How to Plot Your Novel's Goals

How to Plot Your Novel’s Goals

The blank page, for many, is a terrifying void. Even with a brilliant premise, the sheer scale of a novel can be paralyzing. The secret to conquering this fear, to filling that void with a compelling narrative, lies not in spontaneous brilliance but in deliberate plotting – specifically, in meticulously understanding and strategically plotting your novel’s goals. This isn’t just about what your character wants; it’s about the interwoven tapestry of objectives, conflicts, and resolutions that propel your story from tantalizing concept to satisfying conclusion.

This definitive guide will dissect the art and science of plotting novel goals, moving beyond superficial checklists to provide concrete, actionable strategies. We’ll explore the different types of goals, their interrelationships, and how to weave them into a robust narrative structure that captivates readers and leaves them clamoring for more.

The Foundational Goal: The Driving Force of Your Narrative

Every novel, regardless of genre, hinges on a central, overriding goal. This is the Foundational Goal, the single most important objective that motivates your protagonist and, by extension, your entire story. It’s the mountain they must climb, the mystery they must solve, the enemy they must defeat. Without a clear Foundational Goal, your narrative drifts aimlessly.

Why it matters: The Foundational Goal provides purpose. It gives your character a reason to act, to struggle, to overcome. It’s the answer to the reader’s subconscious question: “Why am I reading this story?”

Concrete Example:

Fantasy: Frodo Baggins’s Foundational Goal is to destroy the One Ring in the fires of Mount Doom. Every step, every encounter, every sacrifice is in service of this single, world-altering objective.
Thriller: A detective’s Foundational Goal might be to apprehend a serial killer before they strike again. The ticking clock and rising body count imbue this goal with urgent stakes.
Romance: The Foundational Goal could be for two characters to find lasting love and happiness together, overcoming external obstacles and internal insecurities.

Actionable Steps:

Define it succinctly: Can you encapsulate your novel’s Foundational Goal in a single, powerful sentence? If not, it’s not clear enough.
Establish its stakes: What happens if the Foundational Goal isn’t achieved? The higher the stakes (personal, societal, global), the more compelling the journey.
Ensure it’s difficult: An easily achieved Foundational Goal makes for a very short, uninteresting novel. It must require significant effort, sacrifice, and growth from your protagonist.

Beyond the Horizon: Long-Term Character Goals

While the Foundational Goal propels the plot, Long-Term Character Goals delve deeper into the protagonist’s intrinsic motivations and desires that extend beyond the immediate plot. These are often aspirational, deeply personal, and may even be subconscious at the story’s outset. They represent who the character wants to be or what they truly need, often unfulfilled from their backstory.

Why it matters: Long-Term Character Goals provide emotional depth and character arc. They dictate the internal journey, which is often as compelling, if not more so, than the external plot. Achieving the Foundational Goal without addressing a Long-Term Character Goal can feel hollow.

Concrete Example:

Character: A fiercely independent warrior.
Foundational Goal: Defeat the tyrannical emperor.
Long-Term Character Goal: To find a place of belonging and trust, overcoming a deeply ingrained fear of vulnerability due to past betrayals. The external fight against the emperor creates situationsforcing them to rely on others, inadvertently addressing this deeper need.
Thriller: A brilliant but socially awkward hacker.
Foundational Goal: Expose a massive corporate conspiracy.
Long-Term Character Goal: To gain acceptance and respect, moving beyond being perceived as a societal outcast. Success in the Foundational Goal could bring this, or failure could reinforce their solitude.

Actionable Steps:

Connect to backstory: What past experiences or deficiencies led to this Long-Term Goal?
Internal vs. External: Distinguish between what the character thinks they want (often the Foundational Goal) and what they truly need (the Long-Term Character Goal). This often forms the core of their arc.
Show, Don’t Tell: Reveal these goals through the character’s actions, reactions, and internal monologue, rather than explicitly stating them.

The Immediate Pressure: Short-Term Scene Goals

A novel isn’t just one big goal; it’s a series of smaller, interlocking objectives. Short-Term Scene Goals are the immediate, tangible objectives a character attempts to achieve within a single scene or a very small sequence of scenes. These goals are stepping stones towards the Foundational Goal and often reveal aspects of the Long-Term Character Goal.

Why it matters: Scene goals create pacing, provide immediate conflict, and keep the reader invested moment-to-moment. Without them, scenes feel stagnant and without purpose.

Concrete Example:

Foundational Goal: Destroy the One Ring.
Scene Goal 1: Frodo’s goal in the Shire is to escape the Nazgûl.
Scene Goal 2: His goal in Rivendell is to convince the Council to help him.
Scene Goal 3: His goal in Moria is to get the fellowship through the mines alive.
Thriller: A detective’s Foundational Goal is to catch the killer.
Scene Goal 1: In a suspect interview scene, the detective’s goal is to gain an admission.
Scene Goal 2: In a chase scene, their goal is to corner the fleeing suspect.
Scene Goal 3: In a forensic lab scene, their goal is to identify the unknown substance.

