Fictionary’s Story Elements: POV Character Goal

Welcome back to The Pencil’s Edge! In today’s post, we explore one of the most crucial elements of storytelling: the POV Character Goal. Without a clear goal, a character’s actions can feel aimless, leaving readers disengaged. A strong POV goal drives the story forward and provides readers with a compelling reason to keep turning the pages.

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Why Is the POV Character Goal Important?

A character goal is simply what a character wants in a given scene. Goals provide:

• Direction: They dictate what the character is doing and why.
• Tension: They create obstacles and stakes that keep readers engaged.
• Emotional Investment: Readers need to root for (or against) a character’s goal.

Without a goal, the scene risks becoming stagnant. Readers need to see characters striving toward something, failing, adjusting, and trying again.

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Using the POV Character Goal Element in Fictionary

In StoryCoach, each scene should have a clearly defined POV goal. If a goal is not apparent, this could indicate a weak scene. Here’s how to evaluate POV goals:

1. Verify the POV Goal
   • Navigate to Point of View Goal on the Evaluate page.
   • If the POV goal is not clear, enter Unclear in the story element.
2. Relate the POV Goal to the Story’s Main Goal
   • The protagonist should have a main story goal that is apparent in the blurb.
   • The POV character’s goal per scene should always relate to that overarching story goal.
3. Differentiate Between Internal and External Goals
   • External Goal: The immediate objective in a scene (e.g., winning an argument, escaping danger, finding a clue).
   • Internal Goal: A deeper, more emotional need driving the character’s transformation (e.g., gaining self-worth, overcoming a past trauma).
4. Utilize the Story Map
   • Select Point of View, POV Goal, and Scene Name in the Story Map to track character progression.

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When to Provide Feedback on POV Goals

As an editor or writer reviewing a manuscript, be on the lookout for these common issues:

1. No Clear POV Goal

• If a character has no discernible goal in a scene, it lacks momentum.
• Action: Enter No goal in the story element and suggest adding one.

2. Too Many Goals

• If the character is juggling multiple conflicting goals in a single scene, it can be confusing.
• Action: Enter Too many in the story element and recommend narrowing the focus.

3. Inconsistent Goals

• If the character’s goal changes within the scene without reason, it may lack coherence.
• Action: Enter Inconsistent and suggest clarifying intent.

4. No Consequences

• If the character’s goal is achieved or abandoned without impact, the stakes are too low.
• Action: Enter No consequences and recommend adding tension.

5. Too Easily Achieved Goals

• If a character reaches their goal without difficulty, the scene may feel underdeveloped.
• Action: Enter Too easy and advise adding obstacles or conflict.

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Advice for Writers on Strengthening POV Goals

To create compelling goals, ask these questions:

• Does the protagonist want something badly?
• Is the goal strong enough to be interesting?
• Does the protagonist get proactive by the midpoint?
• Does the protagonist change themselves or their situation?

By ensuring every POV character has a strong external goal (what they want) and an underlying internal goal (what they need), writers can create richer, more engaging narratives.

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Final Thoughts

Mastering POV Character Goals is key to building a dynamic and engaging story. Without clear, purposeful goals, scenes can feel aimless, and readers may lose interest. By tracking and refining goals, writers can maintain tension, keep characters proactive, and create a compelling reading experience.

Stay tuned for our next post, where we’ll explore the next Fictionary Story Element: Character Arc. Until then, happy writing!