Hi, everyone! The Blackwell Belles authors are back, continuing our trio of articles focusing on one of our favorite writing topics, Goal, Motivation, and Conflict!
In our last post we gave our thoughts and some examples on goals: what’s at stake for two characters who are about to take that fun tumble towards happily ever after. In our new Blackwell Belles series for Harlequin Heartwarming we’re writing about five estranged sisters gradually making their way back into the family fold. It was important to us, in writing these connected stories, that each sister’s GMC be not only well thought out, but also different from one another. We’ve filled you in on what each of our heroines (and some of our heroes) want. Now it’s time to examine WHY they want those things. If character motivation isn’t clearly spelled out on the page, trust us, the reader won’t care enough about that character’s journey to keep reading. And grabbing the reader and not letting go should be the goal (ha!) of every writer.
Take it away Melinda!
Melinda Curtis (A COWGIRL NEVER FORGETS, August 2024):
My story opens the series with the mother of these 5 Blackwell sisters being put into the Hall of Fame. Given the last trick riding performance by the 5 Blackwell Belles resulted in financial disaster and bloodshed – primarily my heroine Maggie’s blood, but also destruction of her bank account. Since then, Maggie has been trying to create a life where she’ll never have to worry about finances or something riding on horseback and taking aim at her with an arrow. This important piece of backstory is Maggie’s motivation for refusing to bring the band back together and perform at the Hall of Fame. But it’s also motivation for her to refuse the affection of her best friend – who always seems short on cash. Motivation is what makes your characters behave consistently and almost always involves something they will reconsider near the end of the story.
Carol Ross (A COWGIRL FINDS HOME, September 2024):
Motivation. The why of almost everything we do as humans. This is typically the element I use to start every story. I envision a character and immediately ponder his or her backstory. Violet Blackwell was no exception, and her motivation is crystal clear and easy to relate to. She disliked the nomadic nature of her childhood as well as the financial uncertainty. Performing with the Blackwell Belles meant being constantly on the move, never having a place to call home, and wondering where the next paycheck would come from. And because Violet was the least talented Belle, her participation felt so pointless. Unsurprisingly, she’s now a workaholic and has a job where she’s nearly perfect. She’s determined to keep it that way. The need for stability, security, consistency – that’s what motivates Violet.
Anna J Stewart (A COWGIRL ON HIS DOORSTEP, October 2024):
Out of GMC, my favorite element is absolutely motivation. Okay, I like all three really, but motivation, for me, is what shines a spotlight on what makes your characters tick. WHY they do what they do, say what they say, act as they act–it distinguishes them from everyone else. They stand out. If you can understand why they act the way they do, even if you don’t agree with the actions themselves, then you’re getting a good look into the character. A believable character. We’re all different in so many ways. Creating distinct motivations for your characters is a great way to stand out as a writer and win over your readers.
For Iris Blackwell, her reasons for wanting to live a solitary life are simple: she doesn’t trust anyone to ever see her for who she really is. A lot of this stems from her growing up years as a Blackwell Belle; she never felt seen. Not really. She was just part of the group, never an individual. Living her life on her terms, with no one else to count on and no one to count on her? That’s a safe place for her. Which of course meant I needed to give her a down to the roots hero who is solidly in place as a family man. Why? Because… conflict. Stay tuned for part 3!
Amy Vastine (A COWGIRL’S THANKSGIVING KISS, November 2024):
Motivation is the driving force behind why your characters care about their goal. If they don’t really care, then what’s stopping them from giving it all up for that handsome guy who just moved to town? The story dies before it even begins. Motivation is the reason they do what they do. It’s what makes your characters real and complete.
In my story, a promotion is a way for J.R. to prove that she belongs in her chosen field. Bull breeding is very male-dominated, and J.R. wants to show the world that a woman can do it too. This promotion also helps her provide for her daughter, Tessa, who she’s raising as a single mother. A better job betters not only her life but her daughter’s. As a mom, that’s huge motivation.
