How to Create the (Less Than) Perfect Hero

When we start out as writers, and we're in the first throes of creating our heroes, we can get a little power-mad.   

We have the ability to construct a man with washboard abs who is willing to use them to do our laundry.  He'll also listen to you—no, scratch that—he'll read your mind, so you won't ever have to ask him to stop at the store on the way home from a hard day rescuing kidnapped journalists in a third-world country.  He'll bring you a venti mocha and a pint of ice cream, while reassuring you that you don't look fat in those jeans.

Naturally he can go all night long. . .which is important when someone is reading your favorite book aloud to you.

Doesn't he sound perfect?  He is.  Because he's a fantasy.  He's not a heroic character. 

A hero is actually the vital link between fantasy and reality.  A hero has more of the fantasy characteristics that we dream about, but he also has the need, and the willingness, to grow into his awesomeness by learning and changing along the way. 

This is what will make him not only lovable, but readable.

So how do we go about making this kind of man?

Cindy R. Wilson, at The Writer's Alley blog, wrote a post titled "Tall, Dark and Wrong", where she discusses several things we can do to make our characters interesting, yet less-than-perfect.  Here's a suggestion I liked:

So if you know where you want your characters to be (spiritually, emotionally, etc.) by the end of the story, try to place your main character far from that at the beginning of the story.

What I like about this is you still get to go through the "Build-A-Hunk" process, picking and choosing all the attributes your hero will possess at the end of the story.  Only now you'll also tear off a corner of his heart, put a little ding in his stoic facade, and scuff him up with some issues he'll need to resolve. 

Think of it as going from Point A(fter) to Point B(efore). 

Once you know where your hero will end up, you have a much better idea of where he needs to start, as well as the challenges you need to create for him to face on his journey.

What methods do you have to take the perfection off your heroes?  Spill your secrets!  Give examples.  We're all taking notes. 

Comments

[Erin Kelly]

Ooo - this is a tough one! I really struggle with this one, because (of course) I want my hero to be lovable, despite his flaws. When I figure it out completely, I'll be sure to come back and repost, lol!

[Donna Cummings]

Erin, I know what you mean. I want everyone to fall in love with my heroes the way I do! I try to give him quirks that could be endearing, rather than annoying. And it helps knowing that he's going to be the "new and improved" version by the end. LOL

[Terri Osburn]

As you know, I'm not good at this. And I never think of myself as building a hero since my guys just sort of show up and introduce themselves, usually bringing their heroine with them.

I've struggled so with my current hero. He's perfect. A manicorn, as our friend calls him. He does have a phobia of sorts, which makes him a bit more human. Thankfully, the next hero up, Joe the charter boat captain, is full of flaws. He's stubborn and cranky and hides his mushy center well. I think he's going to be lots of fun to write.

[Donna Cummings]

Terri, I don't really "build" a hero either. LOL I think that's why I love writing, because it's like magic sometimes. My heroes show up, ready to jump into the story, and I can't help it that they're perfect!

It does seem to get easier with practice, like most everything in writing. I'm looking forward to reading about Joe. He sounds interesting already. :)

[Melissa]

Oh! I love the going from point A(after) to point B(efore) way of looking at things.

I think my method of working in my hero's flaws is something like an "I know something you don't know" thing with my hero. It's secret that he has to figure out and the poor guy doesn't even know he has a problem until it bites him in the you know what. :)

But I think my hero's flaw is simply that he he's a very traditional hero and he has that "fatal flaw" that comes with the package. Like the Greek hero, his fatal flaw is "hubris"; overestimating his own capabilities. This always gets him in trouble and the more visible flaws sneak in because he's, by nature, a bit of a control freak, even if he doesn't awknowlege it. He will also likely under estimates those around him -- including and especially the heroine. He has good intentions (of course he does or he wouldn't be heroic), but the big confict and resolution is usually when it finally dawns on him how his big flaw doesn't allow the one he loves, or even friendships exist as equal partnerships.

I don't think I actually figured that out though until your blog. :)

[Donna Cummings]

Melissa, your comments always make me smile! I'm glad I helped you work through your hero's journey. I'm fascinated by this guy actually, so I like the thought that I've helped him along his way. :)

Hubris is an intriguing concept too. It really does blind a character to his own nature, and they charge ahead trying to do the right thing, but causing even more catastrophes as a result.

Mmm. I think you've just given me some ideas about a heroine I'm working on! Her heart is in the right place, but she doesn't always consider the outcome of her choices until it is too late. I'm definitely going to ponder this some more!

[Maureen]

Hmmm. My heros sorta stroll into the pages with a fairly developed bit of fun matched with melancholy. All in all, I think, given a moment to think about it, that it comes down to pairing up traits.

Fun + Meloncholy
Luck + Disbelief in luck

Then I like to tinker around with that dance...it's all about the dance!

[Donna Cummings]

Maureen, I'm always fascinated how everyone does things. I think the pairing up of traits is a good one, since it gives them heroic qualities along with areas for growth.

And the dance is what makes it fun!

[Maureen]

I like to play with things that aren't quite opposite, but do tend to offer resistence to each other.

Like greed and honor. Pride and sincerity... Not totally at war, but certainly offering some dodginess.

[Donna Cummings]

Those are the kinds of things that keep heroes from being "too perfect", and give plenty of material for internal conflict. It's also great to put those pairings in different characters, such as the heroine, or even the villain!