CHARACTER MOTIVATION THESAURUS

ESCAPING CONFINEMENT



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HELPFUL TIP:

To understand why your character is driven toward a certain goal, get to know their positive and negative traits, as well as any significant emotional wounds that might be motivating them. Then you can explore the various kinds of conflict that could block them as they move toward their goal.
FORMS THIS MIGHT TAKE:
Escaping a trapped building
Finding one's way out of a maze-like area, such as catacombs, a water and sewer system, or underground tunnel system
Slipping out of a motel room that is being watched by police
Escaping from prison
Finding a way out of a locked room
Being trapped in an enemy's city as a political prisoner
Being trapped on an island with no way off
Escaping a sinking ship
Breaking out of a guarded psychiatric facility
Removing blockades and obstacles after an underground cave-in
Escaping an elevator that has malfunctioned
Escaping an apartment, penthouse, or highly secure piece of property where one is being held against one's will
Getting out of a damaged bunker or storm shelter after a violent natural or man-made event
Finding one's way out of a holding room at an airport, a country's border, or some other government-protected access point
Escaping a facility (above or below ground) when the power is out and all access points are locked down

HUMAN NEED DRIVING THE GOAL (INNER MOTIVATION):
There are five basic human needs that, when missing from a character's life, could motivate them to pursue this goal. The following needs are all possibilities, but only one of them should be the primary driver for any given character. For more information on the relationship between human needs and outer motivations, please see​ this ​Character Motivation tutorial.

Self-Actualization: If a situation is preventing the character from following a higher calling, such as being imprisoned for their spiritual beliefs, the need to continue that good work will drive them to  escape.
Love and Belonging: Sometimes, an imprisonment can threaten the character's relationship with loved ones. For example, an inmate who sees their children giving up on them and moving on with their lives may be motivated to escape or be released to keep that from happening.
Safety and Security: A confined character who has given up hope for escape may be motivated to try again if the situation changes for the worse—perhaps if a ticking clock scenario is introduced or they learn that the security of a loved one has become threatened.
Physiological Needs: A character will do anything to escape confinement when death is imminent—except if they feel that the punishment is justified, such as with a death row inmate or someone who believes he is being justly punished for past actions.

HOW THE CHARACTER MAY PREPARE FOR THIS GOAL:
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POSSIBLE SACRIFICES OR COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH THIS GOAL:
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ROADBLOCKS WHICH COULD PREVENT THIS GOAL FROM BEING ACHIEVED:
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TALENTS & SKILLS THAT WILL HELP THE CHARACTER ACHIEVE THIS GOAL:
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WHAT'S AT STAKE IF THIS GOAL ISN'T MET?
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CLICHÉS TO AVOID:
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