{"id":56777,"date":"2026-11-06T11:57:06","date_gmt":"2026-11-06T10:57:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.grin.com\/magazin\/want-vs-need-was-deine-figur-wirklich-braucht\/"},"modified":"2026-11-06T13:21:36","modified_gmt":"2026-11-06T12:21:36","slug":"want-vs-need-what-your-character-really-needs","status":"publish","type":"magazin-studierende","link":"https:\/\/www.grin.com\/en\/magazin\/self-publishing\/want-vs-need-what-your-character-really-needs\/","title":{"rendered":"Want vs. Need: What Your Character Really Needs"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"56777\" class=\"elementor elementor-56777 elementor-56516\" data-elementor-post-type=\"magazin-studierende\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-426d04c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"426d04c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-65a75eb\" data-id=\"65a75eb\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-64bc969 elementor-toc--minimized-on-tablet elementor-widget elementor-widget-table-of-contents\" data-id=\"64bc969\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;exclude_headings_by_selector&quot;:[],&quot;no_headings_message&quot;:&quot;Es wurden keine \\u00dcberschriften auf dieser Seite gefunden.&quot;,&quot;headings_by_tags&quot;:[&quot;h2&quot;,&quot;h3&quot;,&quot;h4&quot;,&quot;h5&quot;,&quot;h6&quot;],&quot;marker_view&quot;:&quot;numbers&quot;,&quot;minimize_box&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;minimized_on&quot;:&quot;tablet&quot;,&quot;hierarchical_view&quot;:&quot;yes&quot;,&quot;min_height&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;min_height_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"table-of-contents.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__header\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__header-title\">\n\t\t\t\tWhat to expect:\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--expand\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__64bc969\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Open table of contents\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-chevron-down\"><\/i><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__toggle-button elementor-toc__toggle-button--collapse\" role=\"button\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-controls=\"elementor-toc__64bc969\" aria-expanded=\"true\" aria-label=\"Close table of contents\"><i aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"fas fa-chevron-up\"><\/i><\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div id=\"elementor-toc__64bc969\" class=\"elementor-toc__body\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-toc__spinner-container\">\n\t\t\t\t<i class=\"elementor-toc__spinner eicon-animation-spin eicon-loading\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/i>\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f065ae2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f065ae2\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-536ba44\" data-id=\"536ba44\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-41078d5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"41078d5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Key takeaways<\/span><\/b><\/p><ul><li><strong>Want<\/strong> describes what your character consciously wants to achieve or obtain.<\/li><li><strong>Need<\/strong> refers to what your character truly needs on a deeper, often initially unconscious level.<\/li><li><strong>Want<\/strong> is expressed through concrete goals and the actions that result from them.<\/li><li>The <strong>want often forms your character\u2019s external journey<\/strong>, while the <strong>need is connected to their internal journey<\/strong>.<\/li><li>The want drives the <strong>plot<\/strong>, while the need gives the story emotional depth and meaning to the character\u2019s development.<\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e5d9a9b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e5d9a9b\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c1de7ca\" data-id=\"c1de7ca\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-52e5b66 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"52e5b66\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">What does \u201cwant vs. need\u201d actually mean?<\/h2><p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">A character can know exactly what they want \u2013 and still have no idea what they actually need.<\/p><p>This is where the concept of <strong>want vs. need<\/strong> comes in. It describes the tension between a character\u2019s conscious goal and their deeper inner need.<\/p><p>The <strong>want<\/strong> is what your character wants to achieve. They can usually put it into words and shape their actions around it. Perhaps they want to get a particular job, solve a murder, find true love, save their family or win a competition.<\/p><p>The <strong>need<\/strong>, on the other hand, usually lies deeper. It is something the character needs for their personal development. Perhaps they need to learn to trust others, recognize their own boundaries, accept a loss or change their idea of what will make them happy.<\/p><p>The interesting part is that <strong>want and need don\u2019t have to be the same<\/strong>.<\/p><p>In fact, the contrast between them is often what creates the emotional tension at the heart of a story.<\/p><h2 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">The want: What does your character want?<\/h2><p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">The <strong>want<\/strong> is usually easier to identify because it is directly visible in the plot.