When you dive REALLY deeply into the Art & Craft of Story, one of the most important things that you learn about your characters is the Want vs Need arc.

Wants drive the story. Needs DEFINE the story.

Story is about life. Usually human life.

To figure out these two things is to figure out life.

Me.Myself.I. WANT a big house, an Aston Martin, a wardrobe full of designer clothes and shoes, a partner who will always be there for me, my Landrover Defender back, at least £zillion in the bank etc etc.

What I actually need to live is Air, Water, Food, A Roof over my Head, Warmth in the Cold, Cool in the Heat. A few clothes. A comfortable bed. Freedom. A close companion (dog?)….a pen and some paper.

It’s quite simple.

P.S. That’s why I love the Good Old Murder Mystery so much. The murderer is ALWAYS a person driven by WANTS!