Writing Stories: When Characters "Get Under Your Skin and Beg to Be Born"

Every writer knows the feeling. You’re sitting quietly, maybe doing something completely unrelated to writing, when suddenly a voice whispers in your ear, or an image flashes in your mind. It’s the spark of a character, demanding attention, tugging at your thoughts, and slowly taking over your imagination. These moments are rare, but they are the heartbeat of storytelling. Characters are not just created; they come alive, and sometimes, they get under your skin, begging to be born.

But what happens when you know your character's name and the time period they live in, yet you find yourself struggling with what to do next? Building the plot, crafting twists, and keeping the momentum going can be incredibly difficult. If you’ve been here, you’re not alone. Here’s how you can navigate the tricky parts of storytelling and let your characters breathe life into your narrative.

1. Define the Character’s Goal or Desire

Even if your plot isn’t fully fleshed out, the character’s goal is the driving force that can shape the rest of your story. Ask yourself: What does your character want? This desire could be physical, emotional, or even abstract—such as seeking justice, love, or freedom. With this goal in mind, your plot will naturally start to take form as you explore how the character pursues this desire and what obstacles stand in their way.

Tip: The character’s goal doesn’t have to be fully clear at the beginning. Sometimes it’s an evolving process. Let the character’s experiences shape and refine their desire as the story unfolds.

2. Identify the Obstacles

Conflict is what drives any story forward. If your character isn’t facing obstacles, then the story can feel flat. Think about internal and external conflicts. Internal conflicts could involve your character's self-doubt, fears, or moral dilemmas. External conflicts might include other characters, societal pressures, or physical challenges.

Tip: List out possible challenges and then think about how your character reacts to each. Conflict doesn’t have to be epic to be meaningful. Sometimes, a subtle, emotional struggle can have a profound impact on your story’s development.

3. The Twist Emerges from the Conflict

A compelling plot often involves a twist—something unexpected that forces the character to reevaluate their situation. But instead of forcing a twist into the story, let it emerge naturally from the conflict you’ve created. Consider how your character might face an unexpected challenge or make a startling discovery that changes their direction.

Tip: One way to introduce a twist is to ask, "What’s the worst possible thing that could happen to my character at this moment?" Or flip the script: "What if their assumptions were entirely wrong?"

4. Map Out Key Plot Points

If you feel lost in the story, it can help to break it into manageable chunks. Consider mapping out the key beats of your plot, even in a rough form:

• Inciting Incident: What sparks your character into action?
• Rising Action: How do conflicts escalate and complicate things?
• Climax: What is the highest point of tension or conflict?
• Resolution: How does the story resolve, and what has your character learned or achieved?

Tip: These key beats don’t have to be set in stone. Think of them as markers to help guide your story’s flow. You can always refine them as your character and plot evolve.

5. Stop Thinking Linearly

If you’re stuck trying to figure out what happens next, it may help to write out of sequence. You don’t have to write your story in the order it happens. Focus on the scene or dialogue that is most clear in your mind. Sometimes writing a climactic scene, or even the ending, can spark new ideas for how the story should progress.

Tip: Go back and forth between scenes as you develop them. Once you’ve written key moments, you’ll have a better sense of how to connect them.

6. Use Dialogue and Action

Stuck in description or exposition? Try writing a conversation or an action-packed scene instead. Dialogue and action can often reveal a character’s motivations or push the story forward in ways that narrative exposition can’t. Let your characters interact, argue, or face challenges head-on.

Tip: Instead of describing what a character feels, show it through what they say or do. For example, instead of writing, “He was nervous,” try writing, “His hands fidgeted with the pen, tapping it against the desk until it slipped and rolled to the floor.”

7. Take a Break from Structure

While structure is important, sometimes focusing too much on it can feel restrictive. If you find yourself getting bogged down by where the story should go, set aside plot structures (like the three-act structure) temporarily. Write freely and follow your character's voice. Once you have a rough draft, you can go back and impose a more structured framework on the story.

Tip: Allow the story to evolve naturally. Don’t be afraid to deviate from standard structures if it helps the flow of your narrative.

