CHARACTER MOTIVATION THESAURUS

RECONCILING WITH AN ESTRANGED FAMILY MEMBER



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HELPFUL TIP:

To understand why your character is driven toward a certain goal, get to know their positive and negative traits, as well as any significant emotional wounds that might be motivating them. Then you can explore the various kinds of conflict that could block them as they move toward their goal.
FORMS THIS MIGHT TAKE:
Reconciling with an ex-spouse, a sibling, parent or grandparent, son or daughter, or extended family member (cousins, aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, etc.)

HUMAN NEED DRIVING THE GOAL (INNER MOTIVATION):
There are five basic human needs that, when missing from a character's life, could motivate them to pursue this goal. The following needs are all possibilities, but only one of them should be the primary driver for any given character. For more information on the relationship between human needs and outer motivations, please see​ this ​Character Motivation tutorial.

Self-Actualization: If a character had a falling out with someone tied to a key interest or someone with specific knowledge that the character needs to feel complete, regret may eventually push them to address this estrangement and find a way to reconcile. Once they do, they can move forward in this specific area of their life, seeking the wholeness that was missing.
Esteem and Recognition: Sometimes a reconciliation is a means to an end. If the character has a goal (e.g., being included in a family will) that requires winning over another person (say, a wealthy grandmother), and reconciliation will give the character the recognition or esteem they seek, this may be the reason for choosing to make things right. 
Love and Belonging: A character may seek reconciliation to gain access to a relationship denied them, such as a woman seeking to make amends with her daughter so she can once again have access to her grandchildren.
Safety and Security: In uncertain or dangerous times, a character may be driven to reconcile with family if it will afford them some safety and security.
Physiological Needs: Many a reconciliation happens when a person is given a terminal diagnosis or has a serious health scare. A character who requires a donor of some kind may quickly decide to reconcile out of hopes of finding a suitable match.

HOW THE CHARACTER MAY PREPARE FOR THIS GOAL:
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POSSIBLE SACRIFICES OR COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS GOAL:
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ROADBLOCKS WHICH COULD PREVENT THIS GOAL FROM BEING ACHIEVED:
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TALENTS & SKILLS THAT WILL HELP THE CHARACTER ACHIEVE THIS GOAL:
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WHAT'S AT STAKE IF THIS GOAL ISN'T MET?
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CLICHÉS TO AVOID:
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