<\/p><p><strong>Your character has a goal and tries to achieve it.<\/strong> They make decisions, take risks, fail, try again and become increasingly involved in the story as a result.<\/p><p><em>A simple example:<\/em><\/p><p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Your protagonist desperately wants to become the editor-in-chief of a major magazine.<\/p><p>Her goal is clear. She applies for the position, works especially hard, tries to outperform her competitors and may even accept personal sacrifices along the way.\u00a0<strong>The want gets the story moving.<\/strong><\/p><p>Without a goal that a character is pursuing, it can be difficult to build a compelling plot. A character\u2019s decisions and actions often emerge from <strong>what they want to achieve<\/strong>.<\/p><p>The want does not always have to be a concrete, material goal. A character might desperately want recognition, security, freedom or revenge.\u00a0<strong>What matters is that this desire becomes visible through their behavior.<\/strong><\/p><p><em>Ask yourself:<\/em><\/p><ul><li><p>What does my character want?<\/p><\/li><li><p>Why do they want it?<\/p><\/li><li><p>What are they willing to do to achieve it?<\/p><\/li><li><p>What stands in their way?<\/p><\/li><li><p>What happens if they fail?<\/p><\/li><\/ul><p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">The more specifically you can answer these questions, the easier it becomes to connect your character\u2019s want to your plot.<\/p><h2 aria-level=\"2\">The need: What does your character really need?<\/h2><p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">The <strong>need<\/strong> works differently.<\/p><p>Your character does not necessarily know what they truly need. <strong>They may even believe that their want is the solution to their problems.<\/strong><\/p><p>The aspiring editor-in-chief from our example might be convinced:<\/p><blockquote><p><strong>\u201cIf I get this job, I\u2019ll finally be successful and happy.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><\/blockquote><p>But perhaps what she really needs is something completely different. She may need to realize that her entire sense of self-worth cannot depend on professional recognition.<\/p><p><strong>That is her need.<\/strong><\/p><p>The need often exists <strong>beneath the visible action<\/strong>. It may not be stated explicitly at first. Instead, it emerges throughout the story through decisions, conflicts and changes.<\/p><p>That is also why the concept can sometimes be difficult to grasp: <strong>the want is relatively easy to put into words, while the need is often more abstract.<\/strong><\/p><h2 aria-level=\"2\">Want and need: The external and internal journey<\/h2><p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">One helpful way to understand the difference is to think of them as two journeys.<\/p><p>The <strong>want is often part of your character\u2019s external journey<\/strong>. They want to achieve something and have to overcome obstacles along the way. This journey forms an important part of the plot.<\/p><p>The <strong>need, on the other hand, is often part of the internal journey<\/strong>. Your character needs to change, gain an insight or overcome a false belief about themselves, other people or the world.<\/p><p><strong>Both journeys can happen at the same time.<\/strong><\/p><p>Perhaps your character spends the entire story trying to achieve their biggest dream. At the same time, they gradually realize that this dream alone will not solve their problems.<\/p><p>By the end, they may have achieved their original goal \u2013 but, more importantly, they have understood <strong>what they truly need<\/strong>.<\/p><p>Or they may realize that their original want is no longer what they actually want.<\/p><h2 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Why the want drives the plot<\/h2><p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">A good plot is not simply a series of events that happen to your character. Your character\u2019s decisions should shape the story and make them feel tangible and relatable to readers.<\/p><p>This is where the <strong>want<\/strong> becomes particularly important.<\/p><p>When your character desperately wants to achieve something, they become active. <strong>They pursue their goal, make decisions and respond to obstacles.<\/strong><\/p><p>Those decisions can create new conflicts.<\/p><p>For example, a character wants to find a particular person. So they travel to another city. There, they discover a clue that puts them in danger. To get more information, they have to ask someone for help \u2013 someone they do not actually trust. This creates a new conflict.<\/p><p><strong>The want motivates the character to act \u2013 and their actions move the story forward.<\/strong><\/p><p>That is why the want is so closely connected to the plot.<\/p><h2 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Why the need gives your story emotional depth<\/h2><p data-pm-slice=\"1 2 []\">A plot can work without a strong <strong>need<\/strong>. Your character can pursue a goal, overcome obstacles and ultimately succeed.<\/p><p>But something may still be missing.<\/p><p>Readers are not only interested in <strong>whether a character achieves their goal<\/strong>. They also want to know what the journey does to them.<\/p><p>The <strong>need<\/strong> often gives the story its emotional dimension.<\/p><p>For example, a character might win a competition. But if, along the way, they learn to deal with the possibility of failure, stop defining their self-worth solely through achievement or learn to trust other people, their journey has gained a deeper meaning.