Characters in fiction
James Thayer describes1 the following internal traits of heroes:
- they are kind when it counts;
- they are brave when they need to be;
- they are active, not passive;
- they are not fools;
- they are noble, or at least have a touch of nobility;
- they have the ability to grow.
- they have a weakness.
- they desire something desperately.
- they are quirky.
Thayer mentions two external traits that are important: hardship and the odds.
See also:
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James Thayer, The essential guide to writing a novel: a complete and concise manual for fiction writers (Seattle, Washington: Sacajawea Publishing, 2016). ↩︎