SKU: 8828325689

What Do Your Characters Want? Using Highly Motivated Characters to Drive Stronger Stories

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Description

What Do Your Characters Want? Using Highly Motivated Characters to Drive Stronger StoriesAll genres have traps, inherent weaknesses that writers can fall prey to if we arent careful. Maybe your literary fiction has beautifully dimensional characters, but not a lot going on. Or maybe your thriller has a high octane plot, but the characters seem too archetypal or forgettable. These might seem like opposite problems, but the solution is the same: Its time to stop thinking of plot and character as separate elements and start using your

All genres have traps, inherent weaknesses that writers can fall prey to if we aren’t careful. Maybe your literary fiction has beautifully dimensional characters, but not a lot going on. Or maybe your thriller has a high-octane plot, but the characters seem too archetypal or forgettable.

These might seem like opposite problems, but the solution is the same: It’s time to stop thinking of plot and character as separate elements and start using your protagonist’s motivations to fuel the engine of your story, driving the action and enhancing the theme.

In this OnDemand webinar, you'll learn how to leverage your characters' goals and desires from Page 1 to get readers to quickly invest in their journeys, eager to come along for the ride. With plenty of examples from bestsellers across genres, you’ll see how focusing on character motivations as a guiding principle can not only bring your story’s central players to life, but add propulsion to your plot, raise and complicate the stakes, and elevate the themes of your story. 

What will You Learn:

  • How your characters’ motivations compel readers to care about them
  • How to minimize backstory to just the right details to maximize impact
  • How your characters’ strengths and flaws should relate to their goals
  • How to juggle multiple points of view, each with their own driving motivations
  • How to use shortcuts to access the heart of a character
  • Why the most relatable characters want very specific things that still feel universal
  • How to build tension through characters' conflicting desires
  • How character motivations might look different with unreliable narrators
  • How to leverage your primary and secondary characters' relationships for enhanced authenticity, complexity, and staying power.

Who Is This Webinar For:

  • Fiction writers whose work-in-progress takes too long to gain momentum
  • Fiction writers working on an outline or story plan that feels disjointed or incomplete
  • Fiction writers who feel their characters are generally stronger than their plots, or vice versa
  • Fiction writers who are struggling with pacing and can’t identify why
  • Fiction writers who feel stuck in the “muddle in the middle” of their story
  • Fiction writers in the drafting stages of their novel, looking for direction
  • Fiction writers in the revision stages who need clarity on what isn’t working
  • Fiction writers who’ve been told the ending of their story isn’t satisfying the reader

Instructor:

Jessica Strawser

Jessica Strawser is editor-at-large & columnist for Writer’s Digest, where she previously served as editorial director. She is the USA Today bestselling author of seven popular book club novels, including Almost Missed You, Not That I Could Tell (a Book of the Month bestseller), Forget You Know Me, A Million Reasons Why, The Next Thing You Know (a People Magazine Pick), The Last Caretaker, an Amazon Editors’ First Reads selection, and Catch You Later, brand new in October 2024. She has written for The New York Times Modern Love, Publishers Weekly, and others, and is a popular speaker at writing conferences. She lives with her husband and two children in Cincinnati, where she received a 2024 Individual Excellence Award for her fiction from the Ohio Arts Council. Find her on Facebook and Instagram @jessicastrawserauthor.

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SKU: 8828325689

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William Kasimer
Fort Morgan, US
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Great case for iPad
Color: Black
I saw a similar Zugu case for my iPad and almost bought it, but it looked like my iPad might not fit, so I hunted and found this VIKESI case, which cost about 1/3 as much as the Zugu. It's close to perfect. My iPad fits perfectly, and the almost infinite number of angles that it permits, along with magnets to hold it in place make it ideal for working on a desk or in my lap. The only minor downside is that it's on the heavy side, probably because of the magnets. But unless you're travelling with it (I've switched to a small Fire tablet for travel), that won't be an issue. Highly recommended.
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Reviewed in the United States on June 5, 2026
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S. Sirico
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ipad cover
Color: Rose
love it. light but durable. like how it can be hinged from either side horizontally. no can do vertically. great bargain and colorful, got pink, the stylus holders perfect
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L Shavonne
Port Orchard, US
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The magnet does not stick to the refrigerator as advertised.. UPDATE ( I love it and it does stick)
Color: Pink
Although it is a nice case, it seems sturdy and it is very beautiful, my main reason for purchasewas I loved the fact that it sticked to the refrigerator. I was very disappointed to see that it does not. It’s too heavy, and it immediately begins to slide. That is the reason why I could not give it more than three stars. It disappointed me enough to where I’m really considering returning the item. UPDATE: I found out how to make a stick to the refrigerator and I absolutely love it! I changed my review and my stars! I’m really happy.
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Reviewed in the United States on April 11, 2026
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Steve Chavez
Charlottesville, US
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Great Protection, Great Fit — One Small Flaw
Color: Forest Green
I really love this case. It protects the iPad well, fits perfectly, and is still easy to put on and take off. The pencil holder is especially nice — it keeps the Pencil secure without feeling loose or flimsy. My only complaint is that some USB‑A to USB‑C adapters don’t have enough clearance to plug in. The edge of the case blocks certain adapters from seating properly. It’s the only issue I’ve run into, but it’s worth mentioning if you rely on chunkier adapters. Aside from that, this is an excellent case and one I’m happy to use every day.
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Rosemary Raines
Lowell, US
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Ipad case
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It is very well made! Sturdy and easy to use. Has a great stand to watch videos and such. Perfect fit for my IPad. Easy to install.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 3, 2026

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