Why Your Story Feels Like It's Running on Empty

You're 30,000 words into your novel. Last week, you couldn't wait to sit down and write. This week? Opening that document feels like a chore. Your characters are doing things, sure, but you're not entirely sure why anymore, and frankly, you're starting not to care.

Sound familiar?

Here's the thing: losing steam midway through a story isn't a sign that you're a bad writer or that your idea wasn't good enough. More often than not, it means your characters have become passengers in your plot rather than drivers of it. And when characters feel aimless to you, they'll definitely feel aimless to your readers.

The solution? Get crystal clear on your character's Want, Need, and Lie.

This three-part framework isn't just character development theory—it's rocket fuel for writers who've hit the motivational wall. Let me show you why it works and how to use it.

The Framework That Changes Everything

The Want/Need/Lie structure creates a natural engine of conflict within your character that practically writes scenes for you. Here's what each element means:

The Want is what your character thinks will make them happy or whole. It's external, conscious, and drives the plot forward. Your detective wants to solve the case. Your romantic lead wants to win over their crush. Your fantasy hero wants to defeat the dark lord.

The Need is what your character actually requires to grow and find fulfillment. It's internal, often unconscious (at least at the start), and drives the character arc. The detective needs to learn to trust others. The romantic lead needs to believe they're worthy of love. The hero needs to accept that strength isn't the same as invulnerability.

The Lie is the false belief your character holds that prevents them from recognizing their Need. The detective believes vulnerability equals weakness. The romantic lead believes they must be perfect to be loved. The hero believes asking for help is admitting failure.

When these three elements are in tension with each other, your character becomes a coiled spring of potential story energy.

Why This Framework Reignites Your Writing Fire

Let's talk about why defining these three things can pull you out of a motivational slump.

It gives every scene a double purpose. When you know your character's Want, Need, and Lie, you're never just moving plot pieces around. Every scene becomes an opportunity to either push your character toward their Want OR challenge their Lie OR hint at their Need (or all three). Suddenly, that dinner party scene isn't filler—it's a chance for your character's Lie to be challenged by someone who sees through their facade.

It creates automatic conflict. The beauty of this structure is that the Want and the Need are often at odds. Your character pursuing what they Want might actually take them further from what they Need. This internal tension means that even scenes without external conflict have built-in drama. You're never stuck wondering "what should happen next?"

It makes your character feel real. We've all pursued things we thought we wanted only to discover they didn't fulfill us. We've all held limiting beliefs that held us back. When your character has this same complexity, they stop being chess pieces and start being people. And it's a lot easier to stay motivated writing about people than about game pieces.

How to Apply This to Your Current Manuscript

If you're reading this mid-slump, here's your rescue plan:

Step 1: Identify the Big Three

Grab a notebook (or open a new document—I won't judge). For your protagonist, write down:

- What do they Want? What goal is driving them through the plot?
- What do they Need? What lesson must they learn? What fear must they overcome?
- What Lie do they Believe? What false belief is holding them back?

Can't answer these clearly? That might be exactly why you're stuck. Take your time here. Rewatch your favorite movies or reread books you love and identify these elements in those characters. Practice on them first if you need to.

Step 2: Map Your Turning Points

Now look at your story structure. At roughly the 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% marks, your character's relationship with their Want, Need, and Lie should evolve:

- 25%: They're committed to pursuing their Want, and their Lie is firmly in place
- 50%: Their Want gets complicated, and their Lie is challenged for the first time
- 75%: They must choose between their Want and their Need (usually they choose wrong)
- 100%: They finally embrace their Need and reject their Lie (and often get their Want in a transformed way, or realize they don't need it anymore)

Step 3: Audit Your Existing Scenes

Go through what you've already written. For each scene, ask: "How does this scene relate to my character's Want, Need, or Lie?" If the answer is "it doesn't," you've found dead weight. Either cut it, or revise it so it does connect to one of these elements.

Step 4: Plan Forward with Purpose

For scenes you haven't written yet, ask: "What's my character's Want in this scene? How does their Lie influence their behavior? Is there an opportunity to hint at their Need?"

You don't need to hit all three in every scene, but you should hit at least one. This simple question will eliminate most "I don't know what to write next" paralysis.

The Motivation That Sticks

Here's what I've learned after years of writing and coaching other writers: motivation is easier to maintain when you know why you're writing what you're writing. Random scenes strung together feel meaningless. But scenes that reveal character, challenge beliefs, and build toward transformation? Those feel essential.

The Want/Need/Lie framework gives you that sense of purpose. It transforms your manuscript from "stuff that happens" into "a journey that matters."

So if you're stuck, if you're bored, if you're wondering whether your story is worth finishing—come back to these three elements. Clarify them. Deepen them. Let them guide you.

Your story isn't out of gas. You just needed a map to show you where you're actually going.

Now get back in there and write.