Yesterday we talked about creating that sympathetic opening for our hero that helps the reader connect with him and forgive him (just in case he starts doing things like break the law…or people). 

What other elements does a Suspense Hero need? 

Competence.  Our hero has to be GOOD at something.  Maybe it’s not anything we see right away, but some skill that he uses to save the day.  See, everyone has something they are good at, even if they don’t know it and a great suspense brings this out.  It challenges the hero’s abilities at each turn, and yet in the end, it’s this hidden competence, or rekindled competence that saves the day.

In Eagle Eye, we see that our hero can talk fast to get himself out of a tight place…but by the end, he is also thinking fast.  He is also unsure of his ability to be a hero – but his brother always believed in him, and through the movie, we see this belief come to fruition until he’s exactly the hero, using his instincts he has in the beginning to save the day. 

In The Bourne Identity, we can see that Bourne is easily taught (he learns how to fish) and he is a survivor.  As the movie continues, he continues to be a survivor, bulding on his learning abilities to think on his feet.  Clearly, he can also handle himself – something he also learns quickly.  It’s these abilities that allow him to win the day. 

As evidenced by these two films, a hero might have qualities that he uses, or he might have abilities – but it’s key that they win the day by their competence, and not just luck.  (Although you can have elements of divine providence, as long as they are not too “God Saves the Day.”  J)

How do you show/build a hero’s competence?  I often give the reader a glimpse in the first chapter, even if they fail big.  For example, in Expect the Sunrise, my hero Mac knows in his gut that the guy he’s chasing is a terrorist, even if he looks like a fisherman.  And, although the Feds cover it up, he’s right.  However, to the public, Mac looks like an overkill agent. The truth is, Mac is an expert on terrorists, and especially those targeting the pipeline. So, when he sees signs that there is a terrorist on the airplane, he trusts in his belief. Even though the pilot, our heroine, thinks he’s nuts. 

Ask your hero:  What skills do you have that will save the day?  How can you hint at those skills in Act 1?

Finally, your Hero must have a Greatest Fear, something you will use to craft that climactic Black Moment Event.  We’ve talked about how to create this in previous blogs (by looking at the dark moment of his past, extracting from that a greatest fear, and then recreating it in the Black Moment Event). Often the greatest fear has something to do with his past, some dark moment, or his mistakes.  It’s exactly this greatest fear that you will make happen. 

For a suspense, however, the greatest fear needs to be more epic, more believable.  (We’ll talk about this more in a couple weeks, when we talk about The Event).  But when you are building a suspense, it helps to hint at the Greatest Fear at the beginning of the movie. 

For Jerry Shaw, in Eagle Eye, his greatest fear has already come true, to a much smaller effect.   He’s let down his family, and his father thinks he’ll amount to nothing.  The worst thing that could ever happen to him would be to be labeled a terrorist and disgrace his patriot family.  So…when that nearly happens…

For Jason Bourne, or anyone, his worst fear is discovering he was someone horrible. He actually voices this to Marie early on in the movie, as he goes to his apartment.  Of course, this comes true as he realizes he’s an assassin. 

Sometimes you can start a book with the greatest fear occurring.  In Expect the Sunrise, I did this with Mac. He feared that someone he loved would be killed because of one of his decisions. When his brother dies in his arms, this fear is confirmed.  You can also have the greatest fear happen to someone close to him, or have it be in his backstory, and have it dredged up because of something that happens.

The key to a Greatest Fear is that it has to be tangible, specific, possible, and compelling in order to use it for the Black Moment Event. Take a look at your GF – does it have all four elements?

We’ll be covering the Black Moment Event more in a few weeks.  For now, make sure your hero is sympathetic, competent and has a greatest fear. 

If you have any questions about creating Heroes, go to www.mybooktherapy.ning.com and join our Man Up! Chat discussion!

See you next week!

Susie May