I hope you’re having fun finding all the flaws in your hero. C’mon, really, it’s okay. You’re not saying you don’t love him! Just being….realistic!

For example: We still love Braveheart, right? And Wesley (from the Princess Bride), and of course, Benjamin Franklin Gates (National Treasure!)

And they’re all flawed.

Really.

Take Braveheart. Having witnessed his family being killed when he was a child, he has a little problem with authority. Of course, this makes him rebellious, and instead of obeying the rules, he pushes against the system, which means he has to hide out as an outlaw. Of course, this also means that he’s not around when his woman is killed. He’s got serious revenge complex, and while yes, that’s what the story is about, it surely doesn’t make for successful long term relationships.

But we love him anyway.

What about Wesley? The Dread Pirate Roberts! Poor guy was…”poor, and having no prospects, he went off to make his fortune.” Of course, his flaw is that he never told his woman that HE WAS ALIVE. Why? Pride, perhaps. But he doesn’t make that mistake twice…next time when he promises to show up, thanks to Miracle Max, he does. Yes, it’s a minor flaw, but it certainly sets up great tension.

And then there’s Ben Gates (can you tell I have a little love affair going with the NT movies? So cute!) Ben’s family is obsessed with finding treasure…to the detriment of their reputation. So, Ben’s a bit tight-lipped about letting people in on the plan, just in case he’s wrong. He also has a “I’m always right” complex, something that yes, pans out, but irritates everyone around him, and while he successfully coerces people into following him, it isn’t without repercussions.

But he’s just so cute with that winning smile, we’ll forgive him.

So, see, you can love your heroes, even with flaws.

The point is, however, that their flaws can be used to not only illuminate their past, and allow the heroine to help them grow, but ALSO as a plot point to drive the story forward.

And forward is where we want to go on our hero’s journey!

Tomorrow we’ll be analyzing your examples…and then stick with me for one more week of HERO chat…and then we’ll jump start our man on his journey!

It’s not to late to send me your examples (and be entered in the drawing to win a copy of The Sovereign’s Daughter!). Mail them to: booktherapy@susanmaywarren.com.

See you tomorrow!