Goal, Motivation, and Conflict

Recently, I re-read the book entitled, Goal, Motivation, and Conflict by Debra Dixon. My writing friend, Kay had given the book to me and I remember reading it years ago, thinking I had already blogged about it. However, a quick search through this blog's archive had me surprised that this book has never been reviewed on here. I find this amazing since this book has helped a lot of beginning novelists out there in writing land. 

Pros:

To begin this review, I first have to say that it is an easy read. I've read some pretty tough reads in the past that made me feel like I was swimming through a murky swamp. Not this one. Ms. Dixon writes in a fashion that is engaging and simple to understand.

Goal, Motivation, & Conflict is filled with interesting information in which all writers should take time to learn. She covers in the first few chapters the reasoning behind a good book and what it takes to engage the reader. The book covers the who, what, why, and why not by using references to movies. It then becomes clear how these parts are invaluable to a story. Another wonderful aspect of this book, is how the author teaches the novelist to write a tagline. Taglines can be so difficult for the author who is so close to the story. With this teaching on taglines, the task seems less daunting. The book also covers scenes and how to write the perfect query letter.

I really love this book. I am so glad I decided to re-read it. After reading books by Swain, I feel Goal, Motivation, & Conflict covers a lot of his teaching in an easy to read vernacular. Because let's face it...Swain is no easy read.

Cons:

Let me use the technique of G, M, & C to describe the cons of this book. Goal - the reader wants to read this book. Motivation - the reader wants to become a better writer. Conflict -  I believe I last saw it on Amazon.com for $134. Buying this book used is probably the best and only option to obtain this book. However, the publisher might be able to provide some help, "Our books are either new, used, ex-library, or out-of-print. The condition of the book is described at the end of each description." ~http://www.gryphonbooksforwriters.com/

Here is what the publisher said about this book:

http://www.gryphonbooksforwriters.com/home/gmc.htm

Goal, motivation, and conflict are the foundation of everything that happens in the story world.  Using charts, examples, and movies, the author breaks these key elements down into understandable components and walks the reader through the process of laying this foundation in his or her own work. 

Learn what causes sagging middles and how to fix them, which goals are important and which aren’t and why, how to get your characters to do what they need for your plot in a believable manner, and how to use conflict to create a good story. GMC can be used not only in plotting, but in character development, sharpening scenes, pitching ideas to an editor, and evaluating whether an idea will work.

	Be confident your idea will work before you write 200 pages
	Plan a road map to keep your story on track
	Discover why your scenes aren’t working and what to do about it
	Create characters that editors and readers will care about
	Write a dynamite query letter to an editor Table of Contents Introduction If Writing Were Easy, Everyone Would Be Writing Chapter One Who, What, Why, and Why Not Chapter Two Goal:  What Your Character Wants Chapter Three Motivation:  “The Why” Chapter Four Conflict:  Caution!  Roadblock Ahead! Chapter Five Conflict Mascots Chapter Six A Closer Look at the GMC Chart Chapter Seven Big Black Moments Need GMC Chapter Eight Go Ahead, Make a Scene Chapter Nine GMC Brainstorming Chapter Ten Twenty-Five Words or Less Chapter Eleven This and That Appendix A Recommended Reading and Reference Appendix B GMC Charts