THE STORYTELLER’S MISSION WITH ZENA DELL LOWE

EPISODE 57 – 21 Heroic Character Qualities that You Can Reveal in Story

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EPISODE DESCRIPTION – This week, Zena Dell Lowe takes a detour from the current series on godly storytelling to revisit the noble or heroic character qualities that your main character ought to possess. For additional resources, listen to Episode 5 and Episode 7 of this podcast. You may also want to visit these two blog posts, recently published by Zena on The Write Conversation Blog -

21 Qualities of Heroic Characters:

1. Heroes must be able to think fast under pressure. 
2. They must be good at something.
3. Must be able to think outside of the box.
4. Make them stuff their personal issues for the good of others or the greater good.
5. No matter how bad it gets, they do the right things in the right way for the right reasons.
6. Give them something noble to believe in.
7. Make it cost something to win.
8. They must have mercy and compassion.
9. Make their mission matter (personal stakes are high).
10. Heroes must fight - so avoid self-pity at all costs.
11. They are willing to the hard thing, but they take no pleasure in it.
12. They show true remorse when they mess up.
13. Let them be afraid. 
14. Make them flawed and/or vulnerable.
15. Make them change.

BONUS MATERIAL:

  16. Give them a sense of humor.
  17. They have qualities in contradiction (internally struggling with two clashing ideals)
  18. Make them reluctant, but they feel compelled to act.
  19. Make them clever.
  20. Give them a profound sense of responsibility.
  21. Make them lead - heroes aren't followers.

UP NEXT - Next week, Zena will resume the series on godly storytelling by addressing other aspects of what might be appropriate, such as questions related to the use of "bad" language in story. Is it ever okay for a Christian writer to use swear words? 

THE WELL CREATIVITY CONFERENCE

Zena Dell Lowe is honored to be a Keynote Speaker at THE WELL CREATIVITY CONFERENCE, which takes place in Grand Rapids MI on April 22-23, 2021. She’ll also be teaching an acting/improvisational workshop for actors and writers called, “Make Me Believe.”  To find out more or to register to attend, CLICK HERE, or go to https://seeyouatthewell.net

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SPECIAL THANKS - The Storyteller’s Mission with Zena Dell Lowe would like to thank composer CARLA PATULLO

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