Jan 02 2012
Please Don’t Write a Story *About* Superpowers
Instead of a story about superpowers, please write a story about characters who have them. The superpowers are just a means to an end (a dramatic plot and interesting characters). Rather than worrying too much about the superpowers themselves, which I think is usually a waste of time, please worry more about the characters and the plotting, which ultimately matter a lot more. Specifically:
- The characters’ personalities and key traits. (Red flag: the synopsis for the book spends more time covering the character’s superpowers than their personalities).
- Their goals.
- Their unusual decisions. What are some things the protagonists do that most other protagonists wouldn’t do in the same situation?
- Their voices.
- The scenes the characters use the superpowers in.
- Secondarily, any unique touches on your superpowers and how you portray them.
