Get 3 months of Audible free - Get this deal
$9.99 with 71 percent savings
Print List Price: $34.24

Promotions are applied when you make a purchase

These promotions will be applied to this item:

Sold by 鶹.com.ca ULC.
Read with our free app
You have subscribed to ! We will pre-order your items within 24 hours of when they become available. When new books are released, we’ll charge your default payment method for the lowest price available during the pre-order period.
Update your device or payment method, cancel individual pre-orders or your subscription at
Your Memberships & Subscriptions
Kindle app logo image

Download the free Kindle app and start reading Kindle books instantly on your smartphone, tablet or computer – no Kindle device required.

Read instantly on your browser with Kindle for Web.

Using your mobile phone camera, scan the code below and download the Kindle app.

QR code to download the Kindle app

  • GMC: Goal, Motivation, and Conflict
  • To view this video, download

Follow the author

Debra Dixon
Follow
Something went wrong. Please try your request again later.

GMC: Goal, Motivation, and Conflict Kindle Edition

by Debra Dixon (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.7 out of 5 stars 531 ratings
4.4 on Goodreads
1,258 ratings

鶹

' + '' + decodeURIComponent(encodedIframeContent) + ''+''); doc.close(); } } this.iframeload = function () { var iframe = document.getElementById(iframeId); iframe.style.display = ''; setTimeout(function () { setIframeHeight(initialResizeCallback); }, 20); } function getDocHeight(doc) { var contentDiv = doc.getElementById("iframeContent"); var docHeight = 0; if(contentDiv){ docHeight = Math.max( contentDiv.scrollHeight, contentDiv.offsetHeight, contentDiv.clientHeight ); } return docHeight; } function setIframeHeight(resizeCallback) { var iframeDoc, iframe = document.getElementById(iframeId); iframeDoc = ((iframe.contentWindow && iframe.contentWindow.document) || iframe.contentDocument); if (iframeDoc) { var h = getDocHeight(iframeDoc); if (h && h != 0) { iframe.style.height = parseInt(h) + 'px'; if(typeof resizeCallback == "function") { resizeCallback(iframeId); } } else if (nTries < MAX_TRIES) { nTries++; setTimeout(function () { setIframeHeight(resizeCallback); }, 50); } } } this.resizeIframe = function(resizeCallback) { nTries = 0; setIframeHeight(resizeCallback); } } return DynamicIframe; });
"This book belongs on every fiction writer's bookshelf. Anyone who has ever had a story to tell and is dying to get it down on paper will find guidance and inspiration in GMC. The presentation is clear, immediate, and relevant to all writers—from novices to seasoned professionals. Experienced author Debra Dixon has done a magnificent job of demystifying the toughest aspect of fiction writing: that of a giving a story shape, form and urgency."—Susan Wiggs, New York Times bestselling and RITA® Award winning author

"One of the best in her craft."—Toronto Star

"Goal, Motivation & Conflict is one of my all time favorites."—Jane Porter (Flirting With Forty), award winning and bestselling author with 10 million books in print, in twenty languages and 25 countries

Goal, motivation, and conflict are the foundation of everything that happens in the story world. Using charts, examples, and movies, the author breaks these key elements down into understandable components and walks the reader through the process of laying this foundation in a novel. Learn what causes sagging middles and how to fix them, which goals are important, which aren't and why, how to get your characters to do what they need for your plot in a believable manner, and how to use conflict to create a good story. GMC can be used not only in plotting, but in character development, sharpening scenes, pitching ideas to an editor, and evaluating whether an idea will work.

Be confident your ideas will work before you write 200 pages.
Plan a road map to keep your story on track.
Discover why your scenes aren't working and what to do about it.
Create characters that editors and readers will care about.
Read more
Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    139 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Accessibility
    Learn more
  4. Publication date
    June 26 2025
  5. File size
    3.0 MB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0FFJP2SGM
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Riverbluff Publishing
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ June 26 2025
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3.0 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 139 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 979-8992520514
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • 鶹 Rank: #52,637 in Kindle Store (See Top 100 in Kindle Store)
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.7 out of 5 stars 531 ratings

About the author

Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations.
Debra Dixon

Debra Dixon

Brief content visible, double tap to read full content.
Full content visible, double tap to read brief content.

