Character-Driven Story Is Driven From Self-Concept

Self-concept is one of the strongest powers on earth. That's because so many people have self-concepts which put them at odds with the world around them. Self-concept drives the actions a person takes. Because it is so real, it is the essence of what we search for in our stories.

Self-Concept Drives Real People

People act from the foundation of their self-concept. They follow actions that are based in the belief of who they are. Your characters -- if they are to be real -- must do the same.

American Idol: (Failed) Self-Concept On Display

Consider those terrible, awful, singers, auditioning for a spot on American Idol, who sound worse than a cat with its tail caught in a door. One of the judges, like Keith Urban might ask, "Well, how do you think you did?"

"I think I killed it," the contestant answers.

The horrified judges stare. Blink. Blink. The cat with its tail caught in the door has evidently grabbed their tongues. They cannot speak. Why would this obviously terrible singer believe he is good?

One reason: self-concept.

Maybe the singer is joking? Sometimes you see the judges laugh because they cannot believe the singer is serious.

"You don't really believe you are good do you?"

The smile slides off the contestant's face. "Uh, yeah. I love to sing. I don't know how to do anything else." Self-concept is about to take a beating.

It is at this point, the contestant either cries (full on blubbering) -- realizing that maybe the self-concept is incorrect. Or, the more fascinating and often occurring response is that the contestant becomes angry.

Self-concept erupts. "Who are you to say? Some people like this kind of thing. My mother loves to hear me sing."

"Are you sure? Is she usually in the same room when you are singing? Maybe she's out at the grocery store or something."

More anger.

Then, J Lo tries to ease the contestant down, "Baby, it's a no." The soft sell. Get the crazy guy out of here and make sure he gets his meds before he kills us all. Now that his self-concept is bruised and battered, anything could happen.

Example of how it might work in a story:

Push Character Up Against His/Her Self-Concept

What we need is Herman, an inveterate philatelist who is mid-thirties
but still lives at home with his mother. He loves stamps. He knows the
historical story behind each stamp he owns. He stares at them for
hours memorizing small details of each. You learn that his stamp
collection is worth a huge sum of money, but that doesn't matter to
Herman. He loves stamps.

Meanwhile he pines away for the girl next door who is gloriously
beautiful. (I'm having to tell here instead of showing you guy's
tongues fall out of their mouths as she walks by, because telling is
faster for this summary, but believe me, she's a knockout with curves
in all the right places.)

Herman has a discussion with her as she's arriving home late one
evening and trying to get rid of the guy who took her out.

"Why do
you go out with him if you don't like him," Herman asks.

In a moment
of honesty she explains that the gentleman has a huge net worth --
"that's right, Herman, he's rich and I like being pampered. I suppose
you think I'm terrible" she says and brushes his face with a hand.

"I
could never think you're terrible, Ophelia."

Ophelia gets into her house leaving Herman to contemplate. Instant
realization of what he must do lands inside Herman's mind like a
boulder smashing through a wall: I must sell my stamps.

They're worth millions. Ophelia would marry me.

Self-Concept: Stamp-lover

But, he loves stamps. Now the faltering of the self-concept. He has to alter his self-concept. Sell the stamps, get the girl. But the stamps are the essence of who Herman is and his entire meaning in life.

You Can See How This Will Turn Out

Of course, you know how this is going to play out? Herman is going to sell the stamps, spend his money on wild living with the painted lady and then lose her too. Then, where will his self-concept be? Completely trashed. No stamps. No beautiful girl.

That's The Power of Self-Concept Playing Out In A Story

If you get the self-concept correct with your character it will drive your story and your story will be completely believable.

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