1. Avoiding Change: The character resists any form of change or progress, often due to fear of the unknown, comfort in the status quo, or a desire to maintain control over their environment. This resistance can create tension with other characters who are pushing for change. It can also lead to missed opportunities and a decline in the character's personal growth.
2. Avoiding Commitment: The character seeks to escape any form of long-term obligation or commitment, whether in relationships, jobs, or promises. This could be driven by fear of responsibility or fear of failure. The character's reluctance can lead to conflicts with others who seek stability and reliability from them. Avoiding commitment can also cause the character to miss out on meaningful relationships and achievements which can result in a lack of progress and fulfillment in their personal or professional life.
3. Avoiding Confrontation: The character seeks to evade a confrontation or argument, driven by fear of conflict or repercussions. For example, they might avoid a difficult conversation with a boss to prevent being fired. This can result in unresolved issues festering over time, creating bigger problems. Avoiding confrontation can also hinder the character’s ability to assert themselves and gain respect.
4. Avoiding Responsibility: The character tries to shirk duties or obligations. This might be driven by laziness, fear of failure, or a desire to avoid blame for potential negative outcomes. This behavior can lead to resentment from others who have to pick up the slack. It can also cause the character to miss out on opportunities for personal growth and development.
5. Discrediting Others: The character aims to ruin someone else's reputation. This could be motivated by personal vendettas, professional rivalry, or a desire to divert attention from their own flaws. This action can create significant conflict and drama within the story. Discrediting others can also lead to a loss of trust and credibility for the characters themselves.
6. Escaping Danger: The character aims to get away from a threatening situation or individual. This objective could involve fleeing from a physical threat, such as a pursuer or a hazardous environment. The constant need to escape can add tension and urgency to the story. It can also highlight the character's resourcefulness and survival instincts.
7. Escaping Guilt: The character seeks to avoid facing their responsibility for past actions. This might involve denial, blaming others, or fleeing from situations that remind them of their guilt. This can lead to a cycle of self-destructive behavior and unresolved issues. Escaping guilt can also create barriers to the character forming genuine connections with others.
8. Exploiting Others: The character seeks to take advantage of others for personal gain, whether financially, emotionally, or socially. This can be motivated by greed, desperation, or a lack of moral compass. Exploiting others can lead to significant conflict and drama in the story. It can also result in the character facing severe consequences for their actions.
9. Gaslighting: This character deliberately manipulates others into questioning their own perceptions or memories, creating confusion and self-doubt. This objective is often driven by a need for control or power, and it can result in psychological damage to the victim. They undermine others' trust in themselves, making them vulnerable to manipulation.
10. Instigating Conflict: The character deliberately stirs up trouble or conflict between others. This might be motivated by a desire for chaos, to distract from their own issues, or to manipulate outcomes to their advantage. This can add significant drama and tension to the story. Instigating conflict can reveal the character's manipulative nature.
11. Instilling Fear: This character's goal is to manipulate or control others by inducing fear, often through intimidation or threats. Their actions create an atmosphere of tension and anxiety, making others act out of fear rather than free will, ultimately revealing the character's need for dominance.
12. Maintaining Control: The character strives to keep a tight grip on a situation or person, often through manipulative or oppressive means. This objective might arise from fear of losing power, influence, or stability in their life. Maintaining control can create significant tension and conflict with other characters. It can also lead to the character's eventual downfall if their manipulations are exposed.
NEXT ARTICLE: 25 Common Negative Character Objectives (pt2)
