Columns: Tag – Motivations
-
Characters on the Couch
Is my character a psychopath or a sociopath?
Dear Gabriel
I’m writing a crime novel (with a strong love theme.) I’m a little confused between the terms psychopath and sociopath. Could you give me the quick version please?
Samantha
Characters on the Couch
Breaking relationship patterns for a character
Dear Gabriel
What makes some people choose exactly the same kind of disastrous person over and over again? I’ve got a character who I want to break out of a pattern like this. But I think I should understand what would make her do this, before I can understand how to get her out of it. For example, she chooses men who are controlling, shout at her and tell her she’s stupid.
Andrea
Characters on the Couch
Do people just fall out of love?
I read a book where a man woke up and told his wife he did not love her anymore. Is this believable in a character?
Characters on the Couch
Parents as role models for relationships?
When we fall in love do we usually choose someone just like our parents or is it more complicated than that?
Characters on the Couch
Getting over abuse
Can my character get over abuse and lead a useful life?
Characters on the Couch
“Truths” about suicide
How do I write respectfully about suicide?
Characters on the Couch
Making it work
Can one person’s determination save a relationship?
Characters on the Couch
Juliette and her Romeos
How is it possible that a woman can appear to have good self esteem and yet be messed around by men?
Characters on the Couch
(Trans)gressions
Ok don’t laugh but I am writing a story in which my lead character has issues about his/her gender
Characters on the Couch
The more we change the more we stay the same
My character seems sad and lonely in her middle age, I wonder if this will put readers off?
Characters on the Couch
Dream work
My character likes interpreting dreams - is this possible?
Characters on the Couch
It’s on/it’s off
Why would a character start relationships so intensely then end them so dismissively six months later?
Characters on the Couch
Struggle heroes?
How do I understand why my character gets involved in politics?
Characters on the Couch
A killer opera
Could a passionate understudy be driven to murder to get the plum role?
Characters on the Couch
Border crossing
Gay love across the colour line - is this just too complicated to depict?
Characters on the Couch
In sickness and in health
Is celibacy normal?
Characters on the Couch
Holding on
Would a mother lie about being terminally ill?
Characters on the Couch
Lost on survivor island
Do people revert to type under pressure or do they change and evolve into someone/something else?
Characters on the Couch
To each his own
Why would someone in the world of theatre keep an HIV diagnosis a secret?
Characters on the Couch
Stormy weather
I’m interested in writing a novel which is aimed at teenagers and which tries to express some of the turmoil of the teenage years.