Writing Forum

Okay, then let me ask this. Why do you need to write about geniuses, great heroes, et al? The reader only needs to see that the character cares. He will follow the story of any character, good bad or indifferent, if he's struggling with a problem and doing everything he can right at the moment, to fix it.

As you follow along with his story, bear in mind his motivation and the immediate stimulus his environment gives him. If he punches somebody, make sure to show that he thinks punching will serve a purpose, specifically his purpose. Then, show exactly what he (heard, saw, smelled, etc.) that triggered him to do exactly that. Then edit out or skim over the boring stuff- where he's not struggling against fate. Eventually, he'll either have a breakthrough or the bottom will fall out. End of story.

Right now I've got an uncut gem of a piece that came up in a rush write. Heroine becomes conscious in a park, wearing medieval armor and carrying a mace. But it's a modern park. She doesn't have any memory. She hears a scream, and children are running from a walking skeleton. What to do? Wouldn't matter if she fights, runs, or just sits there agape fancying it a show, so long as she's not blasé about it. Hero, villain, or idiot, either way it's a story. Unless she just doesn't care....