My book character is just a means to an end?
Hello,
I recently started writing again after a long break, and I started working on a project that's over five years old and that I want to rework. I noticed that one of my characters desperately lacks motivation as to why they want to be and remain such an important part of the story.
The book's genre is urban fantasy. There are people with supernatural abilities, and as is often the case with such stories, a mentor-student situation arises. Three characters who have previously lived among humans without any abilities set out on a mission and are initiated into the whole situation and taught by the more experienced people.
What I've noticed now, however, is that one of my protagonists is merely a means to an end. He has hardly any reasons or motivations of his own for embarking on this adventure. He's studying history to become a teacher and is interested in mythology, books, etc. He therefore has knowledge of ancient myths and legends that will be important for the story later on, but no serious problems that he can overcome and grow beyond through the adventure—quite the opposite. He wants to be a teacher, doesn't really want anything to do with supernatural stuff, and should theoretically run away as soon as things get dicey and he realizes, "Okay, this is going a bit beyond the fantasy stories I love so much."
Does anyone here have any idea what exciting things might happen in his life and why he should be so enthusiastic about the mission?
(1 votes)
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Does he have to? Maybe the reason is in his past. He might want something “competent.” For example, a love relationship.
Otherwise he could, depending of course on the story
He wants to seize supernatural forces that are unimaginable, but he just has to find what he needs…
He could also just see a career chance by trying to discover something that no one has seen before. So he might want a little higher than a teacher.
Love is always a good motivation no matter if the character has good or bad.
He could also drag something out of his past with him that makes him hard to do that he has to handle. He might also be more aware of what the protagonists expect on their adventure than he may admit.