What do you want more than anything else in the world?…
““What do you want more than anything else in the world? What do you love, or what do you hate? Find a character, like yourself, who will want something or not want something, with all his heart. Give him running orders. Shoot him off. Then follow as fast as you can go. The Character, in his great love, or hate, will rush you through to the end of the story. The zest and gusto of his need, and there is zest in hate as well as in love, will fire the landscape and raise the temperature of your typewriter thirty degrees.””
About This Quote
This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation.
A writer should create a character driven by strong love or hate, using that passion to propel the story forward and energize the prose.
In simple terms: Use powerful emotions to drive plot.
Key Takeaway
Let a character’s intense desire or aversion guide the narrative.
Themes
character
emotion
storytelling
motivation
Mood
energetic
inspired
Type
creative
instructional
When to use this quote
- novel writing
- screenwriting
- creative workshops
- personal journaling
Key Concepts
psychology
conflict
character arc
Questions to Reflect On
- How can you balance strong emotion with nuance?
- What other motivations can complement love or hate?
A Different Perspective
Relying solely on extreme emotions can lead to one‑dimensional characters.