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Cool Bits: Motivation
As I was messing about with a copy of the Cool Bits generator yesterday, it struck me that the one aspect of story it was missing was the why of things, in short, character motivations. Now I'm sure that there's lots of you out there who have cracktastic Cool Bits for *why* people do the things they do in stories, so list 'em off here! I'll dad them to the generator and pop in a few new sentence constructions to use 'em. :)
(In other news, my body can't decide if I'm getting a cold or if it's just serious allergies. Pfui. I hate that state of non-commitment.)
ETA: Examples of the sort of thing I'm looking for. HOWEVER: please make sure that these are cool bits for you (whether for heroes or villains), the sort of thing that will make you clutch a book to your bosom and giggle madly, and not just any motivation you can think of. :)
because they are diverting attention from something else
because of an addiction
because of an addiction to drama
by lust for an unattainable object of desire
out of a desire for vengeance
out of a desire to impress a lover
out of a desire to impress a superior
out of loyalty to a commanding officer
out of professional ambition
(In other news, my body can't decide if I'm getting a cold or if it's just serious allergies. Pfui. I hate that state of non-commitment.)
ETA: Examples of the sort of thing I'm looking for. HOWEVER: please make sure that these are cool bits for you (whether for heroes or villains), the sort of thing that will make you clutch a book to your bosom and giggle madly, and not just any motivation you can think of. :)
because they are diverting attention from something else
because of an addiction
because of an addiction to drama
by lust for an unattainable object of desire
out of a desire for vengeance
out of a desire to impress a lover
out of a desire to impress a superior
out of loyalty to a commanding officer
out of professional ambition
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alternatively, "because they love the smell of napalm in the morning".
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because it has to be done
to spare innocent hands from bloodshed
because they are already damned
because all the streams flow in that direction
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Also:
because of boredom
because of some twisted philosophical logic to right the wrongs in the world (ala SAW 1,2,3,4)
to save a loved one
to get attention
to prove self-worth (ala Rock Lee from Naruto)
similiarly, to find one's self (ala Gaara)
because they believe it's fate/it has to be
to protect one person (regardless of who else gets hurt in the process)
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Because they are under a curse that forces their actions.
Because their sword will kill them if they can't find some bad guy to kill with it every day.
Because they want to live up to some unattainable ideal of heroism.
Because otherwise, they wouldn't respect themself.
Because that's the kind of person they want to be.
Because no one saved them, so they have sworn to save others.
Because though they know they'll never be the best or even all that good, they still love the art and want to try.
Because kicking ass is fun.
Because someone done them wrong.
Because their country is not yet free.
Because they have a death wish.
Because they're looking for an honorable way to commit suicide.
Because they're dying anyway, so they might as well.
Because no one will ever love them.
Because it's a shame not to use your talents.
Because they've always wanted to be a hero.
Because they've always wanted to open a really good restaurant.
Because they burned all their bridges back home.
Because they desperately want a family.
Because that's what a soldier does.
Because that's what a scientist does.
Because they want to understand how the world works.
Because nothing is more important than knowledge.
Because nothing is more important than art.
Because they only want to dance.
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I also love appending "... as one does" to some outrageously improbable action, but I don't know if that'll fit your template. :)
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I also copied one of the new structures and added (as one does) to it. We'll see if it works or not. XD
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This story is about what happens when a morally ambiguous mentor, who is motivated because it's a social experiment, and a fallen angel, who is motivated because no one saved them, so they have sworn to save others, meet in a quiet and dusty museum. A key element of the conflict is items made of glass.
As for this one...
The story begins in a ruined cathedral, when a changeling and a retired superhero meet because of subtle allusions. It is about two people who can only trust each other. The antagonist is not motivated because they've always wanted to open a really good restaurant.
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because it's the only way to make things right.
because otherwise, the terrorists win.
because that's the kind of person they are.
to bring joy into the world.
to bring sorrow into the world.
to bring new life into the world.
to avoid the pain they feel inside.
because everyone should be happy.
(I'd put "for the lulz" but, come on.)
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They're both added. XD
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to avenge a lost sibling
to atone for past misdeeds
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