Novel Kicks Writing Room: 10 Week Character Challenge – What Do They Want?

Published October 14, 2026 | By Laura

Welcome back to the Novel Kicks Writing Room.

It’s week two of our character challenge.

Over the next ten weeks, we’ll take a character from a simple idea and gradually develop them into someone with a personality, history, relationships, flaws, fears and a meaningful character arc.

You don’t need to be writing a novel to take part. Your character can be created specifically for these exercises, or you can use a character from a story you’re already working on.

WEEK 2 — What Do They Want?

Every interesting character wants something. But sometimes what they think they want isn’t what they actually need.

First, complete these sentences:

My character wants…

They believe getting it will make them…

What they actually need is…

They don’t realise this because…

Now, let’s turn to a writing task.

Write 500 words using the following criteria –

Put your character in a situation where they have the opportunity to get exactly what they want.

Then make them realise it may not be what they expected.

What does your character really need?

Click here to check out week one of the character challenge.

If you’d like to take a look at the plot challenge we did earlier in the year, click here.

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Laura

I'm Laura. I started Novel Kicks back in 2009 as I wanted a place to discuss books and writing - two loves of my life. As someone who has anxiety, these two things give me, and I am sure countless others, a much needed escape.
There is a monthly book club, writing exercises, prompts, reviews, author interviews, competitions and guest posts. I cover many genres and I hope there is something for everyone.
I grew up by the sea in Dorset and currently live in Poole with my husband, Chris and three cats. I love writing and have a BA (Hons) in Creative Writing from Falmouth University. I am writing my first book. If only I could stop pressing delete. Chris has threatened to stop it from working. Haha.
I have always loved creative writing since I was in first school and would very much like to meet my teacher, Miss Sayers, to say thank you for all the encouragement she gave me then.
When not writing, I love reading, cats, Disney, singing (I can't sing but this doesn't stop me,) and falling into a good TV show or film. If I could step into any fictional world, it would be amongst the characters in ABC's Once Upon a Time.
I love reading many genres and discovering new authors.

Novel Kicks Writing Room: 10 Week Character Challenge – What Do They Want?

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