GMC Quotes

“There are no new plots, but there are plenty of fresh new characters with whom you can grab the reader. Characterization is the key to successful commercial fiction. Characterization starts with goal, motivation, and conflict. Character”
― Debra Dixon, GMC: Goal, Motivation and Conflict

“Just as the word “because” triggers a clause of motivation, the word “but” triggers a clause of conflict.”
― Debra Dixon, GMC: Goal, Motivation and Conflict

“We don't like writing. We like having written.”
― Debra Dixon, GMC: Goal, Motivation and Conflict: The Building Blocks of Good Fiction

“Coincidence cannot replace motivation. [...] A string of coincidences culminating in character stupidity do not make a believable story.”
― Debra Dixon, GMC: Goal, Motivation and Conflict: The Building Blocks of Good Fiction

“The strength of your book is your conflict. For many writers that sentence should read, “The strength of your book is your villain.” How”
― Debra Dixon, GMC: Goal, Motivation and Conflict

“Cowards and courage make for great conflict. Embodied within the statement above is the idea that imperfect heroes are the most satisfying because true courage is facing what you fear, trying even though the odds of failure are great. Internal”
― Debra Dixon, GMC: Goal, Motivation and Conflict

“if the thought of conflict and trouble makes you chortle gleefully and race to your computer, you are definitely in the right place. If you love conflict, chances are your characters will be flawed and in trouble. That’s a good thing. Here’s why: People with perfect lives are boring, and . . . well . . . frankly, they’re irritating. How”
― Debra Dixon, GMC: Goal, Motivation and Conflict

“External motivation is usually the most important to establish early in the book. Internal motivation can take a bit longer to develop and be woven into the fabric of the story one thread at a time. Coincidence:”
― Debra Dixon, GMC: Goal, Motivation and Conflict

“Even light comedy should be well motivated. It’s foolish to assume that a shorter book needs any less attention in the GMC department. In fact, a shorter book needs stronger GMC. By that I mean clear, understandable GMC. Short books can’t waste time rambling. You’ve got to set up your characters and get out of the way. A”
― Debra Dixon, GMC: Goal, Motivation and Conflict

“A goal is a desired result, a purpose or an objective. A goal is the prize or reward that your character wants to obtain or achieve. Everybody likes a winner, and readers are no exception to that rule.”
― Debra Dixon, GMC: Goal, Motivation and Conflict

“Writers write. Period. No matter how hard it is. One word after another. Sometimes the sentences spill quickly from our fingertips, and other times we bang our heads against the wall wondering why we do this to ourselves.”
― Debra Dixon, GMC: Goal, Motivation and Conflict

“We don’t like writing. We like having written.”
― Debra Dixon, GMC: Goal, Motivation and Conflict