Nov 03 2009
How to Write Distinct Characters
Your readers have probably read about heroes with any given positive trait, particularly if the trait is commonly associated with a protagonist in your type of book. (For example, a detective is almost always more cunning than a barbarian). However, this is not inherently problematic. If you’re writing a detective story, your protagonist is probably (at least somewhat) cunning because it wouldn’t be much of a detective story if he just bumbled through it Magoo-style. It’s not a problem that he’s cunning as long as you do something else to make sure that he feels fresh.
1. One way to make a character with a conventional trait (like a cunning detective) and take the trait so far it almost becomes a flaw. For example, Captain Kirk is so brave he’s reckless, Charlie becomes so smart he’s alienated, many lawyers are so slick they’re oily, etc.
