I discovered this fabulous blog about personality traits that the blogger admired and suggested people needed to acquire and it me to thinking about the attributes our heroes and heroines should possess.
1. Selflessness: Our heroes, embody this attribute. Whether protecting the innocent, guarding a heroine’s body, or listening with interest, we see the men and women in our books exhibit a selflessness that show a giving and generous nature.
2. Tolerance: In our heroes and heroines, this attribute tells the reader that these are the kind of people who understand that there are individual differences in all people. They understand that people are who they are and accept them for their quirks and idiosyncrasies at face value. Although, I would have probably labeled this one acceptance because I feel that it’s more appropriate, it still fits.
3. Genuineness: Showing our characters to be true to themselves and dismissive of the artificial makes for strong heroes and heroines. The author states “Having the ability to be real, authentic and honest is unique in a world where we put so much emphasis on the superficial. Feeling comfortable in one’s skin and being true to one’s self is one of the most beautiful traits one can possess. To have a REAL relationship with someone requires honesty…it requires hearing and giving input or feedback that may not always be popular…it means having the strength to tell it like it is and to not be afraid to face the consequences for doing so…it means loving people for who they really are…deep down…and not for what they appear to be.”
4. Sensitivity: Our characters have a wealth of this attribute. They cue into the needs of people around them whether they be friends, co-workers, or family members. Even our cop heroes are sensitive to the victims and to the people who have lost loved ones. It’s a requisite attribute that serves our characters well and endear them to our readers.
5. Integrity: An attribute that seems to be sorely lacking these days. The author says, “Call me cynical, but I think this characteristic is especially difficult to find. In a time when people will do things that are underhanded to make an extra buck (Bernie Madoff…can you hear me?), expose their personal lives to the public so they can be famous (balloon boy’s dad and any other reality TV mongers) and do what feels good in the moment without necessarily thinking of the consequences (Tiger Woods), integrity is a characteristic that is especially unique today. When a character sets a goal or makes a promise, you can be sure that they will follow through on it.
6. Humility: This is an attribute that loses it’s meaning if a person thinks they are humble. Many of our characters have confidence, for sure, but there is something about each one that shows that they are humble and if an author doesn’t, you can be sure that they will come to it over the course of the novel. Sometimes characters have something that they need to learn and we cheer them on as we read, looking for that transformation, that very human, “aha” moment when they discover what it is they’ve been searching for or striving for. That’s what makes them everyday heroes.
I know people like this and I have to say that they are some of the best people I have ever met. I want to interact with them every day. How about you? What are the attributes that you admire in others, or yourself. Which ones do you admire in your heroes and heroines that you’ve read about?
All the best,
Karen
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Very nice post, Karen!
Brenda
Thank you, Brenda. In this “disposable” society, it’s nice to know that people still feel strongly about these attributes. It’s also what makes our genre so very strong.
I just read a book where the hero and heroine possessed those kinds of traits…and it was a joy to read. I love those traits in the characters I read about. No don’t get me wrong, I do like the “bad boy” hero…but usually, deep down, they possess some of the traits that you mentioned.
Great post…I look forward to reading the comments on this one.
Kara – Ooooh, who doesn’t like the bad boy hero and those words together might seem discordant, but they’re not. This is a man who has been wounded by life, a man who has had his ideals sundered, but deep down inside has never let them go.
Oh tragic heroes are such the quintessential bad boy heroes to me Karen. I love them. They sometimes have more depth than most other characters because you want to know what makes them bad? Why they are bad? And you just wanna fix em, you know what I am saying? As long as they are not too malleable, they work for me. And, who says you can’t be bad and exhibit these qualities you point out here? Just think of what might have caused you to be so damaged, enough to dull the shine of the super hero symbol on your chest, and try to take cover under it all by being bad…yep, I am thinking of some real bad boy heroes now…Roarke anyone?
Peace and love,
Paula R.
Great post and all important traits. I also like a sense of humor in a character. One that can look at herself or himself and see the lighter side in the dark.
Kwana – Too true. I always strive to add humor to my novels.
I might add loyalty. It could be a part of the other attributes–integrity? Sensitivity? But it’s good to see people stick by others.
Hey Karen, I love them all. They are great qualities for people to have in general, not just heroes and heroines between the pages. I look for a lot of thes characteristics in people, and I am glad that I am able to find them. I am just hopeful that people can sense these same things in me.
Peace and love,
Paula R.