How can an author establish a character's motivation?

An author can effectively establish a character's motivation primarily through their actions, dialogue, and relationships. Actions reveal what a character chooses to do, which often indicates their desires and goals. For instance, a character who consistently helps others may be motivated by compassion or a desire for acceptance. Dialogue serves as a direct way to express a character's thoughts, feelings, and motivations, allowing readers to understand what drives them. Finally, relationships with other characters can provide context for motivation, as interactions can highlight conflicts, alliances, and emotional ties that influence a character's choices.

In contrast, physical descriptions focus more on a character's appearance rather than their inner motivations. While detailing the setting can provide context for the character's environment and situation, it does not inherently reveal their desires or reasons for their actions. Unrelated side stories might add depth to the narrative but do not contribute directly to understanding a character's motivation, as they distract from the primary focus on the character's driving forces.