Secrets

Why does a character have secrets?

And why when secrets surface in a story is it so satisfying?

We love the reveal of evidence in a crime story, a lost touch in romantic betrayal, memories of stern parenting that stifle motivation in an adventure. What sparks a character’s memory can be unexpected; a song, a taste, an image, but secrets are a deep part of their reality and drives their story. Their secret helps define who they are. And if a character doesn’t have a secret, they may feel somewhat flat.

Secrets play particularly well when opposed to the action a hero has to undertake, and sometimes a secret is the driver of the action a hero has to undertake.

There are reasons we are delighted by secrets in storytelling. The revelation of someone’s hidden history makes us understand them better. As we watch the eureka moment of a hero knowing themselves, parts of their story click into place. The new truths revealed may be so profound that we may understand their story in an entirely new way.

This dovetails to our own experiences. We know the significant impact secrets can have in our own lives, and how they affect personal motivations. Personal reflection and self awareness can be life changing. Personal history makes us who we are, including our secrets.

A character’s journey needs to reflect our own journey so that we can relate to them.

And that is why a character has secrets.