Q: My hero refuses to cooperate. He will only disclose bit and pieces about himself and it certainly inst’ about his dreams for his life. I do know his greatest fears. How do I get him to talk, or at least cooperate a little. Give me something to work with?

A: I love this question! Yes, those dark, silent heroes can be the quiet types! And getting them to talk might need a little prompting. Get him started by giving him an identity – something or someone he stereotypes. Then, you can ask yourself what kind of issues might this kind of person have.

For example, let’s say your hero is a forest ranger. But his identity is that of a hermit woodsman. Why? Maybe he prefers the quiet of the forest to the bustle of the city. Why? Maybe he grew up in the city, and hates the hurry of it. Or, maybe it has nothing to do with the city, but with the remoteness of where he works. Either one can raise more questions. If he hates the hurry, maybe he grew up in a socialite family, and is running from taking up the reins of his father’s business. (which then leads to more juicy questions). OR, maybe he likes the remoteness because…well, did he commit a crime? Or, did he lose someone he loved? Let’s say that yes, he DID commit a crime…like, uh, drunk driving, no, I hate that. Or maybe it was manslaughter! Yes, yes, it was manslaughter, only he didn’t mean to do it – he lost control of his car after working very late at his…uh, law firm, NO the ER! And he was so overcome with guilt because it was a young mother…or maybe a grandmother! Yes, he was so overcome with guilt that he gave up his residency and retreated to the woods.
Okay, I’ll get control of myself. But the ideas is to keep asking why, and naming possibilities until something glints in his eye and he says, well, uh, yeah…maybe you’re onto something….

Stop back tomorrow – I’ll be revealing some of the essential questions to ask your hero!

Thanks to all of you who submitted Ask the Doc questions! The winner for this month’s Ask the Doc’s Writing Book is Jean S! Stay tuned for next’s month’s Ask the Doc contest!