Writing Lessons from Angry Birds: Goals

Angry Birds is one of my favorite writing distractions. Nothing like destroy green, smug-faced pigs to get the creative juices flowing or to relax after writing an intense scene. I think you can learn a thing or two about writing from the simple game.

First lesson: Goals. Your hero should have them and they should be worthy goals. That means they should be something the reader cares about too.

In Angry Birds, the birds are angry (well obviously) and are determined to destroy the green pigs. By itself, that is sort of blah. I’m sure the game would still be entertaining, but would I get as angry at the pigs as I do? (Well, technically yes, because I am angry at the stupid green pigs because they always defy gravity and balance on an impossible ledge or they get nestled safely under rubble that should’ve crushed them, but that’s beside the point).

Why should we care about the birds?

Their goal: Not to destroy the pigs, but to get back their eggs. That’s right! The mean old pigs stole the poor defenseless baby birds. It’s a much better goal. Suddenly, those slingshot birds have our sympathy and attention.

A worthy goal will draw the reader in. It will make them sympathize with your hero and want them to succeed.