The Hero

You have likely met thousands of heroes already. They get dragged out of their comfortable lives, shoved face-first into danger, and somehow emerge transformed.

Because readers have met so many heroes, you likely want yours to stand out. This recipe explores how “The Hero” archetype functions and how you can craft one that feels genuine.

Core Characteristics

The Hero typically shows courage in the face of adversity, and has a capacity for growth. They don’t start out perfect; their initial reluctance or inadequacy is part of the package. What matters is their potential to rise to the occasion.

Heroes are driven by a need to prove themselves, protect something they love, or right a wrong. This motivation gives readers someone to root for. When we see a character pushed beyond their limits and to find new strength, we’re witnessing the Hero’s journey in action.

Protagonists are not always Heroes (although it is rare in fiction for a hero archetype to be a supporting character).

While Protagonists drive the plot, the Hero Archetype specifically sacrifices something of value to achieve their goals. Other characters might fight alongside them, but the Hero carries the story’s resolution on their shoulders.

Strengths and Weaknesses

The Hero archetype’s strength lies in its universal appeal. Readers usually care about them from the start. However, when audiences anticipate every beat, the story can feel mechanical. The hero’s journey risks becoming a checklist.

Heroes can also become insufferably perfect if they lack genuine flaws—not cute quirks, but real limitations that create problems for our protagonist. Consider how Luke Skywalker’s impatience nearly gets him killed, or Katniss Everdeen’s trauma makes her difficult to be around, and sometimes cruel.

The Hero in Action

While certain heroes dominate cultural conversation, plenty of compelling examples exist beyond the usual suspects.

These characters all share the same blueprint; leaving home, facing trials, and growing, but the flavor of their heroism differs based on their motivations.

Archetype Combinations

Heroes rarely exist as pure archetypes. The most memorable ones blend the Hero with other archetypal energies.

You can learn more about blended archetypes later in the course.

Troubleshooting Guide

Even the best character concepts need a tune-up during the drafting phase. If your Hero feels “off” but you don’t know why, check this list for a diagnosis and potential fixes.

My Hero is too passive

The Hero is being dragged from scene to scene by the villain, the mentor, or the plot. They only react to things happening to them, rather than making things happen.

To counter this, try giving your Hero agency. Look at your current scene. Does the Hero enter with a goal, or do they wait for someone to talk to them? Rewrite the opening so they make the first move, even if it’s the wrong one. A bad decision is better than no decision.

My Hero is “too perfect”

The character is good at everything and struggles with nothing (also known as a ‘Mary-Sue’ or ‘Gary-Stu’ character). The story feels flat because there is no tension.

Counter this by allowing your character to be vulnerable. We connect with characters through empathizing with their struggles. Take their greatest strength and turn it into a liability. If they are brave, make them reckless. If they are a genius, make them arrogant. Let them fail in ways that have consequences.

My Hero is unlikable

Sometimes, in an attempt to be complex or to subvert expectation, the Hero comes across as rude, selfish, or cruel. The reader stops caring if they succeed or fail.

Your Hero doesn’t need to be a saint from the start, but there needs to be potential; we need to know why the Hero is worth supporting. Try giving them a “Save the Cat” moment early in the story. Show them doing something kind, or give them a moment of vulnerability so we understand that their rudeness is a defensive mechanism.

My Hero feels generic (The Cookie-Cutter Hero)

If the Hero relies on “default settings” (like the brooding warrior or the chosen one) without any unique flavor, they feel like a cardboard cutout.

The easiest way to combat this is specificity. Give them a goal or hobby that contradicts their archetype. A barbarian who loves knitting, or a hacker who wants to open a bakery (these are extreme examples to give you an idea). These human details ground the character.

My Hero is too whiny/reluctant

It is natural to be scared, but if your Hero spends half the book complaining about the quest, it becomes annoying.

Counter this by forcing your character’s hand. Make the cost of not acting higher than the cost of acting. They can still be terrified, but they should no longer be hesitant.