Does your character have something to lose?
I recently watched Iron Man 3. I was all lined up with my popcorn for the usual show of heroism, excitement and a large helping of Tony Stark's ego. I wasn't disappointed but this time round, things were a little different. I take it back. Things were entirely different. Where Tony Stark had always appeared invincible before, this film showed a new vulnerability and for once he was defeated. Of course, he turned it round, beat the bad guy and rescued those who needed to be rescued. All was well in the end. When I thought about it later, what struck me about the difference between this film and the past ones was that this time Tony Stark truly believed he had something to lose, something that mattered more to him than his own life. It also cast him in a new light, less bravado, more kindness. The possibility of loss made him into a better person. I decided to put my own lead character to the test. Did he have something to lose if he didn't rectify the situation he fou...