Outer motivation and outer conflict are part of the plot
They deal with what’s happening on the outside, the actions, events, and goals your character pursues.
- They give the character something to do
- They create story momentum and stakes
An Example from my novel When Love Ends, Lies Begin:
Vanessa, my protagonist’s outer motivation, is to prove her innocence after being framed for murder.
Vanessa’s outer conflict is that Mia (antagonist) and law enforcement are stopping her.
The outer motivation is what the character wants to achieve, and the outer conflict is the element that’s stopping him from attaining that goal.
Put simply, the character must achieve X, but Y is stopping them.
Inner Motivation and Inner Conflict
Inner motivation is the deeper emotional need that drives their behavior, even if they aren’t consciously aware of it.
Inner Conflict = The emotional struggle within your character
It’s the tug-of-war between the lie they believe and the truth they need to accept. This conflict drives emotional tension and gives the character arc its depth.
Compelling and multi-dimensional stories are also composed of an inner journey that parallels the external one.
Every outside motivator needs an inner one.
A character’s internal conflict, their flaws or lies, should hinder their pursuit of their goals.
John’s reason for wanting to win is to distinguish himself (inner motivation), to prove that he can argue in a court case, as opposed to his usual plea bargain. Live up to his dead father’s reputation. An exceptional trial lawyer.
This need for validation emerged from growing up in the shadow of his successful father (wound). As a result, John doubts himself and his abilities (inner conflict). Though he wants to prove himself, he’s afraid that his best efforts will fall short of his father’s accomplishments and he will always be second best.
A character arc works best when it mirrors the difficulties of the outer story. As the character strives to overcome an antagonist or challenge, so must he overcome himself and his greatest fears.
Throughout the arc, the damaged character must face himself and his shortcomings. To emerge healed and whole, he must confront his wound and expose the lie.
Once he can let go of his false belief, the lie that has motivated his actions to this point will no longer control his life.
A character does not have to overcome all his flaws during the journey, but if the story ends with him becoming a stronger, more balanced version of himself, then the fatal flaw must be vanquished, or at least diminished to the point that it no longer controls his life or holds him back.
Unless the story ends in tragedy with the character being unable to face his fear, then his struggle at the start of the story should be reversed by the end. If he viewed the future with trepidation, now he faces it with optimism.
If he once embraced a life of isolation, he now sees value in building community with others.
Flaws and Internal Conflict
Let’s take Kevin as an example. He’s fresh out of jail after serving time for a crime he didn’t commit. He’s alone in the world since his best friends cut him off at the time of his arrest, leaving him hurt by their betrayal.
His outer goal is to stay out of jail by playing by the rules and not getting into trouble, but his resentment and anger have created a huge chip on his shoulder with the police and the legal system.
We have a beautiful example of conflict. Kevin is determined to avoid further jail time, but his resentment and rebellious nature are constantly tripping him up.
The weakness he experienced during his prison term has given him a thirst for control. Yet he has to abide by other people’s rules if he’s going to maintain his newfound freedom.
This is how a character’s flaws can create inner strife.
Another way to complicate this struggle is to give the character opposing desires or needs and force him to choose.
Let’s say that our hero, Kevin, is pursuing his original goal when he discovers that his ex-wife and estranged son have gone missing.
Kevin suspects foul play, but the police are indifferent and warn him, an ex-con, to stay out of it. Now he has two goals: keep out of jail by following the rules and save his ex-wife and son by doing whatever is necessary.
Flaws create contradictions, causing the character to question what’s most important. Authentic characters struggle with thorny decisions, and their shortcomings make it hard for them to be objective. This causes tension and conflict and ensures that their roads will be difficult to navigate.
Can a Flaw Help or Only Hinder?
Some people may argue that flaws, overall, get a bad rap. After all, many of them develop as a coping mechanism to protect our characters from being hurt. And if they aren’t harming anyone, then how can they be so bad?
The problem is that flaws are fueled by lies and negative beliefs that stalemate the character.
These traits can limit learning and growth, hamper judgment, and damage relationships with others.
In most situations, flaws keep our characters from reaching personal and professional goals.
For example, a healthy character who has experienced betrayal may find mistrust emerging as a personality trait. She doesn’t take things at face value, views other people with suspicion until they’ve proven trustworthy, and investigates before committing to anything.
On the surface, this seems reasonable and good old-fashioned common sense. But consider that, because of this mistrust, she’s not as friendly as she used to be. No longer spontaneous, she refuses to take a step without knowing what’s coming. She distances herself from others, hides her emotions, and keeps secrets. Committed relationships frighten her, and if one develops, she breaks things off before it gets too serious.
On the surface, flaws may emerge to protect the character from emotional hurt, but they will always limit growth and create dysfunction. These negative qualities, minor or major, will bias the character’s perceptions and dictate how he or she relates to others.
The Positive Side of Flaws
What’s important to note is that while flaws themselves are destructive, they can be applied beneficially to help your character within the context of your story.
Consider a protagonist who lives in a world of corruption and crime. When people are out to take advantage of everyone else, the ability to lie well could be a valuable asset. Likewise, if an overly competitive character is thrust into a situation where she must compete to the death, this flaw could give her the strength to save herself.
Flaws have their positive elements, although these aren’t as clear because the negatives are so obvious. Gullible characters are easily duped, but they’re also trusting, friendly, and generous.
Spoiled characters, while over-indulged and selfish, can freely express their wants and desires and have no trouble standing up for themselves.
When examining your protagonist’s negatives, be sure to explore the positive side of their flaws, since both can be utilized to create a well-rounded and believable character.
Below are examples of the positive side of a flaw. They show how even a character’s deepest struggles can also be a strength in the right context. This adds nuance and makes characters feel more real.
Here are some examples:
Flaw: Stubbornness
- Positive Side: Determined, doesn’t give up easily
- Example: A character who refuses to back down in a court case, even when odds are stacked against them.
Flaw: Distrustful
- Positive Side: Cautious, perceptive, sees through manipulation
- Example: Vanessa’s suspicion (rooted in not trusting others) helps her uncover Mia’s betrayal.
Flaw: Perfectionism
- Positive Side: Detail-oriented, high standards, reliable
- Example: A perfectionist paralegal might catch the one error that saves a case.
Flaw: Hot-tempered
- Positive Side: Passionate, stands up for what’s right
- Example: Their fiery outburst may be what finally exposes an injustice.
Flaw: People-pleasing
- Positive Side: Empathetic, diplomatic, able to connect with others
- Example: Builds relationships easily, which can be an asset in tense situations.
Flaw: Fear of vulnerability
- Positive Side: Strong sense of independence, emotionally self-reliant
- Example: Refuses to play the victim, even when life falls apart.
Flaw: Overly logical
- Positive Side: Level-headed, practical, excellent problem-solver
- Example: Can stay calm and find a solution in a crisis when others panic.