We Need a Hero! by Marie Higgins

What is the purpose of writing a story?  Any story no matter what genre.  What exactly are the authors trying to get you as a reader to feel?

First off, authors will create true-to-life main characters.  What does this mean?  This means that our main characters (hero and/or heroine) will have faults.  Our heroes will not be the perfect Prince Charming we have seen on the Disney movies, but they will have blemishes (usually more than one) in their personalities.  Sometimes they’ll have tough problems that seem impossible to overcome.  They will make mistakes along the way.  They’ll start to improve on their faults, but then something happens and they’ll stumble.  But, being the hero of the story, the character will always pick himself up and forge onward, ready for whatever stands in his way.  He doesn’t need a red cape and tights … or a magic sword that fights fictitious dragons, but he’ll do the best he can, and in the end, he will prevail and overcome.  He'll save the day. 

I know you’re agreeing with me so far, aren’t you?  Well, did you know this?  Writers create their stories to take you as the reader out of your everyday problems into an imaginary world.  It’s our job as writers to make you think of nothing else but the story and what’s happening with the hero and heroine, and if the villain is about to attack, or if the train is going to be robbed, or if the killer is hiding in the shadows just waiting for the exact moment to pounce on the good guy as he walks by.  We as writers want you to hold your breath in fear—or anticipation—or exhale a relieved sigh when all is well … for now, anyway. 

No matter what kind of story you read, everyone needs a hero.  Everyone wants a story that takes their mind out of their own problems and lets them pretend—if even for a day or two—that they are someone else.  That they are invincible.  That they are the man all women swoon over, or they are the woman all men fall over themselves trying to meet. 

Romance writers especially want their readers to fall in love with the characters so that they can experience once again (or maybe for the first time) what it feels like to fall in love, or what it feels like to lose someone and have their heart broken—only to have it pieced back together a few chapters later.  Every reader needs a happy ending!  And in my opinion, if you have read a fiction novel and haven’t received the happy ending that makes you smile or sigh with happiness, you aren’t reading the right genre!  

In today’s world, there are so many obstacles to overcome … so much heartache in the world … so much sadness over losing someone we love.  Why not put all of that pain on the back burner while we indulge ourselves in a great story?

Come on, I dare you.  Let an author be your hero!