<\/p><p>The <strong>want<\/strong> makes us want to know <strong>what happens<\/strong>.<\/p><p>The <strong>need<\/strong> makes us care about <strong>what it means for the character<\/strong>.<\/p><p>Or, in short:<\/p><p><strong>The want gets the plot moving. The need gives the story emotional weight.<\/strong><\/p><h2 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">When want and need collide<\/h2><p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Things become particularly interesting when the <strong>want and need conflict with each other<\/strong>.<\/p><p>Your character may desperately want to achieve something, but that very desire initially prevents them from getting what they truly need.<\/p><p><em>An example:<\/em><\/p><p><strong>Want:<\/strong> A young writer desperately wants to write a bestseller.<\/p><p><strong>Need:<\/strong> She needs to learn to find her own voice and stop measuring her worth solely by sales figures.<\/p><p>As long as she believes that the success of her book determines her worth, she will continue making decisions that go against what she actually needs.<\/p><p>The conflict between want and need can therefore become a central part of her character development.<\/p><h2 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Does the want have to be fulfilled in the end?<\/h2><p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">No.\u00a0The <strong>want does not necessarily have to be fulfilled<\/strong> for a story to work.<\/p><p>Sometimes a character achieves their goal and realizes that it was not the solution they expected.<\/p><p>Sometimes they give up their original want because, over the course of the story, they realize that something else matters more.<\/p><p>And sometimes they achieve both: They get what they wanted while also discovering what they truly need.<\/p><p>What matters is not that there is a particular type of ending. What matters is <strong>that the character\u2019s development feels believable and meaningful<\/strong>.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6158e62 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"6158e62\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e03bbc3\" data-id=\"e03bbc3\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-967fc37 elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"967fc37\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-sm\" href=\"https:\/\/www.grin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/11\/Reflexionsbogen_Want-vs.-Need_engl.pdf\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Reflection Worksheet: Want vs. Need \u2013  What Does Your Character Want and What Do They Really Need?<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b802cf2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b802cf2\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3083b66\" data-id=\"3083b66\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-06f1bef elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"06f1bef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Want and need don\u2019t have to be complicated<\/h2><p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">You do not need a complicated psychological concept to work with want and need.<\/p><p>Sometimes a simple contrast is enough:<\/p><p><strong>She wants:<\/strong> to be independent.<br \/><strong>She needs:<\/strong> to accept that she can trust other people.<\/p><p><strong>He wants:<\/strong> to become famous.<br \/><strong>He needs:<\/strong> to stop seeking validation exclusively from others.<\/p><p><strong>She wants:<\/strong> to win back the love of her life.<br \/><strong>She needs:<\/strong> to learn to let go.<\/p><p><strong>He wants:<\/strong> revenge.<br \/><strong>He needs:<\/strong> to make peace with his past.<\/p><p>These kinds of contrasts can help you connect your plot and character development.<\/p><h2 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">What happens when a character only has a want?<\/h2><p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">A character can have a clear goal and still feel flat.<\/p><p>This is particularly likely when the story consists entirely of the character pursuing an external goal without anything changing internally as a result.<\/p><p>An exciting plot alone does not guarantee an emotional connection.<\/p><p>If authors focus too heavily on a character\u2019s surface-level desires, the story can therefore be eventful while still feeling emotionally empty. The deeper <strong>need<\/strong> transforms a series of plot events into a personal journey.<\/p><p><strong>Readers do not just want to see what your character achieves. They want to understand why it matters to them \u2013 and how the journey changes them.<\/strong><\/p><h2 data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Conclusion: What your character wants isn\u2019t always what they need<\/h2><p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"><strong>Want and need are two sides of the same character development.<\/strong><\/p><p>The want gives your character a goal. It makes them act, make decisions and drive the plot forward.<\/p><p>The need lies deeper. It describes the internal change your character needs to go through over the course of the story.<\/p><p>A story becomes particularly powerful when both levels are connected: <strong>The external journey gets your character moving, while the internal journey changes them.<\/strong><\/p><p>So when you develop your next protagonist, don\u2019t just ask:<\/p><p><strong>\u201cWhat do they want?\u201d<\/strong><\/p><p>Also ask:<\/p><p><strong>\u201cWhat do they really need?