping by. Yes beef up the conflict. Inner and outer. Conflict will keep the reader reading.
Thanks- I’m starting a new story right now so these tips should be helpful!
I’m glad. Keeping GMC in mind always helps me.