We’re back to the fairytale and the indomitable hero. If you want to read what Tolkien says about fairytales, have at it. Here’s a link. If you pair it down to something akin to a Happy Meal, shot me an email! I’d like to read it.

As much as I appreciate Tolkien’s exegesis on the fairytale, and probably his brilliance far above my own, I can’t get into the long details and descriptions.

It’s like a doctoral study. I need a Ph. D.  handed to me when I’m done reading it.

So, I have to go with a more modern and brief description of the fairytale hero.

Let’s recap from the web site Den of Geeks about heroines:

“We don’t care who they are, or what it is that makes them interesting. They can be thin, or not. They can be beautiful, or not. A bit divvy, or not. They can be brave or clever or French or irritable or really into papier mâché or fly fishing… or not. Whatever. We just want our film heroines interesting. Please, before you give them a suit of armour and a sword, give them a personality.”

Here, here. So let’s retool it for heroes. We want them to be interesting. But before putting our hero in a fight or saddling up a white steed and riding him through battle, give him a wound, a lie, a fear, a secret desire, a story goal.

Give him a heart! We love strong men with heart. Even a Beta male character — not an Alpha Male — can be both strong with heart.

Give your hero a story to tell.

Here’s a few things to avoid:

1. A Maudlin Hero. No one like a morose guy wearing all his self pity on his sleeve. Yes, your hero must have some kind of flaw and struggle because stories are about overcoming struggles and coming to truth. Don’t make him too apologetic or too “I’ve evaluated my life and now I see how I need to change.” No one comes to change that easily. Let the dude wrestle out of his old skin into his  new.
2. A Perfect Attitude. No one is perfect, especially heroes. We don’t have many examples of fairytale like heroes but the Beast certainly didn’t have a good attitude. It’s why he was trapped in his beastly body. Prince Charming, in Cinderella, was a reluctant son. He didn’t want to do his father’s bidding. He would’ve never attended the ball if it’d not been sprung on him. He was about to make his escape when he saw Cindy come into the ballroom. So, don’t make your hero too perfect. remember, he is attracted to the heroine, but resisting it from some very good reason you’ve invented.
3. A Rude Dude. I see this a lot. Trying to make the hero manly and he ends up being rude. Don’t do that. He’s flawed, weak but not rude. Read your dialog out loud. Does he sound rude? Or abrupt? Even a little bit will sound magnified to a reader. But, if he’s a bit snippy or testy, give him a reason.

So now that we no not what to do with fairytale like heroes, let’s look at what we should capture about them.

1. The Supernatural. There is always something supernatural, other worldly, about fairytales so make sure you hero has some kind of super power. The Beast is a man trapped inside the body of a beast. Symbolic of his crusty heart. Photogen in Photogen and Nycteris is an amazing hunter. That’s where he gets his confidence. In the end, it’s how he wins the day and defeats evil. What can your hero do that makes him “win the day?
   What trait does your hero have that no one else has in the story? What can he do that is uniquely his? It doesn’t have to be complicated. Just unique. Consider the attributes of your hero and figure what super power will get him through the story. What will cause him to overcome in the end and see the truth. Tie his super power to his story journey. He believes with his heart’s eyes.
2. Strength. Fairytale heroes demonstrate some kind of strength. In Sleeping Beauty, the prince hero fights the dragon to save Beauty. Photogen fights the evil witch that has imprisoned him and Nycteris. This strength is part of the hero’s charm, and perhaps a trait he are not aware they posses until love has consumed his heart. Show us he’s strong by his actions. Maybe he’s not even really aware of it. It’s instinctive to him.
3. Humility. All fairytale heroes must be humble. He is not self-seeking.He can be larger than life, like a Mr. Darcy, or Prince Charming, but he must exhibit humility. If not early on, then soon enough. Show he has a heart. Ultimately, he must lay down his “life” for the heroine. Not literally die, but give up his pride or who he thinks he is and surrender to love that requires a whole heart. Jesus is the ultimate hero.
4. Love. A fairytale hero believe in love. He craves it, wants it, dreams of it, looks for it. But love must be genuine. Sincere. Worth giving up his independence and identity for. He believes in Happily Ever After. His wounds cannot keep him from love. Obstacles cannot keep him from love. A fairytale hero conquers the dragons and obstacles to win love.

Let’s look at a few heroes with fairytale like qualities:

Mr. Darcy. The strong silent type. Slightly stubborn. A defender of honor, yet so very careful with his own heart. He wants a woman of substance, then when he meets her he’s not prepared to take her on. She challenges his heart, his values, his opinions. It’s not going to be easy to live the the type of women he wants. But he pushes through and finally realizes he must go for the one he loves. In the midst of that, he uses his super power — his wealth and connections — to save the youngest Bennett girl from  her foolishness. Well done, Mr. Darcy!

Drew Paxton. The Proposal hero is enduring an overbearing strong, determined, cold and distant female boss. Why? Because he knows what he wants. Heroes do that. Endure for what they want. They want a future. A way to build a career, support a family. Achieve the dream. But we see Drew is also a bit wounded as he battles his father’s disapproval of his career choice. His choice is noble — to reach people with the written word — so he endures. He’s not a pushover. He speaks his mind. He’s a man who loves his family. So, even though he works for Margaret, we see a man who is carving his way in society.

Jack Callahan. While You Were Sleeping. Love this hero. He’s quiet, but not brooding. He’s honorable. Even when he’s falling in love with Lucy, he won’t do anything to steal her from his arrogant older brother. He is not jealous or vindictive. He works for his dad even though he wants to do something else for a living. You can depend on Jack. He may seem like a Beta male, but hold on now. While he’s not charging into Lucy’s life on a white steed, he is rescuing her from a very lonely life. Even at cost to his own heart. He’s humble. He doesn’t make Lucy choose between him and his brother because he loves her. “Love does not seek it’s own.” But in the end, Jack gets the girl. And what does he do? Fulfills her dream. HERO!

Take time to consider your hero. Step back and evaluate. Is he kind? Is he a victor or victim? What is he willing to do for others at his own personal sacrifice? What can he do that no one else can do?

Work these elements into your character. He’ll be stronger for it.

Happily Ever After Writing!

Best-selling, award-winning author Rachel Hauck loves a great story. She excels in seeing the deeper layers of a story. With a love for teaching and mentoring, Rachel comes alongside writers to help them craft their novel.

A worship leader, board member of ACFW and popular writing teacher, Rachel is the author of over 15 novels. She lives in Florida with her husband and her dog, Lola. Contact her at: Rachel@mybooktherapy.com.

Go forth and write!

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