Beth Rodgers's Blog: A Fresh Perspective: A Blog by Beth Rodgers, Author of "Freshman Fourteen" - Posts Tagged "subjective"
Heroes vs. Villains
An interesting topic to consider in writing has to do with heroes and villains. When one writes a villain, that person does not necessarily have to be evil incarnate. A villain is not always cruel in an obvious way. Villains may be good people who are misunderstood for any number of reasons. Likewise, heroes do not have to be perfect and untainted. They can be strong, mentally and/or physically, without knowing how to channel that strength into action. Heroes can be defeated while villains triumph, and vice versa.
When we are children, we are often asked who our heroes are. Oftentimes, after considering superheroes and other potential heroic figures, children say their parents are their heroes. Parents may not have superhuman strength or the ability to see through walls. They may not have conquered armies or led a movement for change. Yet, they hold a place in their children's hearts as heroes. They are there for them. They care for them. In this same token, a parent can be a "villain," in that they may not be around, or they may punish too easily and cause their children to cast them in a villainous light, despite the parent not intending to become such a figure in their children's eyes.
So, you see, heroes and villains are subjective. The way they are perceived makes the difference in how they are written by different people who have different agendas at different times in their lives. If they were objective, we wouldn't be able to develop them with as much depth and emotion. We wouldn't be able to subtly express how character growth is a natural part of being human, whether in reality or even in fictional writing.
What are your definitions of heroes and villains? Are there any overlaps in your thinking about who they are and what issues they have that can affect both themselves and others? Sometimes considering this overlap can bring about greater focus, as including some of another person's strengths or faults in someone who normally does not display them may provide the best form of character development.
Beth Rodgers is the author of Freshman Fourteen, a young adult novel. You can visit her website at www.BethRodgersAuthor.com.
When we are children, we are often asked who our heroes are. Oftentimes, after considering superheroes and other potential heroic figures, children say their parents are their heroes. Parents may not have superhuman strength or the ability to see through walls. They may not have conquered armies or led a movement for change. Yet, they hold a place in their children's hearts as heroes. They are there for them. They care for them. In this same token, a parent can be a "villain," in that they may not be around, or they may punish too easily and cause their children to cast them in a villainous light, despite the parent not intending to become such a figure in their children's eyes.
So, you see, heroes and villains are subjective. The way they are perceived makes the difference in how they are written by different people who have different agendas at different times in their lives. If they were objective, we wouldn't be able to develop them with as much depth and emotion. We wouldn't be able to subtly express how character growth is a natural part of being human, whether in reality or even in fictional writing.
What are your definitions of heroes and villains? Are there any overlaps in your thinking about who they are and what issues they have that can affect both themselves and others? Sometimes considering this overlap can bring about greater focus, as including some of another person's strengths or faults in someone who normally does not display them may provide the best form of character development.
Beth Rodgers is the author of Freshman Fourteen, a young adult novel. You can visit her website at www.BethRodgersAuthor.com.
A Fresh Perspective: A Blog by Beth Rodgers, Author of "Freshman Fourteen"
Check back often for tips on writing, including ways to deal with getting past writer's block, as well as posts by the characters of "Freshman Fourteen," Beth Rodgers' new young adult novel.
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