8. Trust the Character’s Journey

Often, writers get stuck because they’re focused too much on plot and not enough on the character’s internal journey. Your character’s emotional growth or change is what gives the plot meaning. Ask yourself: How does the character change over the course of the story? What do they learn, and how do they evolve?

Tip: Make sure the external events in the plot reflect your character’s internal growth. The twist, conflict, and resolution should all help shape your character’s emotional journey.

9. Don’t Force the Twist

Many writers feel like they need a dramatic plot twist to make their story interesting, but not every story needs a huge surprise. Sometimes, smaller emotional revelations can be just as powerful as a big, dramatic event. If you’re struggling with the twist, consider whether your story needs one at all, or whether the tension and conflict you’ve built are strong enough to sustain the narrative.

Tip: If a twist is necessary, try building it from the character’s core beliefs. What if something they always believed to be true is turned upside down? A twist can come from an internal shift rather than an external event.

What If These Do Not Work?

Even with all the strategies outlined, sometimes the writing process still feels stuck. This can happen for a variety of reasons—mental blocks, fatigue, or simply needing a fresh approach. If you’ve tried everything and the story still isn’t coming together, here are some additional steps you can take:

1. Step Away and Take a Break

Sometimes, the problem isn’t in the story itself but in your mental state. Burnout or creative fatigue can cloud your thinking, making it hard to see the way forward. Taking a break can provide new perspectives and allow fresh ideas to emerge. Go for a walk, read a book, or work on another creative project before coming back to the story with a fresh mindset.

2. Explore a Different Medium

Try visualizing your story through a different form, like sketching scenes or characters, creating a storyboard, or acting out dialogue. This can help unlock new insights that writing alone may not reveal.

3. Change the Writing Environment

Your physical space might be limiting your creativity. Moving to a different location, such as a park or café, can provide fresh inspiration. A new environment can make you see the story differently.

4. Write a Scene from a Different Character’s Perspective

If the story feels stagnant, write a scene from another character's point of view. This can reveal new dynamics or conflicts that weren’t clear before, giving you fresh ideas to move the plot forward.

5. Allow Yourself to Write Badly

Perfectionism can be paralyzing. Let yourself write a rough, messy draft. Sometimes the simple act of getting words on the page can break the creative block, and you can always revise later.

6. Seek Collaborative Help

Working with another writer or seeking feedback from a trusted reader can open up new ideas. Sometimes a fresh set of eyes can pinpoint what’s missing or suggest new directions.

7. Revisit the Inspiration

Go back to what initially sparked your story. Reconnecting with the core idea that excited you can reignite your passion and help clarify the story’s direction.

8. Seek Professional Feedback

If you're still stuck, consider seeking feedback from a writing coach or editor who can provide an outside perspective. They can help identify gaps in the plot or areas for character development that you might have missed.

Real-Life Examples of Writers Facing Similar Challenges

Even the most accomplished authors experience challenges when it comes to plotting and character development. For example, J.K. Rowling mentioned how her characters often guided her writing, but even she faced difficulties in developing the plot structure for the later Harry Potter books. She found that letting the characters “lead” the plot helped her break through blocks.

Similarly, George R.R. Martin, author of A Song of Ice and Fire, has openly discussed his challenges with plot complexity. He often writes out of sequence, letting his characters drive the plot while maintaining a loose framework. This non-linear approach helped him manage the sprawling narratives and unpredictable twists that fans love.

Keep Moving Forward

Writing is an evolving process, and there’s no single formula for success. Even if one approach doesn’t work, it doesn’t mean the story is lost—it just needs a new path. By stepping back, seeking outside help, and allowing yourself the space tofinish developing in ways you may not have anticipated. Trust that the story will eventually reveal itself, and by embracing flexibility and persistence, the characters that got under your skin will find their way into a compelling narrative that you can feel proud of.

By adding real-life examples from writers like J.K. Rowling and George R.R. Martin, you provide additional inspiration and show that even renowned authors face similar struggles. With these practical tips, backed by lived experiences from other authors, your article now offers even greater insight and credibility.