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Writing Exercise: How to Make a Hero (Mass Effect Edition)

What is your hero’s name (first, middle, last)?

Jordan Tybalt Shepard

Is there any significance to the name?

Of course there is.  The River, Jordan, ‘flowing.’  Tybalt, meaning ‘bravery.’

Heroes are traditionally courageous, because that is a virtue that appeals to readers.  Is your hero courageous?

Reluctantly so.

Did s/he start that way, or does s/he grow into it during the course of the story?

His dream life was to get married and live happily ever after, just like his parents.  Then he wanted revenge for their death and the destruction of his homeworld.  Now he is caught between these two dreams, and realizes that he will probably have to sacrifice everything so that everyone else can have their dreams.  He’ll do it, but he doesn’t like it.

Readers tend to lose patience with stupid or inept heroes, but will find certain kinds of character flaws endearing.  A hero should be resourceful when dealing with major challenges, but can be a klutz when it comes to romantic situations, for example.  How does your hero deal with challenges?

He deals with his challenges head on, but takes his shots from a distance.  He sees the big picture, and frequently misses the little things.

Does your hero have a specific character flaw?

He’s terrible with people.  Easily distracted, has no idea how to talk to people, frequently messes things up because he has no idea how other people will react.

Readers like their heroes to be, well, heroic.  This means that the hero should have some special talent or skill.  What is your hero’s special talent?

He hears voices in his head.  They’re theoretically friendly.  Well, they’re helping him save the galaxy, anyway.  They also make him a supernaturally good shot.

Readers also like to feel that heroes are real people.  What makes your hero normal – does s/he have a day job, for example, or does s/he go to school?

He’s a Spectre.  He’s also a musician, and plays guitar.  He used to be a rock star, but he gave it up to join the Alliance.  None of which is very normal, really.

Last question: Heroes uphold an ideal (even anti-heroes).  That’s why heroes were created.  What drives your hero?

Love.  Love of family, friends, everything.  For the longest time, it was an impersonal thing for him.  He wanted to see it, but always assumed that real love wasn’t for him.

What does s/he find important enough to fight for?

A certain dark-eyed, dark-haired, dark-skinned biotic with warm hands and a wonderful voice who refuses to listen when Jordan tries to push him away but listens to everything else he says.

Is this something s/he’s always held as an ideal, or does this realization come to her/him during the story?

Up until the last minute, he always thought True Love was a lie.  He has since realized that this is incorrect, and that True Love exists.