How Your Main Character’s Traits and Motivations Drive the Story

Stories are driven by who the characters are, as well as their desires and motivations, explains writer and producer Craig Miller. He uses the example of Raiders of the Lost Ark . In the film, Indiana Jones threatens to blow up the ark if the villains don’t release their hostage. But the lead villain knows Jones values archaeology and history too much to damage the ark. When this is pointed out Jones knows his bluff has been called. Miller says there is not a precise process to figuring out what...