Actionable Steps:

Scene by Scene: For every significant scene, ask: “What is my character trying to achieve here, and why?”
Raise the Stakes (Mini-Scale): Even small scene goals should have mini-stakes. What happens if they fail this specific objective?
Conflict is Key: Design scene goals that are met with immediate opposition, whether from another character, the environment, or the character’s own internal struggles. Opposition fuels engagement.

The Adversary’s Ambition: Opposing Goals

For every goal your protagonist pursues, there must be an opposing force. This opposition isn’t always a mustache-twirling villain; it can be an antagonist, an external obstacle, societal pressure, or even an internal flaw. Whatever its form, this creates Opposing Goals, objectives that directly thwart your protagonist’s progress.

Why it matters: Opposing Goals create conflict, tension, and stakes. They provide the resistance that forces your character to grow, adapt, and fight. A story without opposing goals is a story without drama.

Concrete Example:

Protagonist’s Foundational Goal: Frodo wants to destroy the Ring.
Sauron’s Opposing Goal: To recover the Ring and dominate Middle-earth.
Internal Opposition: The Ring’s corrupting influence directly opposes Frodo’s will to destroy it, creating an internal battle.
Romantic Comedy:
Protagonist’s Foundational Goal: To win the affection of their love interest.
Antagonist’s Opposing Goal: To win the affection of the same love interest, or perhaps to drive them apart for personal gain.
Situational Opposition: Misunderstandings, societal expectations, differing life paths.

Actionable Steps:

Define your antagonist’s motivation: What do they want, and why? Their goals should be as clear and compelling as your protagonist’s.
Show the opposition: Don’t just tell the reader there’s an antagonist; show their actions directly impeding your protagonist’s progress.
Vary the opposition: Opposition can come from multiple sources – a primary antagonist, secondary characters, the environment, fate, or the protagonist’s own flaws.

Elevating the Stakes: The Ultimate Goal (Consequences of Failure)

While the Foundational Goal defines the narrative, the Ultimate Goal defines the scope of its consequences. It’s what stands to be lost if the Foundational Goal is not achieved. This isn’t just the opposite of what the protagonist wants; it’s the cataclysmic, personal, or societal fallout.

Why it matters: The Ultimate Goal sharpens the stakes. It gives the narrative a gravitas that transcends the immediate plot, making the reader truly care about the outcome. It’s the “if this, then that” of your entire story.

Concrete Example:

Foundational Goal: Frodo destroys the Ring.
Ultimate Goal (Consequence of Failure): Sauron conquers Middle-earth, plunging it into eternal darkness and subjugating all free peoples.
Thriller:
Foundational Goal: The detective apprehends the serial killer.
Ultimate Goal (Consequence of Failure): More innocent lives are lost, the city descends into panic, and the detective’s career and personal life are destroyed by the guilt.
Coming-of-Age:
Foundational Goal: A teenager earns a scholarship to their dream university.
Ultimate Goal (Consequence of Failure): The teenager is forced into a life they don’t want, their potential unfulfilled, leading to profound regret and unhappiness.

Actionable Steps:

Brainstorm Worst Case Scenarios: For every Foundational Goal, what is the absolute worst conceivable outcome if it fails?
Personalize the Stakes: How does this ultimate failure affect your protagonist personally? It’s not enough to say “the world ends”; how does the world ending impact their individual hopes, dreams, and relationships?
Reinforce throughout: Hint at, and occasionally show, glimpses of this potential ultimate failure throughout the narrative to maintain tension.

The Hidden Hand: The Author’s Goal

Beyond all the character and plot objectives, there’s the Author’s Goal. This is your overarching purpose in writing the novel. What message do you want to convey? What theme do you want to explore? What emotional experience do you want to evoke in the reader? While not a plot point, it subtly influences every decision you make about your characters’ goals and the story’s trajectory.

Why it matters: The Author’s Goal provides thematic coherence and resonant meaning. It elevates the story from mere entertainment to something thought-provoking and memorable.

Concrete Example:

Foundational Goal: A young woman seeks revenge for her family’s murder.
Author’s Goal: To explore the destructive nature of vengeance and the possibility of finding healing through forgiveness. (This goal will influence the choices the character makes, the consequences they face, and the ultimate resolution of the plot.)
Fantasy:
Foundational Goal: A band of heroes fights for freedom against tyranny.
Author’s Goal: To critique contemporary political power structures or to celebrate the enduring power of hope in the face of overwhelming odds.

Actionable Steps:

Reflect on your motivation: Why are you telling this story? What deeply held belief or question are you exploring?
Identify your core theme(s): Is it redemption, justice, love, loss, identity, freedom, sacrifice?
Don’t preach: The Author’s Goal should be woven into the fabric of the narrative, not explicitly stated. The story itself should illustrate the theme.

Weaving the Tapestry: Interconnecting Goals for Narrative Momentum

The true mastery of plotting lies not in merely identifying these goal types but in strategically interweaving them. Each type of goal builds upon and informs the others, creating a dynamic, compelling narrative flow.

