GMC Wizard
I’m a big fan of Debra Dixon’s book: GMC: Goal, Motivation, and Conflict. I read this book every time I start a new project. Why? Because the book really helps me stay on track with what the plot bunny comes up with in my head. Book ideas are great, but they won’t help make a great book if my protagonist or antagonist are walking around randomly with no goals and reasons why they do what they do. To help facilitate the brainstorming process I created the GMC Wizard. (Especially when I got tired of creating my own grid each and every time.)
Updated 8-21-2023
Goal, motivation, and conflict. These are the ingredients of the dish the writer cooks to make an enticing book for the reader. Let's build all the goals, motivation, and conflict for your character.
Use the sections below to guide you in creating Goal-Motivation-Conflict statements.
- You start with the goal, then the motivation for that goal and finally the conflict.
- Once you complete the statements, you can click the "Copy to Clipboard" button. Go to your favorite editor like MS Word, etc. and hit paste.
What is the ultimate goal or reward that your character wants? What should they have done/accomplished by the end of the book?
Why is your character motivated to accomplish the goal above? What tangible thing drives them to the finish line? This part is important since you want to keep the reader reading with a focused motivation.
The Protagonist
...because
Example: The protagonist must raise a large sum of money because the bank has foreclosed on her family's home.
The main character has an urgent goal to raise money or lose her house.
Why can't your character reach their goal? (Or even why should they NOT reach it?)
The Protagonist because
...but
Example: The protagonist must raise a large sum of money since the bank has foreclosed on her family's home, but she lost her job last month.
The main character has a big conflict to keep her from easily reaching her goal.
The Protagonist because but .
You've finished the external GMC! Time to move on to the internal. Is your external GMC something associated with the whole manuscript or just one scene? Keep up the good work!
Internal goals relate to emotions and thoughts that emerge from within your character. What does their heart desire? By the end of the book what would make them happy or feel a sense of accomplishment?
Why is your character motivated to accomplish the internal goal? What has happened that motivates them to accomplish the goal?
The Protagonist
...because
Example: The protagonist needs to learn how to trust his alcoholic sister because she has completed rehab again, secured a job, and she is trying to reconnect with him.
Why can't your character reach their goal? (Or even why should they NOT reach it?) What feelings are in the way? What might happen?
The Protagonist because
...but
Example:The protagonist needs to learn how to trust their alcoholic sister because she has completed rehab and she is trying to reconnect with them, but the protagonist is tired of saving her over and over again when she relapses. This internal conflict should keep the protagonist from their goal.
The Protagonist because but .
You've finished the internal GMC! Is your internal GMC something associated with the whole manuscript or just one scene?
| External | Internal | |
|---|---|---|
| Goal | ||
| Motivation | ||
| Conflict |