Character Control

While writing a story it's easy to just get in a rhythm and your story can begin to take over.  As a writer you have to keep control of your character by understanding why they are what they are.  Characters are always either active or passive.  Generally, the audience always wants the character to be active.  An active character is one that the audience sees and hopes that that's how they would react in the given situation.  Active characters are the heroes that make things happen.  In order to correctly create a character you need to understand Maslow's Hierarchy of Needs.  This is a five tier list that applies to everyone.  1. Exist- The most basic of needs is the need to exist and is the broadest of building blocks.  2. Security- After you know you are here right now, knowing that you will be here tomorrow and beyond is the second need.  3. Love- With security now in place you are ready for the love of another.  4. Esteem- Now that you have the love of another you would like to have the respect of a larger group of people.  5. Self- With the previous four blocks in place you are able to have a great enough self worth to think about more than just yourself.  When someone is only on the first tier they are much more focused on themselves with little room for other's problems and when they get to the Self step people begin to look outward.