Why Did You Do That? Discovering Your Character’s Motivation

Part of the series “How to write a book from start to finish”

By J.E. Nickerson | Wise Thinkers Help Desk

Have you ever read a book or watched a movie where the characters’ choices didn’t make sense? It leaves you feeling disconnected—like something vital is missing.

That “something” is motivation.

Understanding your character’s motivation is one of the most important parts of writing compelling fiction. When readers can’t understand why a character behaves the way they do, the emotional impact of the story weakens. The plot may still move forward, but the audience won’t fully engage unless the character’s inner world feels real and relatable.

What Drives Your Character?

In the movie The Numbers Station, John Cusack plays Emerson, a battle-weary CIA hitman. In a pivotal scene, a young woman asks him why he killed a man. Moments later, she’s killed by Emerson’s partner. That single question—Why did you do that?—becomes a haunting theme throughout the movie.

The woman wasn’t just questioning Emerson’s actions—she was questioning the motivationbehind them. As authors, we must ask the same thing of our characters. If we don’t know whyour characters behave the way they do, our readers won’t know either.

Character Motivation and Story Depth

Not only must we discover our “why” as authors—what drives us to write—we must also understand what motivates the characters we create. This is key to crafting believable characters and immersive stories.

Sometimes, uncovering a character’s motivation takes the entire book—or even an entire series. A great example of this is the Jason Bourne movies. Bourne isn’t just a trained killer. He’s on a journey to discover who he is and why he’s been programmed to act a certain way. His internal struggle and evolving awareness make him deeply relatable and human, even in the middle of high-stakes action.

Both The Numbers Station and the Bourne series deal with questions of identity, memory, and morality. These deeper themes are what give their stories lasting emotional resonance.

Using Mystery to Deepen Character Arcs

One of the best tools we have as storytellers is the ability to reveal a character’s motivations over time. If you’re writing a series, you don’t have to explain everything at once. Let your characters’ choices unfold like breadcrumbs—each one leading readers closer to the heart of who they are.

This not only builds tension and intrigue, but also fosters a connection between your audience and your characters. Readers begin to trust you as a writer, and more importantly, they begin to care about the people in your story world.

Writing From Experience: Eddie and Freddy

In my own Eddie and Freddy’s Adventures series, I revealed the characters’ motivations gradually. Across 23 books and counting, readers get to know Eddie and his friends on a deeper and more personal level. As I spent more time with the characters, they evolved from fictional creations into companions—each with unique fears, hopes, and reasons for doing what they do.

If you’ve ever written a character who started to feel like family, you know exactly what I mean. That level of depth doesn’t come instantly—it comes from spending time in the story, listening to your characters, and learning their why.

Why Character Motivation Matters

So let’s go back to that question: Why did you do that?

Every character needs a reason. Whether they’re seeking revenge, longing for love, running from the past, or searching for purpose—we need to know what’s driving them. That understanding helps us create characters that feel alive, layered, and unforgettable.

When your characters are fully formed, everything else falls into place—plot, dialogue, emotional beats. The story breathes. And your readers? They come back for more, not just because of the twists and turns, but because your characters made them feel seen.

Final Word to the Writer

Character development takes time. It’s not about perfection—it’s about patience, curiosity, and honesty. Keep writing. Keep asking the deeper questions. Keep honoring the voice and the vision God gave you.

Your story matters.

Creating characters doesn’t just happen over night. Asking the hard questions of why your characters behave the way they do, is part of creating character profiles. If you’re struggling to create easy to understand character profiles, there’s a resource for you! Enjoy the article How To Create a Character Profile That Actually Helps You Write and download the free resource at the end of the article. Let’s create characters who feel real to us and our audience. 

Resources

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Ready to take your writing to the next level? Learn about the techniques and practices that create compelling writing. Visit We Are Wise Thinkers Help Desk  for inspirational resources to unlock your inner creative writer. 

Want to see how I build out long-term character arcs in practice? You can check out my Eddie and Freddy series here.

📚 And if you’re new here, I’m J.E. Nickerson — faith based author and inspirational storyteller. You can check out my books here or follow me on YouTube for more inspiration and encouragement on this writing life.

Understanding a character’s motivation is key to creating believable and compelling stories. Every action your character takes should have a clear “why” behind it — even when their choices surprise the reader. This worksheet helps you explore your character’s desires, conflicts, and moral compass, giving you a practical tool to uncover the driving forces behind their behavior.

🧭 Character Motivation Worksheet: Uncovering the “Why” Behind Your Character’s Actions

Objective:

Delve into your character’s psyche to understand their motivations, ensuring their actions resonate authentically within your story.

1. Core Desire

• What does your character want most?
  (e.g., acceptance, revenge, freedom, love)
• Why is this desire so important to them?
  (e.g., past trauma, unmet needs, personal values)

2. Internal Conflict

• What internal struggles or doubts does your character face?
  (e.g., guilt, fear, self-worth issues)
• How do these conflicts influence their decisions?
  (e.g., hesitation, impulsiveness, avoidance)

3. External Obstacles

• What external forces or characters hinder your character’s goals?
  (e.g., antagonists, societal norms, physical barriers)
• How does your character respond to these challenges?
  (e.g., confrontation, manipulation, retreat)

4. Moral Compass

• What ethical boundaries is your character willing to cross?
  (e.g., lying, stealing, betrayal)
• What lines will they not cross?
  (e.g., harming innocents, breaking promises, compromising integrity)

5. Evolution of Motivation

• How might your character’s motivations evolve throughout the story?
  (e.g., from revenge to redemption, from selfishness to selflessness)
• What events or relationships catalyze this change?
  (e.g., loss, mentorship, betrayal)

Reflection:

Use this worksheet to explore and clarify your character’s motivations. Revisit it regularly as your story develops to maintain consistency, deepen character arcs, and create believable, engaging narratives.