Foundational Goal as the North Star: Every significant plot point, every twist, every character introduction should ultimately serve or complexify the Foundational Goal.
Short-Term Goals as Stepping Stones: Each scene’s goal should be a small hurdle or achievement that brings the protagonist closer to (or momentarily pushes them further from) their Foundational Goal. These mini-victories or setbacks drive momentum.
Long-Term Goals Driving Character Arc: The pursuit or failure of Foundational and Short-Term Goals should directly challenge or catalyze the protagonist’s journey toward their Long-Term Character Goals. Forcing a character to confront their internal demons while pursuing an external objective makes for profound development.
Opposing Goals as Fuel: The constant friction created by Opposing Goals and the ever-present threat of the Ultimate Goal (consequence of failure) keep the narrative taut and the reader on edge. The antagonist’s ambition should be a mirror or dark reflection of the protagonist’s.
The Author’s Goal as the Undercurrent: All character motivations, plot events, and resolutions should subtly reinforce the core theme, ensuring thematic resonance without being heavy-handed.

Example of Interconnection:

Consider a story about a brilliant, isolated scientist (protagonist).

Author’s Goal: To explore the ethical boundaries of scientific innovation and the importance of human connection over pure intellect.
Long-Term Character Goal: To overcome deep-seated insecurities about their intelligence and to finally form meaningful relationships, having always prioritized work over people.
Foundational Goal: To find a cure for a global pandemic ravaging humanity. (This seems noble, but the scientist’s method is unorthodox and ethically dubious).
Opposing Goal (Antagonist): A rival corporation wants to steal the cure for profit, or a government agency wants to shut down the scientist’s dangerous research.
Opposing Goal (Internal): The scientist’s own ego and belief in their sole genius make it difficult to collaborate or accept help, inadvertently sabotaging themselves.
Short-Term Scene Goals:
- Scene 1: Scientist’s goal is to acquire a rare, illegal component. (Progresses Foundational Goal, but highlights ethical issues.)
- Scene 2: Scientist’s goal is to evade government agents. (Conflict from Opposing Goal.)
- Scene 3: Scientist’s goal is to reluctantly ask a former colleague for help on a complex problem. (Relates to Long-Term Character Goal – forcing interpersonal interaction.)
Ultimate Goal (Consequence of Failure): Humanity perishes, or the cure works, but at a devastating ethical cost, turning the scientist into a monstrous figure, reinforcing their isolation and the dangers of unchecked ambition.

Notice how the external plot (finding the cure) forces the scientist to confront their internal flaws (isolation, ego), directly feeding into their Long-Term Character Goal. The ethical dilemmas woven into the Foundational Goal align with the Author’s Goal. Failure means not just a global catastrophe, but a personal one that confirms the thematic warning.

Plotting Methodologies and Tools

While the concepts are universal, how you approach the actual plotting varies.

Outlining: For those who prefer structure, a detailed outline (from high-level acts down to scene beats) allows you to map out all these goals before writing. Tools: Scrivener, Plottr, Excel (for simple tables).
Snowflake Method: Starting with a single sentence, expanding to a paragraph, then a page, etc., layering in goals as you zoom in. This helps ensure coherence from micro to macro.
Discovery Writing (Pantsing) with Intent: Even discovery writers benefit from defining the Foundational and Long-Term Character Goals. While the path might be organic, knowing the destination and the character’s core desires keeps the story from completely derailing. Regular check-ins to ask “What is my character trying to achieve here?” remain crucial.
Goal, Motivation, Conflict (GMC): For each character and scene, explicitly defining their Goal (what they want), Motivation (why they want it), and Conflict (what stands in their way) is a powerful micro-plotting tool.

Refinements and Pitfalls to Avoid

Don’t Let Goals Be Static: Goals should evolve. Characters learn, circumstances change, and new information emerges. A character’s initial goal might shift, be abandoned, or even be exposed as a false desire as their arc progresses.
Ensure Stakes Are Personal: While global stakes are compelling, they must always funnel down to how they personally affect your protagonist. Make the reader care about them.
Vary the Difficulty: Not every scene goal needs to be a mountain. Some can be small achievements that offer temporary relief or move the plot incrementally. This pacing keeps the reader from fatigue.
Avoid Contrived Goals: Goals should arise organically from the character’s personality, backstory, and the narrative’s premise. Don’t force a goal because you need it for the plot; the character must want it.
Show the Cost: Achieving goals should come at a price. What must your character sacrifice? What do they lose, even in victory? This adds realism and emotional weight.
Clichés vs. Nuance: While “save the princess” is a Foundational Goal, consider the nuances. Why this princess? Why this hero? What makes their specific quest unique?
The “Why” is Paramount: For every goal, consistently ask “Why?” Why does the character want this? Why is it important? Why now? The answers deepen motivation and reveal character.

Plotting your novel’s goals is not a restrictive cage; it’s a structural scaffolding that supports your creativity. It provides clarity, focus, and a roadmap through the wilderness of the blank page. By meticulously defining the Foundational, Long-Term, Short-Term, Opposing, and Ultimate Goals, and understanding your own Author’s Goal, you equip yourself to craft narratives that are not only compelling and coherent but also deeply resonant and immensely satisfying for your readers. The journey from idea to finished manuscript becomes not a daunting uphill battle, but a strategic, exhilarating ascent.