A story’s success depends on the emotional depth of its characters and the changes they undergo as the story unfolds. What shapes these? Their character goals. These are a type of goals that ignite the imagination, make characters more relatable, and ensure that we remember them.
Below, we’ll explore what internal goals are, why they matter, examples from well-known stories, and actionable tips for incorporating goals into your writing.
What Is an Internal Goal?
An internal goal is a desire or need that shapes a character’s inner journey in a story. These stand in contrast with external goals (like winning a race, stopping a bad guy, or finding a treasure).
Internal goals focus on things that are harder to see, like emotions and deep personal needs. The distinction lies in openness vs. things beneath the surface.
To illustrate, consider a character’s desire to become CEO of a Fortune 500 company. It’s an external goal. Now, let the same character also long for her father’s approval. Her longing is an internal goal. It’s far less tangible than her desire to become CEO; and related to needs that are deeply personal and emotional.
In summary, internal goals are:
- Intangible: Related to emotions, beliefs, or self-perception.
- Transformational: Involve personal growth or change.
- Conflict-Driven: Often at odds with external goals or other characters.
- Subtext: Not directly stated but revealed through actions and choices.
Why Inner Goals Are Important
Internal goals are the emotional heart of a story. They add depth to characters and turn them into people we can relate to, instead of flat figures that fail to connect with readers.
Here’s why internal goals are crucial in storytelling:
Character Relatability
Readers connect with characters who show human desires and struggles. They relate to characters who are trying to overcome fear, find love, or increase their sense of self-worth. And they invest in their stories.
Character Development
The pursuit of an internal goal often drives a character’s arc. As they confront obstacles and make choices, they evolve—for better or worse. This growth keeps readers invested in their journey.
Emotional Stakes
Internal goals add emotional weight to external conflicts. For instance, a hero battling a villain may be motivated by a need to prove their worth to themselves. This layered motivation makes the stakes feel higher and more personal.
Thematic Depth
The theme of a story is the universal truth or lesson woven throughout its narrative. Internal goals are part of showing a story’s theme. For example, a character trying to make things right might show themes like forgiveness or getting a second chance.
Internal Goals Examples
To better understand internal goals, let’s look at a few examples from well-known stories:
Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings
In The Lord of the Rings, Frodo Baggins has an important job: to destroy the One Ring and save Middle-earth. But his journey isn’t just about the ring. Deep down, Frodo wants to prove that he is brave and strong, even though he’s just a regular hobbit.
His inner goal helps him keep going through all the hard times, making his story about both saving the world and growing as a person.
Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice
In Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth Bennet has to deal with the pressure to marry and make her family happy. Everyone around her has different ideas about what she should do, and it’s not always easy to figure out the right choice.
At the same time, Elizabeth is learning to see past her own quick judgments about people. She has to work on understanding who they really are on the inside, not just how they appear at first.
This struggle between her pride and being more open creates the ups and downs in her relationship with Mr. Darcy and makes her journey so interesting.
Luke Skywalker in Star Wars: A New Hope
In Star Wars: A New Hope, Luke Skywalker’s mission is to fight the Galactic Empire and destroy the Death Star. But his journey is about more than just battles and spaceships.
Deep down, Luke has to learn to believe in himself and accept his destiny as a Jedi. At first, he struggles with self-doubt and wonders if he’s strong enough to succeed. As he grows, his confidence builds, and he begins to embrace the hero he is meant to be.
This inner journey makes his fight against the Empire even more powerful and gives the story real emotional depth.
Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games
In The Hunger Games, Katniss Everdeen’s main goal is to survive the deadly competition. But her journey is about more than just staying alive.
Deep down, she is driven by her love for her family and her determination to protect them. At the same time, Katniss struggles to hold on to her humanity in a world that forces her to make tough and often cruel choices.
Her inner fight to stay true to herself, while facing impossible situations, adds depth to her character and shows why she is such a strong and memorable heroine.
Tips for Writing Internal Goals for Characters
You too can create internal goals to make your characters feel real and relatable, to show what your characters truly want deep inside, not just what they are trying to do on the outside. As you do, you will add emotion to your story and help readers connect with your characters.
To get started, it’s important to think about your characters’ feelings, fears, and dreams. Here are some simple tips to help you write internal goals:
Understand Your Character’s Backstory
Internal goals often come from a character’s experiences, beliefs, or hurts. Take time to explore their history to figure out the wants or fears that shape how they act.
Questions to Consider:
- What formative events shaped your character?
- What fears or insecurities do they carry?
- What do they believe about themselves or the world?
Tie Internal and External Goals Together
Internal and external goals are different, but they should work together. When they do, it makes the story more interesting and exciting. Consider how reaching the external goal will help (or go against) the internal goal.
Example:
A detective working on a big case (external) might also want to prove they are good at their job (internal). Solving the case doesn’t mean they feel successful inside, which can create an interesting conflict.
Show, Don’t Tell
Show a character’s internal goals through their actions, words, and hints instead of directly explaining them. Let readers figure out what the character wants by watching what they do and how they react.
Techniques:
- Use symbolic actions (e.g., a character’s meticulous care of a keepsake reveals their longing for the past).
- Write dialogue with double meanings or subtext.
- Highlight moments of internal conflict during key decisions.
Create Obstacles
Internal goals should not be easy to achieve. Introduce challenges, doubts, or opposing desires that force the character to confront their fears or flaws.
Types of Obstacles:
- External: Situations or characters that challenge the internal goal.
- Internal: Conflicting desires or fears within the character.
Ensure Growth or Transformation
A satisfying story will involve characters either achieving their internal goal or realizing they need something different. Show how the pursuit of the goal changes them by the story’s end.
Examples:
- A character seeking love learns self-acceptance is the key to healthy relationships.
- A hero seeking revenge discovers forgiveness is superior.
Use Themes to Reinforce Internal Goals
Align your character’s internal goal with the story’s central themes. This cohesion strengthens the narrative and creates a more unified experience for readers.
Example:
In a story about redemption, a protagonist’s internal goal to forgive themselves can echo the broader theme of second chances.
Avoid Clichés
While internal goals tap into universal desires, strive for originality. Give your character unique motivations and struggles that set them apart from familiar archetypes.
Tips:
- Combine unexpected traits or desires (e.g., a warrior seeking inner peace).
- Explore nuanced emotions or conflicts rather than broad generalizations.
Balance Internal and External Focus
Ensure internal goals don’t overshadow the plot or vice versa. A well-rounded story balances the character’s personal journey with the external stakes and action.
Example:
A suspense novel can weave a protagonist’s struggle with self-doubt into the race to stop a criminal, keeping both aspects equally engaging.
Conclusion
Internal goals are the key to creating characters readers will care about and remember. They bring emotion, depth, and personal stakes into your story, turning it into more than a series of events. By giving your characters meaningful internal goals, you allow them to grow, face challenges, and connect with readers on a deeper level.
As you craft your story, think about how these goals shape your characters’ choices and how they link to the story’s bigger ideas. Whether it’s Frodo proving his courage, Elizabeth learning to see people clearly, or Katniss fighting to protect her family, internal goals make characters feel real. They remind us that, like in real life, the biggest battles happen inside us.
So, take your time to create internal goals that matter, and watch as your characters and story come to life.
You’ve got this!