Character Struggle Quotes

People in my novels always have terrible problems. If they are not terrible, I make them more terrible.

In 'The X-Men' world, one can be a hero one day and a villain the next, which means there's a constant battle for a character's soul that's dynamic. I find that really fascinating.

For me, drama is conflict.

There's something to play if there's conflict going on. Whatever that conflict is, that's where drama is; if the character is grappling with something you've got something to play, there's layers to it.

Invite characters of surprising and moral character, or at least those who grapple with what is right or those who make decisions that shock.

Good stories must travel through conflict. And in epic stories, the conflict must become unbearable.

I used to get stuck trying to find the first sentence of a story, then I realised that it was often because I didn't know what problem a character was facing in the story. As soon as I did, I could have the character trying to do something about it or have the problem whack him between the eyes.

Rule of storytelling: When a character is shoved against a wall, shove them against a wall harder.

I love characters that are going through turmoil. To be honest, I love characters with conflict. I love characters who are really going through an emotional journey; whether it's a super-dark-crazy journey or a really relatable guy.

Usually the characters are where I start. Then I continually ask myself, 'What's the worst thing that could happen to this character?'

Characters who don't suffer have no interest to me.

I care about Roger Sterling, one of the most subtle and amazing characters in dramatic history ["Mad Men"]. This guys who knows precisely who he is, yet leaves us time after time hoping desperately for him to finally grab control of his life and some responsibility for those around him.

'Something Borrowed' is looking like a romantic comedy, but it's a comedy. It shines as a comedy; it's definitely not just about the romance. It's an honest depiction of the struggle between the characters. The comedy aspect will make it shine.

My films do have characters who have trouble escaping the world around them.

I tend toward characters who are more lost than found.

The more complex and overwhelming the threat to a protagonist, the better the opportunity for the author to create a compelling conflict and a dramatic resolution.

Good TV is not about people being happy; it's drama.

Many of my characters struggle with loneliness, that is fair to say.

I enjoy playing characters who are struggling, particularly with themselves.

The thing I like about the sci-fi genre is that you get to examine universal themes and polarizing moral choices. The characters have a lot on their shoulders and are often trying to survive in some very difficult and hostile environments.

What makes us love a character is a character that tries.

A story isn't interesting unless a character has real challenges to deal with.

I love the idea of a very simple 8-bit video game character struggling with the complex question: 'isn't there more to life than the role I've been assigned?'

I guess there's a vulnerability in seeing a female character trying to get out of something really drastic.

The whole magic of a plot requires that somebody be impeded from getting something over with.