Character motivations are key to great fiction. What aviator inner drives will shape a three-dimensional character?
In this series, we’ve been looking at how to write flying scenes that CLICK. So far, we’ve explored aviator CULTURE and aviator LANGUAGE.
Now let’s turn to the INNER DRIVE of an aviator and what this might look like in fiction.
Truth be told, the motivations of a character who flies and fights can be as diverse as anyone else. On the other hand, certain traits that make on successful as a military aviator tend to be overrepresented.
So, for someone writing such a character, I offer these two seemingly contradictory principles:
- MAKE THEIR INNER DRIVES COMPLEX, NOT A STEREOTYPE
- INCLUDE AT LEAST ONE COMMON INNER DRIVE FOR AN AVIATOR
Think of this as a “both-and” situation.
Let’s start with COMPLEX INNER DRIVES.
As a military pilot, I spent relatively little time in the cockpit. Most of my days involved rubbing shoulders with my comrades (some of whom had massive shoulders, let me tell you…)
Or—for fewer hours than I would have liked—I was with my family and friends outside of work. Or connecting with my faith community. Then there were hobbies, volunteering, and other interests. (At one point, my dear wife actually urged me to find a hobby…I’ll let you imagine her motivations!) 😊
The point is, consider the whole of a character’s life—and their entire backstory arc—when assembling what matters to them. Their motivations may be coherent—or contradictory! They may having a tea party with their little girl one afternoon—No, Daddy, you have to lift your pinky while you sip—and be teaching a new pilot how to put their bombs in a terrorist’s living room the next.
The same fingers that enjoy strumming soothing chords on an acoustic guitar may be honed in a thunderous machine to find and kill an enemy.
So be willing to break the stereotypes.
Or, with creative judgment to roll with them.
Which brings us to COMMON INNER DRIVES for military aviators.
In my earlier post about aviation CULTURE, I mentioned CAMARADERIE & COMPETITION.
Like any other challenging endeavor with winners and losers, military aviation attracts competitive types who love being part of a winning team.
But let me suggest a few other common motivators (no, I didn’t do a scientific survey my aviator friends, because we’d rather go to the gym than take part in a scientific survey…) 😉
Here are 5 COMMON INNER DRIVES:
- LOYALTY – To a nation, a righteous cause, and each other.
- RISK-TAKING – What is perfectly safe is absolutely meaningless.
- SACRIFICE – This goes along with #1 & #2. Do the hard work. Put yourself on the line.
- MASTERY – Never accept “good enough.” Debrief to perfection. The mission demands mastery.
- FREEDOM – Flying itself is an expression of freedom. So is fun with one’s comrades. Protecting a free way of life for ourselves and others ties to every element above.
There’s my concise list.
Is there another common inner drive amongst aviators you think deserves a mention?
Feel free to comment below!
Until next time…
Dan