Thread by @Joannechocolat

This one's really interesting, and we haven't looked at it before. Let's try it. Follow #FlawedHeroes to collect them all!

https://twitter.com/GandorgPrime/status/1616789639938834432

1. The original prompt was about the hero's descent into villainy. I'm not sure a hero ever really becomes a villain as such, because those roles are so clearly defined and in opposition to each other, but the Hero's Descent is certainly a Thing. #FlawedHeroes

2. We see its origins in Classical tragedy, and beyond. A character who is basically good and noble is destroyed by their One Fatal Flaw. As readers we relate to this very well, because no-one believes or is interested in a perfect protagonist. #FlawedHeroes

3. As a writer, negotiating this downward journey without losing tension or alienating the readers can be a real challenge. Tragedy demands a high level of emotional engagement. You don't want your readers to disengage. #FlawedHeroes

4. Try plotting your protagonist's descent just as you would any other hero's journey. Draw a diagram. Decide where they're starting off, and where you need them to end up. The more dramatic the descent, the more exciting the narrative. #FlawedHeroes

5. As with any protagonist, you need to know the answers to the following questions: What do they need? Who do they love? What's their major challenge or obstacle? How can they overcome it? #FlawedHeroes

6. Make the stakes as high as you can. If you're charting a dramatic descent like this, the bigger the stakes, the better. #FlawedHeroes

7. You also need to ask yourself: What's your protagonist's moral breaking-point? What's the line they would never cross? Because if you're taking this person to the dark side, you're going to have to make them cross it. #FlawedHeroes

8. Once you're sure of the answers to these questions, you can start the journey. First, make sure your readers care for your protagonist. That could mean showing them interacting with loved ones, or putting them in a position of humour or emotional vulnerability. #FlawedHeroes

9. A descent into darkness requires putting your character under a lot of stress. Determine what their challenge is, and give them difficult moral choices to make. Make sure they're making those choices for reasons they think are noble and good. #FlawedHeroes

10. Keep the tension mounting gradually, and raise the stakes for them every time. One bad decision leads to another. Eventually, your character will cross the moral line they've drawn. How will they feel about this? How will it change their behaviour? #FlawedHeroes

If you enjoy these occasional threads, you might like to check out my book, TEN THINGS ABOUT WRITING. septemberpublishing.org/product/ten-th…