A Page-Turning Plot = A Character-In-Action (Secrets Of Narrative Drive), by Sarah Mussi

A plot driven by a character-in-action is the most compelling kind of story and the one that will most effectively create narrative drive. So I’m going to list a few things to consider around this point.

I’m suggesting that a page-turning plot = a character-in-action

If character is conveyed by the decisions a person makes under pressure or when faced with situations that force that person to the extreme, then pressure on someone can be said to be motivation

This leads me to :

Secrets of Narrative Drive

Secret Number 9

drum roll…  tada!

Dramatic action is equal to decision 

• internal (resolutions), or
• external (actions).

External decisions are made by the character. They are proactive. They do not happen to the character, with the character’s actions treated as a function of things happening to them. The character’s decisions become the reader’s means of working out the character’s motivations. In other words:

• The goal of the character is shown in actions.
• Motivation is what makes the story dramatic.
• Obstacles are what creates conflict.
• A character-in-action with obstacles shows external or dramatic motivation.
• Why a character seeks out conflict shows internal motivation through goal orientation.
• This adds up to ‘something meaningful is going to happen’.

• Make sure your protagonist makes decisions that result in action.
• Make sure each decision to act takes your protagonist further toward their goal.