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This week: The Heroine Within Edited by: NickiD89 More Newsletters By This Editor
1. About this Newsletter 2. A Word from our Sponsor 3. Letter from the Editor 4. Editor's Picks 5. A Word from Writing.Com 6. Ask & Answer 7. Removal instructions
Like many of you, I've considered myself a writer my whole life. But in 2007, I shifted out of hobbyist mode, started writing for an audience, and embarked on the exciting journey towards publication. As I continue on that path and delve ever deeper into the craft, I feed an insatiable appetite for creative writing theory. I seek out how-to books and workshop experiences to augment and amplify whatever talent I possess. For those of you like me, here's a little theory to appease your hunger. |
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The Heroine Within
The protagonist has to be more than the main character of a story. She must be the heroine. She needs to conquer her fears, rise above all adversity, and succeed despite insurmountable odds. By the end of the story, the protagonist should contrast significantly with her pre-evolved self, introduced in the beginning.
When the protagonist steps onto the story stage in her opening scene, she will be riddled with the conflicts upon which the plot is launched. It's important to present her in a way that makes the reader want to embrace her.
What happens in real life when you meet someone who is depressed? Or bitter? Or openly hostile with the world? Does she make you want to hang out with her, get to know her better? Probably not. Unless...you see yourself in her. If you can identify with her suffering, understand it in a way that generates a sense of camaraderie and puts you in her camp, then a relationship is born. The same is true in fiction.
Craft the protagonist with at least one heroic characteristic. No matter how damaged, afraid, prejudiced, or beaten down the character is, plant in her the quality she will need to succeed in the story's ultimate climactic scene. Find at least one way, in her introduction, for the protagonist to show a glimmer of this quality.
We want to read about heroes and heroines. Hell, we want to be heroes and heroines. Give the readers a main character they can cheer on. Let them see a little of themselves in the protagonist, a little of the hero inside. Believe me, they will keep turning the page.
Question For Next Time:
Thanks for reading!
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Question For Next Time:
Last Month's Question: What's your all-time favorite book? Here's what readers said:
Jeff -- Great NL, Nicki! Writing the reaction before the action is one of those pesky writing problems I always have, just like passive sentences. And the writing gets so much better when you proofread and fix all of them!
It's a skill I'm always honing when writing and editing my work!
writetight -- Thanks for featuring my "Invalid Item" .
Dan
My pleasure!!
Quick-Quill -- How can an avid reader pick a favorite book? I guess if I had to pick one it would be Deception Point by Dan brown. I've not found one person I've suggested to read it that hasn't loved it and couldn't put it down. The set up and action is fast and intense. This book should have been made into a movie before any of his other books. DP is by far the best one he's written although not the most contravercial as the others.
Ooh! I love Dan Brown and I haven't read Deception Point yet. I'm going to pick up a copy. Thanks!!
chuckles123 -- (Submitted item "Invalid Item" ) I wrote this poem about someone dying and then people placing flowers on their grave. Any comments are appreciated!
Thanks!
BIG BAD WOLF is Howling -- (Submitted item "Redwall Interactive" ) I've said it once, and a bunch more times- The Redwall series by Brian Jacques. When he talks about the food, you get hungry. When he talks about the fighting, you're in there, mixing it up with the rest. And let's not forget the rest of the emotions.
Awesome!
blue jellybaby -- What a great newsletter! Although the concept seems simple actually having it written there in front of me made me realise how many times I've written things in the wrong order! Thanks for this
You and me both! Thanks!!
See you all back here on March 19, 2014. Until then, have a great month!
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