Screenwriting : Today's Wish and Creative Tip by Laurie Ashbourne

Why? Philosopher Friedrich Nietzsche wrote: "If you know the why, you can live any how." I presume he meant some combination of, if you know what is important to you, you can do whatever neccessary to accomplish that goal and if you know why certain obstacles are there or certain people behave the way they do, you can manage to work around or within those constraints. I don't think he was a screenwriter but boy if he was, this is pure gold. Try this: set aside your character bios, arcs and relationship maps, and simply write a bullet point list of what's important to your character -- sort of a resolution list. And hang it where you can see it while you write. For example say your character is a CEO that realizes her life doesn't have a lot of purpose despite her status, her list may read: Listen more than talk Give back Be a better girlfriend Be more patient Spend more time with my family count to 3 Inspire people Teach my peers be grateful shed relationships that no longer serve me don't get mad, get even (I had to throw that last one in -- because you know, you don't get to be a CEO without some conflict) This mission list should serve your character's motivation and reflect the theme of what they need to learn/accomplish by the end (presuming it is a heroic and not tragic tale you are telling). When they realize the why, they can get through any 'how' May all your doings be howdy.