I recently listened to a new podcast by Noah J. Matthews. In this episode, he and his guest Brad Pauquette discussed some of the subtle differences between audiences of men and women, and what appeals to them. You can listen to the episode here.
Many times when coaching writers, I’ve had to ask the question, “Who are you writing for?” The phrase “Know your audience” is a serious one, and means exactly what it says. Writing for yourself? Then write what you want to read. Writing for someone else? Know them, and what will appeal to them. Do not write what you think they ought to like, or the message you think they need to hear whether they like it or not.
In the podcast, one of the topics that came up was a comparison between two movies. I had already seen Pacific Rim. While it was a fun popcorn flick, I never bothered watching it a second time. The other movie, Battleship, I hadn’t seen. So I bought it and watched it.
I had avoided Battleship partly because most of the movies I’ve seen that are based on games are mediocre at best. I should have known that there are exceptions. Clue: The Movie was so funny and well crafted that I still watch it to this day.
Now, knowing what I do of Chris Behnke’s Human NEXUS profiling system, I can safely say that the characters were part of what added to the quality of Battleship. There are many movies and shows that highlight the beneficial qualities of Solutionaries, Stabilizers, and Influencers. There are many that will show a Driver in action with all their enthusiasm, energy, and goal-oriented thinking. But there are very few that show the negative ways that society reacts to Driver energy.
Everyone loves Driver energy when they first come across it. I’ve had many employers who claim they want employees that take initiative and get things done on their own. They describe the initiative and momentum that Drivers naturally bring. But in my experience, they don’t actually want what they think they do.
When a Driver is blocked, they will do whatever it takes to keep momentum going. Because when they are halted, it takes an extraordinary amount of energy for them to start moving again. When they are directionless, they will meander, getting nothing done. Others will become frustrated with them, trying to figure out how someone can be so smart and so feckless at the same time.
At the beginning of Battleship, Alex Hopper, the main character, is a perfect portrayal of a Driver without a goal. He’s moving. But since he has no specific target to aim for, he’s reckless and driving forward in all kinds of wrong directions. Without a clear direction or overall purpose to strive toward, a Driver will latch onto whatever goal catches their attention out of desperation. Hence, Battleship portrayed the “chicken burrito” incident.
When a Driver latches onto a goal greater than themselves, they will perform crazy maneuvers that likely would fail for anyone without Driver intensity and energy. When an impossible goal is faced, such as stopping incoming aliens with impenetrable shields blocking off Hawaii, a Driver is more likely to achieve that impossible goal than anyone else.
While the podcast used Battleship as an example of a man stepping up into a position of responsibility to get the job done and protect the ones he loves, it is more than that. Many stories show characters stepping up like that—The Lord of the Rings, Ladyhawke, or Willow. What sets Battleship apart is that it also shows both the positives and negatives of being a Driver. It shows a Driver in a world that tries to hold back his energy instead of giving him a goal to focus on. And it shows what can happen, achieving the impossible, when that Driver energy is finally unleashed.
It’s easy to write off Battleship as just another action flick aimed at men, but that’s only part of the story. If you really know your audience, you’ll see this is a movie tailor-made for Drivers. It speaks to those who live off momentum, who don’t do well boxed in, and who often get misunderstood before they’re ever unleashed. That’s the power of writing with clarity to your audience. Not just to gender or age, but the internal wiring that drives them. When you know who you’re writing for, whether it’s a novel, a script, or even a blog, you stop trying to force a message and start showing them something they recognize as true.
If you’re looking for more practical tools to build compelling characters, be sure to join the newsletter. As a bonus, you’ll get a free short story set in a fantasy world, exclusively available only to subscribers.
📩 [Subscribe Here]
If you want to understand what motivates your characters—and yourself—start by taking the free Human NEXUS profile test:
🔗 Learn Your Profile
💬 Use code ROlson10off for a discount on the full version
Find us on these platforms
🌍 Website: RebekahOlsonVentures.com
📘 Facebook: AuthorRebekahOlson
🐦 X (Twitter): @Author_R_Olson
🕊 Truth Social:@RebekahOlson