Hunter’s motivation to win J.R.’s affection has been building over time. He respects her, he enjoys her company, and he loves a challenge. She is definitely a challenge. Then there’s that little issue of the bull-riding. He is motivated to get back on a bull because he would like to prove he can do it. It’s all he’s ever known and there is a drive to get back to what he knows instead of feeling a little bit like an imposter in the breeding world. I think we all can relate to wanting to go back to a time when we were stronger, healthier, more successful. Very motivating!
Cari Lynn Webb (A COWGIRL’S CHRISTMAS REUNION, December 2024):
Motivation is nothing more and nothing less than the why. I learned from a writing mentor to ask why and keep asking why. To not settle for the simple answer, but to keep digging deeper and deeper into each character. The more whys you ask, the richer the character becomes. Because no one is one dimensional and the simple whys don’t give a character depth. And insider tip – sometimes the motivation might be selfish or perhaps even slightly less than heroic, but that’s okay because that gets right into the heart of a character and that’s where all the interesting pieces are. It’s those interesting tidbits that are going to make for some really terrific character growth. And a character that grows is a memorable one.
Willow Blackwell blames herself for injuring her sister during a performance and causing the Blackwell Belles to disband. And Willow believes that because her performance that evening was not flawless, she lost everything, including her sisters, who walked out on her. Now, she is determined to make her dreams come true on her own terms and become a star because only then will she have a perfect life. Willow believes she needs to be someone more – someone perfect – to have true happiness and to be loved. This is Willow’s motivation – the driver – for every decision and every choice she makes in the story. There are layers to Willow’s motivation that are uncovered throughout the story and things she learns about herself that gives her that character growth.
Creating believable motivation for your characters is such a great way to deepen your stories; it really does help build a connection between you and your readers because they know you see your main characters as real people with realistic issues and problems. All of which they can overcome with the help of the right person.
See you next issue!
Meet the Authors:
Melinda Curtis grew up on an isolated sheep ranch, where mountain lions had been seen and yet she roamed unaccompanied. Being a rather optimistic, clueless of danger, sort she took to playing “what if” games that led her to become an author. She spends days trying to figure out new ways to say “He made her heart pound.” That might sound boring, but the challenge keeps her mentally ahead of her 3 kids and college sweetheart husband. A Cowgirl Never Forgets is out now!
Carol Ross lives with her husband and two dogs (a perfect border collie and a perfectly loveable miscreant of a dachshund) in a small town in Washington near both the ocean and the mountains. She loves the Northwest because, when the temperamental weather cooperates, she enjoys hiking, running, skiing, and spending time outdoors. And when it doesn’t…she dons a raincoat, or gets lost in a book. She enjoys reading in many genres but writes about what she loves the most-romance. A Cowgirl Finds Home is out now!
USA Today and national bestselling author Anna J. Stewart can’t remember a time she didn’t have a book in her hands or a story in her head. Early obsessions with Star Wars, Star Trek, and Wonder Woman set her on the path to creating sweet to sexy pulse-pounding romances for her independent heroines. Anna lives in Northern California where she deals with a serious Supernatural addiction and two monstrous cats named Rosie and Sherlock. A Cowgirl on his Doorstep is out September 21st!
Amy Vastine has been plotting stories in her head for as long as she can remember. An eternal optimist, she studied social work, hoping to teach others how to find their silver lining. Now, she enjoys creating happily-ever-afters for all to read. Amy is an empty-nester living outside of Chicago with her high school sweetheart-turned-husband and their two sweet but mischievous pups. A Cowgirl’s Thanksgiving Kiss is out October 22nd!
Cari Lynn Webb lives in Florida with her husband. She’s been blessed to see the power of true love in her grandparent’s 70-year marriage and her parent’s marriage of over 50 years. She knows love isn’t always sweet and perfect, it can be challenging, complicated and risky. But she believes happily-ever-afters are worth fighting for. She loves to connect with readers. A Cowgirl’s Christmas Reunion is out November 26th!
