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Here’s a Very Common Character Mistake! #author #writer #writing #books #publishing

4 Sept 2026 · 1 min

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In this brief instructional video, the speaker warns writers against giving two characters the same desire for the same reason, as it eliminates conflict and narrative interest. The speaker explains that even when characters share a goal, they must have distinct motivations or methods to create tension. An illustrative example is provided: two police officers both want a criminal to confess, but one is driven by a sense of duty to uphold the law, while the other is motivated by personal vengeance, leading to conflict. The video concludes with a call to subscribe for more writing tips.

Chapters

Here's a character mistake almost every writer makes. Your story should never have 2 characters that want the same thing for the same reasons. When you have 2 characters that have the exact same objects of desire, there is no conflict, which means there is nothing interesting that will happen. Even characters that want the same thing should have different reasons for wanting it and different ways of going about getting it. 2 cops want the criminal to confess. One wants to obey the law and the other one wants to beat the criminal until they confess. Now the story has some conflict and it's going to get interesting for the reader. For more writing tips, subscribe below.