Recently, I read that your hero and/or heroine should have a fear, but not just the fear of dying. Most of us have that. This should be something unique. Something that shows the reader a different side of the character and plays a part in the plot. Interesting, in theory, but have you really read a story like that? I can’t think of one. Of course, that might just be me. Or maybe I was so into the story I never noticed…
What about you? If you’ve read novels that show the protagonist’s fear, what was fear did the author use and how? Was this a way to illustrate another side of the character? Was it a part of the plot? Did you feel it was necessary?
Would you use fear as a character development tool? What fears do you feel are appropriate to use in novel writing?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I haven't heard of this, but maybe they mean like the character's wound? For example, the hero is a cop who tried to protect his partner during a shootout but he made a mistake and the partner was killed. So now his "fear" is that he'll fail to protect someone else he cares about, so he avoids that by not letting himself get close to anyone.
ReplyDeleteMost often, my characters are afraid of trusting, of love, of being alone...fears that have been brought on by something in their past, or are triggered by something that happens in the present. I can't think of any books I've read where the character *hasn't* had a fear of...something...to overcome, because without fear there's only contentment. And in contentment, there is no story. Even jealousy is a fear of losing something or someone...guilt is the fear of being "found out". Fear is what makes us human, and what forces us to either grow, or miss out on opportunities.
ReplyDeleteSo yes, every one of my characters is motivated by some sort of fear. Physical fears, sometimes, but emotional fears, always.
I think at some level, there is always a fear in the conflict of a novel. For instance, I recently read The Hunger Games. The main character never mentions what she is specifically afraid of, but in the background, she's afraid of never seeing her family again. She's afraid of killing someone else. She's afraid of the rules and society she has to live with.
ReplyDeleteIt's really no different from real life. We are all motivated to some extent by something we are afraid of, even if it is only fear of failing or disappointing someone. We don't have to wear it on our sleeves for it to move us.
I can see that. I think we all have fears, characters included, whether it's spelled out plan or not.
ReplyDeleteI just read The Lovely Bones. One character was afraid of letting go, another of forgetting. One, afraid of reality, and that led her to drink (to my mind).
In my current WIP, my protagonist is afraid of letting her guard down. It's not spelled out like that, but it's wrapped up in who she is, and therefore, the plot.
Great post, Lynnette!
Plain. That should say "whether it's spelled out plain..."
ReplyDeleteLike your other, wise commenters have said, I think the fear they're talking about is more an unconscious motivation rather than a phobia. That fear is the obstacle that makes character growth difficult for your protagonist, but the story's main problem usually can't be solved until the character growth has occurred.
ReplyDeleteI think my MC's fears do drive her, BUT I haven't sounded them out for the reader. maybe it's time???
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, of course! *smacking forehead* I was thinking more along the lines of phobias, but you guys are totally right. Yep. I've read tons of novels (and written some, too) where the characters have these types of fears.
ReplyDeleteLynnette Labelle
Well, my current MC is overcoming her party girl reputation and has been with a lot of guys while high or intoxicated, but has never done the whole flirting, dating getting to know you stuff.
ReplyDeleteShe's really scared when a guy walks up and asks for her number (actually she's confused at first then really freaked). So they whole emotional connection, getting your heart broken is scary to her.
I know that's just like so many movies but could be considered a character fear.
Crap! I need to...oh, no wait. My MC's are just like me--afraid of just about everything! They aren't superheroes who run toward every danger with eyes open. No, my MC's are pretty much convinced they are screwed from the get-go and are afriad of EVERYTHING. Including clowns and heights and things like that which can make a character so deep, and obnoxiously funny. But, that's just me, reflected in my characters.
ReplyDeleteI've never really expressed fears as outright information-more like their fear in the situation. They might have little bits of discomfort here and there with everyday things (like maybe mustard on a hot dog?) but it is an interesting concept. It gives the character more definition, makes them seem more real to show their weaker side.
ReplyDeleteI think the "fear" is the character's motivation - like Roni said, the "wound." I know in THE HUNGER GAMES, Katnis' fear was not keeping her sister safe. She did everything to make sure Prim wasn't killed.
ReplyDeleteI can't think of any where the characters had a real clinical fear either. But I've always wanted to write a book with a character having Alektorophobia (fear of chickens). Just because I love that word and I have a niece who might just have this illness. Hee, hee. Maybe some day I'll find the right book for it...
ReplyDeleteI think a lot of weaknesses are really fears in disguise. Pride can be the fear of failure, shyness is a fear of rejection, etc. I think they just get presented in ways that don't say "I'm afraid!" Does that make sense? It's an interesting concept.
ReplyDeleteMy mc, Nakine, is afraid of not having the money needed to sustain her and her family, but I never come out and say it. In fact, I portray her in every aspect to be a strong and courageous type with a weakness for money.
One of my characters (a woman) is afraid of being always left behind while her husband and the other men have their adventures.
ReplyDeleteAnother is afraid of death, in the sense that he doesn't want a family to grieve for him because he is in a dangerous profession. So he's not really afraid of death itself, but of the effect it would have on his loved ones. So he avoids emotional attachments.
Another is afraid of never being noticed by the man she loves.
Another is afraid of being alone in his old age.
Another is afraid of losing his best friend, to the point that he betrays him in order to save his life from an enemy.