\u201d<\/strong><\/p><p>The answer to the second question could give your story exactly the emotional depth that turns a good plot into a story that stays with readers long after they have finished the last page.<\/p><p>\u00a0<\/p><h2><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Sources:<\/span><\/b><\/h2><ul><li><p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 [&quot;list&quot;,{&quot;spread&quot;:false,&quot;start&quot;:12162,&quot;end&quot;:12271},&quot;regular_list_item&quot;,{&quot;start&quot;:12162,&quot;end&quot;:12188}]\">Cover image: Adobe Stock<\/p><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.septembercfawkes.com\/2021\/02\/characters-want-vs-need-explained-4.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Character&#8217;s Want vs. Need (Explained 4 Different Ways)<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hiddengemsbooks.com\/need-vs-want-in-storytelling\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">hiddengemsbooks.com<\/span><\/a><\/li><\/ul>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-9fa508c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"9fa508c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6103319\" data-id=\"6103319\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b6745ba elementor-widget elementor-widget-grin-akkordeon-content-widget\" data-id=\"b6745ba\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"grin-akkordeon-content-widget.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"akkordeon-content-container icon-color-petrol\">\r\n    <h2 class=\"large\">Frequently asked questions:<\/h2>\r\n    <div class=\"details-item\">\n    <div class=\"details-tab\">What is the difference between want and need?<\/div>\n    <div class=\"details-content\"><p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\"><strong>Want<\/strong> is a character\u2019s conscious goal \u2013 what they want to achieve or obtain. <strong>Need<\/strong>, on the other hand, describes what they need on a deeper level for their personal development. The character is often unaware of their need at first.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"details-item\">\n    <div class=\"details-tab\">Do want and need always have to be different?<\/div>\n    <div class=\"details-content\"><p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">No. They can overlap or gradually move closer together throughout the story. However, a conflict between what a character wants and what they actually need can often be particularly interesting.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"details-item\">\n    <div class=\"details-tab\">How do I find my protagonist\u2019s need?<\/div>\n    <div class=\"details-content\"><p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Ask yourself what internal change your character should go through over the course of the story. What false belief do they need to overcome? What do they need to learn, accept or let go of? The answers can help you identify their need.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"details-item\">\n    <div class=\"details-tab\">How do want and need affect the plot?<\/div>\n    <div class=\"details-content\"><p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">The <strong>want<\/strong> often provides the concrete goal that drives the action forward. The <strong>need<\/strong>, meanwhile, influences the character\u2019s internal development. When the two levels are connected, external conflicts can also drive character development.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div><div class=\"details-item\">\n    <div class=\"details-tab\">Can a character have multiple wants?<\/div>\n    <div class=\"details-content\"><p data-pm-slice=\"1 1 []\">Yes. A character can pursue different goals throughout a story. What matters is that these wants are believable and fit meaningfully into the overarching plot and character development.<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-37091f8 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"37091f8\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-302012f6\" data-id=\"302012f6\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-633ef7ef elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"633ef7ef\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-56e302b4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"56e302b4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h2>Want to keep reading?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-556c0762 elementor-grid-3 elementor-grid-tablet-2 elementor-grid-mobile-1 elementor-posts--thumbnail-top elementor-card-shadow-yes elementor-posts__hover-gradient elementor-widget elementor-widget-posts\" data-id=\"556c0762\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;cards_columns&quot;:&quot;3&quot;,&quot;cards_columns_tablet&quot;:&quot;2&quot;,&quot;cards_columns_mobile&quot;:&quot;1&quot;,&quot;cards_row_gap&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:35,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_tablet&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]},&quot;cards_row_gap_mobile&quot;:{&quot;unit&quot;:&quot;px&quot;,&quot;size&quot;:&quot;&quot;,&quot;sizes&quot;:[]}}\" data-widget_type=\"posts.cards\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-posts-container elementor-posts elementor-posts--skin-cards elementor-grid\" role=\"list\">\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-51731 magazin-studierende type-magazin-studierende status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry collections-self-publishing\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.grin.com\/en\/magazin\/self-publishing\/character-development-writing-consistently-with-character-sheets\/\" tabindex=\"-1\"><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"135\" src=\"https:\/\/www.grin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Figurensteckbriefe_Blog-300x135.