: Re: Why would my "Hero" start his Quest to save the world? In my first big novel-kind-of-thing I'm currently working on, I have a run-of-the-mill, super-non-special "Hero" - the Antagonist. A Jon

But for me, it was Tuesday

(Warning: TV Tropes) tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Main/ButForMeItWasTuesday
Your "hero" has their life messed up badly by some (unnoticed) collateral effect of one of the villain's plans. His workplace gets taken over or blown up, his family hurt, his friends or coworkers all fall ill from mysterious causes. This both frees him from his daily routine and motivates him to start his quest.

If you want to make it more of a choice, reduce the damage to the hero's life so that he could recover and go on, but hand him something uniquely suited to his skills/personality. Whether it's an overheard conversation, strange blueprint or dead body doesn't matter, whatever it is, it causes the hero to realize something "impossible" is going on, something that his mind can't let go off until he figures it out. Following the trail means neglecting the hero's old life, family etc. He may try to do both at first, but will have to choose one or the other before long.

The one discovery/thing/piece of information the hero has also makes him seem competent/useful to any potential allies, so that he can make progress even when it doesn't seem believable for an average Joe.

Load Full (0)

: How does External Conflict set up the Climax? Note: As with any aspect of writing, I'm sure there are those who disagree with it. If you disagree with the conclusions I've come to below, I

@Heady158

Load Full 1 Comments

: Pay rate and terms for writing book series under contract I have a guy that runs a very successful punk/oi! record label in LA. He has asked me if I'd be interested in writing a series of

@Heady158

Load Full 2 Comments

: How do I write meaningful emotional bonds? I have some problems writing romance. I guess that is because I've never experienced it, and maybe I never will. I tried practicing this genre, writing

@Heady158

Load Full 5 Comments

: When can You Pause the Story and Speak Directly to the Reader? Note: This question was previously about breaking the fourth wall. I discovered that my interpretation of that phrase was wrong.

: Re: Why would my "Hero" start his Quest to save the world? In my first big novel-kind-of-thing I'm currently working on, I have a run-of-the-mill, super-non-special "Hero" - the Antagonist. A Jon

More posts by @Heady158

: How does External Conflict set up the Climax? Note: As with any aspect of writing, I'm sure there are those who disagree with it. If you disagree with the conclusions I've come to below, I

: Pay rate and terms for writing book series under contract I have a guy that runs a very successful punk/oi! record label in LA. He has asked me if I'd be interested in writing a series of

: How do I write meaningful emotional bonds? I have some problems writing romance. I guess that is because I've never experienced it, and maybe I never will. I tried practicing this genre, writing

: When can You Pause the Story and Speak Directly to the Reader? Note: This question was previously about breaking the fourth wall. I discovered that my interpretation of that phrase was wrong.

Login to post a comment!

0 Comments

Back to top