Discover more of the author’s books, see similar authors, read book recommendations and more.

Customer reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars
531 global ratings

Review this product

Share your thoughts with other customers
Write a customer review

Customers say

Customers find the book valuable and an excellent writing resource. They say it's powerful, compelling, and one of the best how-to books on GMC out there. Readers also say the material is easy to read and apply.

Select to learn more

Writing materialReadability
6 customers mention "Writing material"6 positive0 negative

Customers find the writing material valuable and excellent for novice writers. They say it explains in detail what a solid powerful story looks like.

"This is an invaluable tool for writers, especially beginner writers...." Read more

"What a wonderful book for the beginning and seasoned writer. It explains in detail what a solid powerful story looks like...." Read more

"Debra Dixon writes the best book yet on finding and creating character goals, motivation and conflict...." Read more

"One of the best how to books on GMC out there. No writer should have this in their arsenal." Read more

4 customers mention "Readability"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the material easy to read and apply.

"...The material is easy to read and apply." Read more

"...An immediate way. It's easy to read, easy to understand, and somewhat easy to implement in your writing..." Read more

"GMC is super. A clear how-to for writers who want to up their game..." Read more

"Motivating & Easy to Understand..." Read more

Top reviews from Canada

  • Pamela D'Addetta
    5.0 out of 5 stars Best investment Ive made in craft books!
    Reviewed in Canada on February 5, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This is an invaluable tool for writers, especially beginner writers. The author walks you through each step in building the goals, motivation s and conflicts for your characters that will help you build the best story possible. The material is easy to read and apply.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Katrina Ariel
    5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent writing resource!
    Reviewed in Canada on October 28, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    As a writer, reading this book improved my craft in a big way. An immediate way. It's easy to read, easy to understand, and somewhat easy to implement in your writing (it's not that easy because writing is hard, but this technique helps!). I highly recommend it to anyone interested in the elements of creating a compelling story.
    Helpful
     Report
  • 鶹 Customer
    4.0 out of 5 stars A very good book for writers and would-be writers - an excellen ...
    Reviewed in Canada on December 4, 2017
    A very good book for writers and would-be writers - an excellen study of the craft of fiction.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Cheryl Graham
    5.0 out of 5 stars Want to write a powerful compelling book?
    Reviewed in Canada on April 17, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    What a wonderful book for the beginning and seasoned writer. It explains in detail what a solid powerful story looks like. GMC is just a car but it means Goal Motivation Conflict which are essential to building a compelling narrative. Wow, helped me so much.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Linda Cahill
    5.0 out of 5 stars GMC is super. A clear how-to for writers who want to up their game
    Reviewed in Canada on February 12, 2017
    Verified Purchase
    Debra Dixon writes the best book yet on finding and creating character goals, motivation and conflict. I read it in two sittings and will start again tomorrow. Should be beside every writer's computer.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Kelly
    5.0 out of 5 stars Must have for every writer
    Reviewed in Canada on November 5, 2015
    Verified Purchase
    One of the best how to books on GMC out there. No writer should have this in their arsenal.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Andrea D. Smith
    5.0 out of 5 stars Motivating & Easy to Understand
    Reviewed in Canada on February 26, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Dixon's book is written in language friendly to the constantly-addled brain of the writer, and the use of frequent GMC charts helps keep the focus where it belongs.
    Helpful
     Report
  • Anne H.
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on July 5, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Very helpful. Practical examples.
    Helpful
     Report