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-51730\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.grin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Figurensteckbriefe_Blog-300x135.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.grin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Figurensteckbriefe_Blog-768x346.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.grin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Figurensteckbriefe_Blog.jpg 800w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.grin.com\/en\/magazin\/self-publishing\/character-development-writing-consistently-with-character-sheets\/\">\n\t\t\t\tCharacter Development: Writing Consistently with Character Sheets\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.grin.com\/en\/magazin\/self-publishing\/character-development-writing-consistently-with-character-sheets\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Character Development: Writing Consistently with Character Sheets\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-51277 magazin-studierende type-magazin-studierende status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry collections-self-publishing\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.grin.com\/en\/magazin\/self-publishing\/journaling-for-authors\/\" tabindex=\"-1\"><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"135\" src=\"https:\/\/www.grin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Journaling_Blog-300x135.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-51276\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.grin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Journaling_Blog-300x135.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.grin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Journaling_Blog-1024x461.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.grin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Journaling_Blog-768x346.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.grin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Journaling_Blog-150x68.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.grin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Journaling_Blog.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.grin.com\/en\/magazin\/self-publishing\/journaling-for-authors\/\">\n\t\t\t\tJournaling Instead of Note Chaos: How Authors Organize Their Inspiration\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.grin.com\/en\/magazin\/self-publishing\/journaling-for-authors\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Journaling Instead of Note Chaos: How Authors Organize Their Inspiration\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<article class=\"elementor-post elementor-grid-item post-51263 magazin-studierende type-magazin-studierende status-publish format-standard has-post-thumbnail hentry collections-self-publishing\" role=\"listitem\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__card\">\n\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail__link\" href=\"https:\/\/www.grin.com\/en\/magazin\/self-publishing\/plotting-for-authors\/\" tabindex=\"-1\"><div class=\"elementor-post__thumbnail\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"300\" height=\"135\" src=\"https:\/\/www.grin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Plotten_Blog-300x135.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium size-medium wp-image-51261\" alt=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.grin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Plotten_Blog-300x135.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.grin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Plotten_Blog-1024x461.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.grin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Plotten_Blog-768x346.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.grin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Plotten_Blog-150x68.jpg 150w, https:\/\/www.grin.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Plotten_Blog.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/div><\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-post__text\">\n\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-post__title\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/www.grin.com\/en\/magazin\/self-publishing\/plotting-for-authors\/\">\n\t\t\t\tPlotting for Authors\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t<\/h4>\n\t\t\n\t\t<a class=\"elementor-post__read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/www.grin.com\/en\/magazin\/self-publishing\/plotting-for-authors\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Plotting for Authors\" tabindex=\"-1\">\n\t\t\tRead More \u00bb\t\t<\/a>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/article>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-438c67d3 elementor-widget-divider--view-line elementor-widget elementor-widget-divider\" data-id=\"438c67d3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"divider.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-divider\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-divider-separator\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7dab18be elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"7dab18be\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-48555c7b\" data-id=\"48555c7b\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-79caf91 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"79caf91\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Do you like our magazine? Then sign up for our GRIN newsletter now!