All About Character Motivation
Motivation is key in any good story: I call it the ‘why’ of characterisation. Your characters should not simply exist to serve the plot. Instead, they should drive the plot through their own choices, behaviour, worldview, backstory and actions. A subtle difference, but crucial.
In other words then, a great character wants or needs something for a reason … and they must struggle to get it. Their ‘why’ may be personal, ranging from the good or neutral, through to the outright evil and villainous. Whatever makes your character act, fight or sacrifice, that ‘why’ is everything.
Understanding Character Motivation
The vast majority of characters are driven by external goals. Life or death stakes are common in most genres, but motivation does not have to be limited to survival alone. Even in horror, thriller, fantasy or action, great characters may have other motivations than just staying alive.
Even in the case of genres like romance where literal survival is not on the table, motivation is still important. This is because inner desires, existential needs like identity, love, ambition, or self-realisation.
What matters is that your character’s motivations are believable, emotionally resonant, and aligned with the story. I will break down each ‘why’ in this article … ready? Let’s go!
Types of Character Motivation
Romantasy has become a super-popular genre in the past few years. Mixing romance and fantasy with other genres and styles – thriller, action, cosy, or even horror – has proven a HUGE hit with readers.
One of the most popular titles is Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, the first in The Empyrean Series. In this trilogy (so far), our lead protagonist is Violet Sorrengail. She lives in the medieval-esque kingdom of Navarre and is a disabled character. (Whilst Yarros never says what Violet’s condition is overtly, we can assume it is Ehlos-Danlos Syndrome, a connective tissue disorder that causes pain and loose joints).
1) External Needs
External motivations are about survival, goals, or tangible achievements. Thrust into a brutal world of training and combat at the military academy, Violet’s primary external motivation is survival. She must master her skills and stay alive while navigating deadly rivals.
In Fourth Wing, the system is literally stacked against Violet. She is due to become a scribe like her late father, but her mother, a General, inexplicably rescinds this expectation. She sends Violet to Basgaith War College. There, Violet must learn to be a dragon rider so she can help defend Navarre from the Gryphon Riders of neighbouring hostile kingdom Poromiel.
But before she can bond with a dragon, Violet has to take a literal leap of faith INTO the college itself via the ‘parapet’ initiation. This is problematic even for non-disabled cadets! She only just makes it, but her problems don’t end there.
It is ‘survival of the fittest’ at Basgaith war college. Violet knows she won’t survive the regular sparring matches without help … so she utilises her position in the kitchens and scribe knowledge to ‘soften the battlefield’ by poisoning her opponents! Weaker because of Violet’s scheming, she is able to defeat her sparring partners and make it through the matches.
This is Violet Sorrengail down to a tee: she doesn’t just use her physical strength, overcoming problems no matter what because ‘disabled people are just as good as abled people’ (aka ‘inspiration porn‘). Instead, Violet is aware of her limitations and uses her wits to make the situation work for her. This is why Violet is so beloved by many disabled, neurodiverse and mentally illl readers, who may have had to work out similar ways to get ahead in a society that lacks accessibility.
2) Existential Needs
For Violet, her existential needs are just as compelling as her external ones. She craves autonomy, respect, and the chance to define her own destiny rather than be a pawn of fate or authority. Her inner world – the doubts, ambitions, and fears – makes her far more complex than a typical fantasy heroine.
Being a romantasy, Fourth Wing is not just about thriller and action. Romance is a key element of the story. Violet goes ‘enemies to lovers’ with Xaden Riorson, a wing leader in Violet’s quadrant.
Xaden is the son of Fenn Riorson, who led a rebellion against the ruling powers in the kingdom of Navarre. After his father’s execution, he became the leader of the children of the rebels, who were conscripted into the dragon rider programme as a punishment. He is bonded to a daggertail dragon named Sgaeyl, who happens to be mated to Violet’s dragon Tairn. This creates an unbreakable bond between Xaden and Violet.
The romance between Xaden and Violet is central to the story. These are internal motivations: emotional, psychological, and personal. As their love grows, so do their problems – not just between Navarre and Poromiel, but within their own kingdom. Their love will be put to the test alongside the threat to their lives.
MORE: How Does Character Motivation Work? (Your Secret To Creating Great Characters)
3) Conflicting Motivations
The richest characters face conflicts between different motivations. Violet’s desire for independence and mastery often clashes with obligations to allies or loyalty to mentors, friends and enemies and even her lover, Xaden.
These conflicts create moral dilemmas, drive tension, and deepen her development, making her story emotionally compelling. The conspiracy Violet helps Xaden unearth – especially as Fourth Wing continues into book 2 Iron Flame, then book 3 Onyx Storm – creates even more conflict.
Both characters are forced to re-examine their ‘why’. What they once took for granted in terms of their home and enemies gets thrown upside down. Even their relationship becomes threatened, with Violet wondering if she can trust Xaden after all.
Why Character Motivation Matters
Character motivation is essential for storytelling. It gives your characters authenticity, complexity, and relatability. Working out your character’s ‘why’ helps …
- i) Drive the Plot
- ii) Create Emotional Engagement
- iii) Add Depth and Nuance
- iv) Build Audience Connection
By asking why your character acts — whether driven by external needs, existential desires, or conflicting goals — you craft stories that resonate on multiple levels.
Violet Sorrengail teaches us that great characterisation is not about being powerful or “cool”. It’s about what drives someone to survive, fight, and define themselves. That is what keeps readers hooked and emotionally invested. MORE: 23 Powerful Examples of Character Motivation
