MAKING YOUR CHARACTERS COME ALIVE PART II

As promised, we’re returning to last week’s lesson to show you how at Nsibidi Fables we make our characters come alive. Enjoy!

Hero/Heroine:

With the Hero/Heroine, the objective shifts slightly. While this character is remarkable—perhaps even superhuman—what aspects of their personality make them relatable? How can the writer reveal a glimpse of this character’s humanity? It falls on the writer to provide the Hero/Heroine with a soft spot, something that brings them down from their lofty status and allows the reader to think: “I can connect with that.” Filmmakers refer to this as the pet-the-dog moment. This moment occurs when a tough protagonist gently pets a stray dog in an alley, smiles, and says, “You better get outta here, little fella. Trouble is coming.” This simple act reveals the character’s human side and makes them more sympathetic to the audience.

Examples of Hero/Heroine Characters: Superman, James Bond, Harry Potter

When working with a Hero/Heroine, consider:

What is this character’s soft spot or vulnerability?

How can I craft a pet-the-dog moment for this character to highlight this trait?

Misunderstood Character: (AKA Dark Protagonist)

Lastly, with the Misunderstood Character, it’s essential to showcase a flicker of light. This character may be hurt, lost, or doomed to suffer (or perhaps they’re just overly dramatic; it’s often unclear), but we need to witness a moment where they can discover hope. This applies to both Dark Antagonists and Dark Protagonists; in fact, many Misunderstood characters serve as antagonists in the narrative. It’s crucial to provide depth to our villains, not just our protagonists. After all, if a villain is entirely evil, they become a one-dimensional character, but if we catch a glimpse of goodness within them, it breathes life into the villain. With misunderstood characters, it’s all about that moment when the clouds clear, revealing a sliver of hope, even if the outcome ultimately leads to disaster.