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-27e9819a elementor-button-align-center elementor-mobile-button-align-stretch registr_form_grin elementor-widget elementor-widget-global elementor-global-34452 elementor-widget-form\" data-id=\"27e9819a\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-settings=\"{&quot;step_next_label&quot;:&quot;N\\u00e4chster&quot;,&quot;step_previous_label&quot;:&quot;Voriger&quot;,&quot;button_width&quot;:&quot;100&quot;,&quot;step_type&quot;:&quot;number_text&quot;,&quot;step_icon_shape&quot;:&quot;circle&quot;}\" data-widget_type=\"form.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<form class=\"elementor-form\" method=\"post\" id=\"newsletter_subscription\" name=\"Formular\" aria-label=\"Formular\">\n\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"post_id\" value=\"56777\"\/>\n\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"form_id\" value=\"27e9819a\"\/>\n\t\t\t<input type=\"hidden\" name=\"referer_title\" value=\"\" \/>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-form-fields-wrapper elementor-labels-above\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-type-text elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-name elementor-col-100 elementor-field-required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<label for=\"form-field-name\" class=\"elementor-field-label\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tVorname \/ First name\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<input size=\"1\" type=\"text\" name=\"form_fields[name]\" id=\"form-field-name\" class=\"elementor-field elementor-size-sm  elementor-field-textual\" placeholder=\"Dein Vorname \/ Your first name\" required=\"required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-type-text elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-field_ac13577 elementor-col-100 elementor-field-required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<label for=\"form-field-field_ac13577\" class=\"elementor-field-label\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tNachname \/ Surname\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<input size=\"1\" type=\"text\" name=\"form_fields[field_ac13577]\" id=\"form-field-field_ac13577\" class=\"elementor-field elementor-size-sm  elementor-field-textual\" placeholder=\"Dein Nachmane \/ Your surname\" required=\"required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-type-email elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-group-email elementor-col-100 elementor-field-required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<label for=\"form-field-email\" class=\"elementor-field-label\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tE-Mail\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/label>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<input size=\"1\" type=\"email\" name=\"form_fields[email]\" id=\"form-field-email\" class=\"elementor-field elementor-size-sm  elementor-field-textual\" placeholder=\"email@example.com\" required=\"required\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-field-group elementor-column elementor-field-type-submit elementor-col-100 e-form__buttons\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"elementor-button elementor-size-sm\" type=\"submit\" id=\"subscription\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Jetzt anmelden \/ Sign up now<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<input type='hidden' name='lang' value='en' \/><\/form>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Your protagonist desperately wants to achieve something; but is it really what they need? The concept of \u201cwant\u201d and \u201cneed\u201d can help you create characters with clear goals and believable inner development.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":26,"featured_media":56778,"menu_order":0,"template":"area-article.php","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"no","footnotes":""},"collections":[350],"magazin_studierende_tag":[],"class_list":["post-56777","magazin-studierende","type-magazin-studierende","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","collections-self-publishing"],"acf":{"date":"20261106","date_of_article":"20261106","author":[13270],"reading_time":10},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/magazin-studierende\/56777","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/magazin-studierende"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/magazin-studierende"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/26"}],"version-history":[{"count":9,"href":"https:\/\/www.grin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/magazin-studierende\/56777\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":56789,"href":"https:\/\/www.grin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/magazin-studierende\/56777\/revisions\/56789"}],"acf:post":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/article-author\/13270"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/56778"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.grin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=56777"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"collections","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/collections?post=56777"},{"taxonomy":"magazin_studierende_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.grin.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/magazin_studierende_tag?post=56777"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}