I have thought about this often because Scott you talk about the protag's want vs need. However in my story, the reason it captivates me is because there is absolutely no reason at all for the story to happen. The whole point of it (and movie tag line and possibly even title is "Sometimes bad things happen.") is that it's just horrible luck that catapults my heroine into the story, but then it's her increasingly bad decisions and her being incapable of dealing with the tragedy that is the catalyst, (by moving on or letting go,) that ultimately provides a downfall arc. At the beginning of the story things finally seem to be going well for her and she's on the verge of getting everything she wants in life. Then it all goes to hell. But honestly, the fact this story keeps presenting itself as an almost exact opposite to most beat sheets and outline templates that I have seen is causing some confusion and frustration for me.

Because it's time for her to step up to the plate in her life - move on from the ideal family life she has come from and establish her own relationship with someone who is substantive, not just someone who shares something frivolous with her birth family. In order for her to be happy and create a life for herself, it's essential to do so now. Not tomorrow or yesterday, but today.