Top reviews from other countries

Translate all reviews to English
  • Consommatrice
    4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent !
    Reviewed in France on October 2, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Très bon livre exposant d'excellent conseils d'écriture de façon simple et visuelle. Seul point négatif, les derniers chapitres qui ne sont pas véritablement utile à tout le monde. Je recommande vivement !
    Report
  • Nicky
    5.0 out of 5 stars This author knows her stuff!
    Reviewed in Australia on May 30, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Loved this. It's made me a better reader, too ... I have so many more AHA moments now.
    Report
  • Kerry B
    5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best Writing Books I've Read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 12, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This is one of best writing craft books I've read. The goal-motivation-conflict technique is great for giving characters depth and bringing flat stories to life, and is pretty good for brainstorming, too. In a few places I found myself skipping examples etc, but they are there if you need them. Would definitely recommend.
    Report
  • Becca T.
    5.0 out of 5 stars An Essential Book For All Authors!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 15, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    Y’ALL! This book right here is gold! If you are writing commercial fiction and character driven stories, and struggle to plot and fumbling your way through the writing process with no direction, this will help you so much and show you exactly what to do! I wish I had this book years ago!

    The way Debra explains everything is super easy to understand as she gives you examples based on movies. It’s not overwhelming as she is quick and to the point, and then gives you “homework” to practice.

    Even though this was written in 1996, it is ALL still applicable. Even in self publishing, you can take the query section and apply that to your business. There wasn’t one chapter that wasn’t useful!

    “GMC. Otherwise known as the plot.”

    “If you can trace every action in your book to a unique characters goal and motivation, then the character will create the plot right before your eyes.”

    “Your reader wants to become involved in the characters struggle to achieve a specific goal. The reader wants to understand why your character is motivated to achieve that goal. The reader wants to worry about whether or not the character can actually achieve that goal. Conflict creates the worry.”

    “You have to take the reader on a journey of uncertainty.”

    “Active characters create plot. Let them slug their way through the book toward their goal. Havoc equals excellent reading.”

    “The goal should be important enough for the character to act against their own best interest and endure hardship if necessary. Important enough means there are unpleasant consequences if the goal is not achieved.”

    “Romance novels: the goal is not to fall in love and get married. Love is inconvenient. Romance is a conflict. Think about how a romance will complicate the goal.”

    “Falling in love should impact the characters original goal. Falling in love should require your hero and heroine to make choices.”

    “Each characters GMC chart should clash with each other. They should feed off each other, push each other forward to create roadblocks.”

    “Every character has an agenda. It creates plot because the characters are now players.”

    “Character decisions create your plot.”

    “A scene should illustrate a characters progress toward the goal, or provide an experience which changes the characters goal.”
    Report
  • Iola
    5.0 out of 5 stars Recommended reading for fiction authors
    Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2013
    Verified Purchase
    Every now and again I come across a writing blog that mentions GMC, which stands for Goal Motivation Conflict, and is the simple yet powerful concept explained in this book. It’s simple, because most books on writing craft emphasise these three aspects of writing (even if they give them different names) and powerful because conflict—internal and external—is the essence of good fiction. GMC gives a way of ensuring this is properly integrated into the entire plot, whether that is at the plotting, writing or revision stage.

    Dixon uses movies such as The Wizard of Oz and Indiana Jones to explain the concepts (in fact, she recommends readers watch the movies before reading the book, so they will get the full benefit).

    GMC is structured in four main sections: Goal, Motivation, Conflict and Scenes. Each section has a helpful list of the main points covered in the section, and the author is very persuasive in her belief that the GMC concept can help all writers, but that each writer can and will choose to apply the concept in a different way.

    Dixon also answers the question of why I don’t write fiction:

    “If conflict makes you uncomfortable or you have difficulty wrecking the lives of your characters, you need to consider another line of work.”

    Yes, I’ll stick with reading.

    I’ve read books that were obviously written using the GMC concept, and while I didn’t always like some of the characters, their purpose was clear. I’ve also read some books that obviously weren’t written based on the GMC concept, and they were lacking. Some were lacking conflict, some were lacking character goal, some were lacking in not having a single likeable character. Give conflict is the basis of all good fiction, authors will benefit from using an approach like this. Recommended.
    Report

Report an issue


Does this item contain inappropriate content?
Report
Do you believe that this item violates a copyright?
Report
Does this item contain quality or formatting issues?
Report