Sasha

Hello everyone, My name is Sasha and i am a young writer-fresh and new to these forums. Sorry if i'm posting this in the wrong thread, it can get quite confusing! I was just wondering if people think the hero is overrated? Or do we all look for a Hero to "Sell our book" as it were?
My own work, at the moment follows the Hero.
Is it too cliche?
Thank you for your time,
Sasha xx

lin

There is no hard and fast on this stuff. But you are on the safe side: many people are firm believers in the whole protagonist/antagonist concept where the story is spun from the "Hero's Journey" and such.

There are other ways to do it. A community of people, an ensemble of characters with conflicting or similar goals, etc.

It's generally the Heroes that we remember and think of: the big stars of stories. It's hardly a cliche.

You might find this interesting. I completely agree with 1. and 3. , struggle to acheive 2.
I'm not a fan of Grisham, but it's hard to argue his success. You won't far wrong with these tips.


John Grisham's Ten Commandments:
(rumored to be sitting beside his typewriter).

1. Start with action. Explain it later.
2. Make it tough for your protagonist.
3. Plant it early. Pay it off later.
4. Give the protagonist the initiative.
5. Give the protagonist a personal stake.
6. Give the protagonist a short time list. Then
shorten it again.
7. Choose your character according to your own
capacities as well as his/hers.
8. Know your destination before you set out.
9. Don't rush in where angels fear to tread.
10. Don't write anything you wouldn't want to read.

And more directly to your question, these tips from thriller author Terence Strong:

1. Stick with the hero.
2. Build tension: make sure the reader understands
the stakes.
3. Use a hard narrative drive.
4. Say it straight!


Good luck

__________________

Sasha

Thank you very much.
Sasha

JosephB

Well I wrote this before seeing lin's post. That's got it covered.

Glad you are giving writing a shot.

I wouldn't think in terms of having a "hero" or not. You story will likely have a protagonist -- his/her actions, intentions thoughts, observations etc. are the main focus of a story.

A protagonist isn't necessarily a hero. Heroes do heroic things and you can certainly write a story where you main character has everyday problems or is thrown into a situation where he must overcome something or someone.

Good luck and go write something!

__________________
"The secret to creativity is knowing how to hide your sources."
-- Albert Einstein

"I am really only interested in a fiction of miracles."
-- Flannery O'Connor

Sasha

Thanks for your help Josephb and Lin-i've noted these points well.
I think i'm going to like it here!
Sasha xx

lin

Don't use words like protagonist or antagonist. They just mess you up. They are for critics, not writers.

__________________

sdavis2k

I find the tragic dark hero to be the best personally. Someone who isn't completely good, or seems at times to be devoid of good completely. Someone who is willing to sacrifice people along the journey for the greater good of the team, screw the whole no one left behind talk.

I think when you can make someone who does very few "good" things seem heroic you have really accomplished something.