MASTER LISTS FOR WRITERS: Thesauruses, Plots, Character Traits, Names, and More by Bryn Donovan
Authors: Bryn Donovan
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simplest ways to craft a story is to give your character a clear goal, put obstacles in the way of this goal, and watch her struggle. Your protagonist may eventually succeed or fail, or she may discover something better than her original vision along the way.
On the other hand, dramatic events in the story may supersede your character’s goals. Some goals and aspirations may not fuel the story, but may help show who the character is and what he values.
So what do the people in your story really want? Many of the ideas here are very widespread aspirations. And hey, if you wind up getting ideas for your own bucket list, no extra charge.
Find a job.
She may be out of work, or she may just be stuck in a job she hates.
Find a partner.
Depending on his age, his history, and his comfort with commitment, he might be looking for a husband, or he might just be looking for a boyfriend. In some eras and some situations, love may have nothing to do with your character seeking a spouse.
Get a divorce.
It’s not always easy for people to get out of unhappy marriages.
Have a baby.
This common goal could be thwarted by many factors, including the lack of a willing partner, economic challenges, age, health issues, and infertility.
Adopt a dog or cat from a shelter.
This is a little like a very light version of #4. Your character’s living situation may be an obstacle, however.
Earn a degree or certification.
Graduating from high school, a vocational school, college, or grad school is a very relatable goal.
Travel to a particular destination.
It could be somewhere in his own country or a foreign nation.
Buy a house.
This might be your character’s first house, or one she feels compelled to own for some reason.
Run his own business.
Many people dream of striking out on their own. Maybe your protagonist dreams of it, too.
Hang on to her business.
In tough economic times, a person might be focused on keeping her bridal shop, ranch, or online store afloat.
Give up an addiction—drinking, smoking, gambling, or drugs.
This is a really difficult goal for most, though it can be done.
Win a competition.
It could be a basketball tournament, a Miss Utah pageant, or a chili cook-off.
Lose weight.
This may be the most ubiquitous goal there is.
Become strong and muscular.
This sometimes goes along with #13.
Run a 5K, a half marathon, or a marathon.
This is a popular fitness goal.
Recover from a disease, injury, or illness.
Your character may be undergoing treatment for cancer, or she may be battling a mental illness.
Reconcile with someone.
Your protagonist may want to patch things up with a spouse, girlfriend, or former best friend.
Repair something.
Fixing up an old house is a worthy long-term goal for your character, and fixing up a boat or car is a great goal for a short story.
Help someone else thrive.
A character might want to find the right school for her child with special needs, or find a compatible kidney donor for his spouse. Alternately, she may be trying to fix someone who isn’t really trying to fix himself. (Spoiler: it doesn’t work.)
Have sex—or have better sex.
Some people are actively seeking to lose their v-card. Others have problems they want to fix in the bedroom.
Attend an exciting event.
Examples include seeing his favorite rock band in concert, going to the Super Bowl, and celebrating New Year’s Eve in New York’s Times Square. It could also be something personal, such as the birth of his child, if he has challenges in getting there.
Ensure an exciting event that she is organizing goes well.
This could be Christmas with the whole family, a wedding, a family reunion, or a town festival or professional conference she’s pulling together.
Avoid arrest.
If your character has broken the law, this may be his primary aspiration.
Get out of debt.
For someone burdened with a lot of student loans or gambling debts, this may be goal #1.
Raise money for a cause.
He may have come up with any number of
On the other hand, dramatic events in the story may supersede your character’s goals. Some goals and aspirations may not fuel the story, but may help show who the character is and what he values.
So what do the people in your story really want? Many of the ideas here are very widespread aspirations. And hey, if you wind up getting ideas for your own bucket list, no extra charge.
Find a job.
She may be out of work, or she may just be stuck in a job she hates.
Find a partner.
Depending on his age, his history, and his comfort with commitment, he might be looking for a husband, or he might just be looking for a boyfriend. In some eras and some situations, love may have nothing to do with your character seeking a spouse.
Get a divorce.
It’s not always easy for people to get out of unhappy marriages.
Have a baby.
This common goal could be thwarted by many factors, including the lack of a willing partner, economic challenges, age, health issues, and infertility.
Adopt a dog or cat from a shelter.
This is a little like a very light version of #4. Your character’s living situation may be an obstacle, however.
Earn a degree or certification.
Graduating from high school, a vocational school, college, or grad school is a very relatable goal.
Travel to a particular destination.
It could be somewhere in his own country or a foreign nation.
Buy a house.
This might be your character’s first house, or one she feels compelled to own for some reason.
Run his own business.
Many people dream of striking out on their own. Maybe your protagonist dreams of it, too.
Hang on to her business.
In tough economic times, a person might be focused on keeping her bridal shop, ranch, or online store afloat.
Give up an addiction—drinking, smoking, gambling, or drugs.
This is a really difficult goal for most, though it can be done.
Win a competition.
It could be a basketball tournament, a Miss Utah pageant, or a chili cook-off.
Lose weight.
This may be the most ubiquitous goal there is.
Become strong and muscular.
This sometimes goes along with #13.
Run a 5K, a half marathon, or a marathon.
This is a popular fitness goal.
Recover from a disease, injury, or illness.
Your character may be undergoing treatment for cancer, or she may be battling a mental illness.
Reconcile with someone.
Your protagonist may want to patch things up with a spouse, girlfriend, or former best friend.
Repair something.
Fixing up an old house is a worthy long-term goal for your character, and fixing up a boat or car is a great goal for a short story.
Help someone else thrive.
A character might want to find the right school for her child with special needs, or find a compatible kidney donor for his spouse. Alternately, she may be trying to fix someone who isn’t really trying to fix himself. (Spoiler: it doesn’t work.)
Have sex—or have better sex.
Some people are actively seeking to lose their v-card. Others have problems they want to fix in the bedroom.
Attend an exciting event.
Examples include seeing his favorite rock band in concert, going to the Super Bowl, and celebrating New Year’s Eve in New York’s Times Square. It could also be something personal, such as the birth of his child, if he has challenges in getting there.
Ensure an exciting event that she is organizing goes well.
This could be Christmas with the whole family, a wedding, a family reunion, or a town festival or professional conference she’s pulling together.
Avoid arrest.
If your character has broken the law, this may be his primary aspiration.
Get out of debt.
For someone burdened with a lot of student loans or gambling debts, this may be goal #1.
Raise money for a cause.
He may have come up with any number of
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