S2 E5 just because they can doesn’t mean they should

Good morning! Today we’re diving into a theme every writer faces: Just because the character can, doesn’t mean they should. It’s a simple phrase, but when done well, it gives your story depth, tension, and emotional resonance. By the end of this episode, you’ll know exactly how to put this technique into practice.

Let’s start by talking about the gap between ability and ethics. As writers, we love giving characters power, strength, intelligence, skill, and access to knowledge—the kind of abilities that can change the course of a story.

But here’s the catch: power alone doesn’t make a story compelling. What makes it compelling is the tension between what a character can do and what they should do. Think about your character’s moral code. Even if they’re not perfect, they should have lines they hesitate to cross. That hesitation, that tiny pause before action, is where drama, suspense, and emotional connection live.

Here’s the key insight: morality isn’t always hardwired. It’s learned, tested, and developed under pressure. Imagine your character is faced with a life-or-death choice. They have the ability to act violently, betray, or take advantage—but they hesitate. That pause, that internal struggle, is where your story truly lives.

It’s not the act itself that matters most. It’s the conscious decision-making behind it, the wrestling with consequences. That’s the tension your readers crave.

Another important technique is showing how a character’s environment shapes their morality. A character raised in chaos, competition, or high-stakes situations sees the world differently than someone raised in comfort and safety. Your characters’ sense of right and wrong is colored by their experiences.

Here’s the twist: even in difficult circumstances, your character can choose morality. That choice becomes a powerful storytelling tool. It highlights resilience, conscience, and the human capacity for ethical reasoning.

Characters who struggle with morality under pressure are relatable. They ask your readers to think: What would I do in that situation? How far is too far? When does survival outweigh ethics?

This technique isn’t just about conflict. It’s about creating characters who feel real. Real humans wrestle with right and wrong. They make mistakes and grow from them. Your characters should do the same.

So how do you implement this in your writing? Here are five techniques that really work:
1. Give your character power, but pair it with choice. Make them question it before they act.
2. Raise the stakes ethically. Their decisions should matter, not just plot-wise, but morally.
3. Show hesitation. Even a brief pause, a trembling hand, or a flicker of doubt adds depth.
4. Reflect environment and trauma. Show how past experiences shape their ethical decisions.
5. Let morality evolve. Characters shouldn’t be perfect. No one is. Their moral code should grow, change, or be tested over time.

When you focus on these choices, your story becomes more than just plot and action. It becomes about the human experience—messy, conflicted, but meaningful. Your readers won’t just follow the plot. They’ll think, reflect, and remember. That’s the power of morally conscious storytelling.

The next time you give a character power, ask yourself: does my character wrestle with what they should do? That tension—the space between “can” and “should”—is where the real story begins.

Writing isn’t just about entertaining. It’s about making readers pause, think, and feel.

If you want to dig even deeper, you can download Questions to Ask Your Characters About Power, Morality, and Choice on the website, http://www.wearewisethinkers.com. You’ll find it in the Help Desk Resources, Guides, and Downloads section. Start building stories that challenge, inspire, and stay with readers long after the last page.

Until next time, keep writing from the heart.