Tuesday, July 19, 2022

3T Writing Tidbit

I think I've discussed this before but it bears repeating. Your hero has to be someone the reader wants to spend the next 300 pages with. And they have to be that someone within the first couple pages. (These days, the first couple paragraphs.)

The easiest way to create that bond is via empathy. Think about the things that draw us to a person in real life.

  • They're funny.
  • They have an amazing ability to do the job like no one else can.
  • They're hit by undeserved bad things.
  • They're kind or generous or big-hearted.
  • They're loyal or courageous.
  • They only want to get along (pay the rent, do their job, things we all have to do).
  • They have feelings we all have (but expressed so vividly we can't help but feel for them).

You can probably think of tons more. Give 2 of these to your character and see what happens!

Published since 2009, over the years I've accumulated various items of writing wisdom. The Third Tuesday Writing Tidbit showcases these items in no particular order. Click here to see all 3T Tidbits.  

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