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Do you give your characters heroic qualities?

As a literary agent, Donald Maas says he reads too many proposals with protagonists who are Plain Janes or Average Joes. While the world is filled with such people, readers don’t want to read about them.

So how do we avoid this problem?

Donald Maas’ recommendation:
Think of one of your heroes. Why is this person your hero? What qualities make this person admirable? Boil it down to one defining quality. Find a way to give your character this heroic quality and make it apparent right from the get-go.

My Example:
One of my personal heroes is my pastor. The quality I admire in him is his passion for souls and his passion for truth. He doesn’t shy away from truth, no matter how difficult or unpopular it might be to preach. I admire that about him. So I spent a chunk of time the other day figuring out how I could embed this quality into my heroine. The exercise opened up a whole new avenue of plot possibilities that I never would have explored if I hadn’t gone through the exercise.

Important Note:
Some of you might be saying, “But my MC isn’t a hero.” That’s fine. He or she doesn’t have to be. A lot of average people possess heroic qualities. Your character should too.

Questions to Ponder: Who is your hero? Why is this person your hero?removetweetmeme

My Bookshelf:
Writing the Breakout Novel by Donald Maas
Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook by Donald Maas
Fire in Fiction by Donald Maas
Self-Editing for the Fiction Writer by Renni Browne and Dave King
Finding your Writer’s Voice by Thaisa Frank and Dorothy Wall
Getting Into Character by Brandilyn Collins
Goal, Motivation, and Conflict by Debra Dixon
Techniques of the Selling Writer by Dwight Swain
Revision and Self-Editing by James Scott Bell
Plot and Structure by James Scott Bell

My three favorites:
1. Goal, Motivation, and Conflict
2. Techniques for the Selling Writer
3. Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook

Get Ready for a New Series:
On Wednesday, I will kick off my new series based on Donald Maas’ Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook. I will post on Mondays and Wednesdays. I’m hoping the exercises will prepare my brain for maximum absorption for Donald Maas’ early bird workshop in Denver on September 17th.

For nonwriters:
The series will have some fun nonwriting-related questions to ponder. You might learn a thing or two about yourself, which is always fun! Please don’t be shy about stopping by.

Questions to Ponder: For everybody – what does your bookshelf say about you? For writers – what craft book has helped you grow the most as a writer?removetweetmeme

Cares:
I’m reading Numbers in the Bible and I have a deep admiration for Joshua and Caleb. Talk about two men who trusted in God completely. I want my faith to look like theirs.

I’m getting into more of a routine. The second week of school wasn’t as tiring as the first. I’m hoping the trend continues. Missing Brogan will never go away, but our daycare provider sends pictures and videos via email, which makes being away from him easier. And the fact that he’s only two minutes from my school helps a lot too.

I had Curriculum and Information Night last night with my students’ parents. It went very well, but I didn’t get home until 8:30 PM. I’m very thankful it’s Friday. I’m tired.

Concerns:
Getting my pitch ready for the ACFW conference, which is in *gulp* three and a half weeks.

Ryan’s back hurts. Not a good thing for his line of work

Celebrations:
I had a major breakthrough with my outline for Wishing on Willows. Things are jelling. Things are flowing. It’s the BEST feeling!

I ordered Writing the Breakout Novel Workbook off Amazon two days ago and it came in the mail today. Talk about timely service. I’m very eager to start working through it and to share what I’ve learned.

Question to Ponder: What are your cares, concerns, and celebrations on this sleepy Friday morning?removetweetmeme