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Printed from https://shop.writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/7069-Main-Character-Syndrome.html
Action/Adventure: July 01, 2015 Issue [#7069]

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Action/Adventure


 This week: Main Character Syndrome
  Edited by: NaNoNette Author IconMail Icon
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Table of Contents

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

About This Newsletter

Hello writers and readers of action and adventure, I am NaNoNette Author Icon, your guest editor for this issue.


Word from our sponsor

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Letter from the editor

Main Character Syndrome


Predictable Writing in Action/Adventure


Can you really root for the designated winner?


In recent weeks, I've spent a lot of time discussing fiction with my sons (16, 13, and 11). The one topic that keeps coming up is "Main Character Syndrome." According to the middle son, this syndrome robs him of some of the suspense in a story. Once he's figured out who the main character is, he knows this one character is pretty much immune to most peril. Yes, he might get beaten up some on the way, but we know he's going to be just fine in the end, so his predicament becomes a weaker experience for us.

There are ways around that.

Stay with the predictable nature of the main character by giving him small challenges to overcome throughout while he pursues his larger goal and let him earn small winnings as he goes.

Use humor. Let some bad stuff happen to the main character that puts him in jeopardy, but in a slapstick way. While we know he'll come out alive and well, humor can make him more real and relatable. It breaks up the plot with a welcome laugh and we're really happy when he truly (and as we expected) wins in the end.

Give him a sidekick that keeps messing up and slows him down, yet come through in surprising ways along the way when the main character was stuck.



Editor's Picks

 HUNTER'S RUN Open in new Window. (13+)
America invaded, a hunter & his dog on a mission behind enemy lines somewhere in Colorado.
#1860969 by Christian Powers Author IconMail Icon

 
STATIC
A Leap of Faith Open in new Window. (E)
Beth discovers inner strength when she loses what she loves most.
#1384184 by Redtowrite Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1617538 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1936526 by Not Available.

 Fall Colors Open in new Window. (13+)
A photographer flies over Shenandoah National Park with less than satisfactory results.
#2013946 by Sailor661 Author IconMail Icon

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1894439 by Not Available.

 Invalid Item Open in new Window.
This item number is not valid.
#1976417 by Not Available.

 The Warring Monk Open in new Window. (E)
A story of a young man coming to grips with the treachery of his older brother.
#1750842 by dogwood212 Author IconMail Icon

 There Open in new Window. (E)
Native American supernatural adventure 1995 words
#1937410 by Sara Author IconMail Icon

 
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Word from Writing.Com

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Ask & Answer

Comments I got for my last Action Adventure Newsletter "Companions" Open in new Window..

monty31802 wrote: Fine New Letter Say all that is needed without wasting words.

Thank you as always for your kind words for my efforts.

BIG BAD WOLF is Howling Author Icon wrote: You always need a buddy, or two. "Kids Next Door Operation: W.H.A.T.I.F?" Open in new Window.

The buddy system works.


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