Character Want vs Need Conflict

A

Alex Rivera

@alex-rivera

·

Craft characters with internal contradictions that drive meaningful dramatic choices.

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Design a character whose want and need are in direct opposition:

Character: {{character_name}}
Setting: {{setting}}
Genre: {{genre}}

Define:

1. THE WANT (External Goal)
- What they consciously pursue
- Why they believe this will make them happy
- What they're willing to sacrifice for it

2. THE NEED (Internal Truth)
- What they actually require for fulfillment
- Why they can't see it yet
- What wound created this blindness

3. THE COLLISION
- At what moment does pursuing the want directly oppose the need?
- What forces them to choose?
- What do they lose either way?

4. THREE SCENES
- Scene showing them pursuing want
- Scene where need emerges unconsciously
- Scene where they must choose

Write each scene in screenplay format.

Details

Category

Creative

Use Cases

protagonist designarc developmentcharacter depth

Works Best With

gpt-4oclaude-sonnet-4-20250514
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