Criteria For Creating Successful Story Goals

  1. Possession Of: Your protagonist must try to gain possession of something – an object, a person, or information.
  2. Relief From: Your protagonist must try to gain relief from something tangible – a threat, an object, a person, an animal, or a condition such as oppression or persecution, and relief from something emotional – fear, pain, sadness, despair.
  3. Terrible Consequences If: Your protagonist must face terrible consequences if he fails to achieve his story goal.
  4. A Worthy Motivation For: Your protagonist must have a worthy motivation for pursuing his goal. These could include duty, freedom, love, honour, justice, dignity, integrity, redemption, self-respect, and survival.
  5. Face Tremendous Odds: Your protagonist must face tremendous odds. It should appear impossible for your protagonist to achieve this goal.