When writing a novel, one of the most basic pieces of advice is this: Know what your protagonist wants. Give him/her something specific to strive for – a deep desire, an all-encompassing goal – and then make him do everything in his power to go and get it. Otherwise, the reader won’t care enough to keep turning the pages. And if that happens? Your beloved book will end up in the bargain bin at your local Wal-Mart. Or worse, sitting next to a copy of Writing for Dummies at your next-door neighbor’s garage sale. Ouch. [Read more…]