Comments on: How to Unlock Raw Power & Write Stories Readers Love

By: Lydia E. Winters

Lydia E. Winters — Sat, 05 Aug 2017 14:53:53 +0000

Loved the post as usual, but I feel the need to point out that Squirrel Girl, as quirky as a character as she is, has actually become quite the fan favorite unlike the others you listed that I’d never heard of. She’s not the deepest character for sure, but she has succeeded in beating some of the Marvel universe’s biggest Villians. She goes to college and works (worked? I’m not sure) as the nanny for Luke Cage and Jesdica Jones. Personally my favorite part of her series was when she befriended a bad guy and just talked him out of destroying the earth.

By: What Becomes of the Broken-Hearted? Why Fiction Heals Like Nothing Else Can – Kristen Lamb

Fri, 04 Aug 2017 18:39:57 +0000

[…] we’ve been talking a lot about what differentiates the decent stories from the ones that gut hook us and don’t let go. In my opinion the truly superlative stories stand out in one way. We are not only […]

By: Steven

Steven — Wed, 02 Aug 2017 14:12:57 +0000

“tales of power for the powerless” – brilliant. Distilled, it really is that simple isn’t it. I’m editing a few scenes right now in my fantasy/ YA and finding where the protagonist and supporting characters shine is when in conflict with their flaws. They have and use their strengths as required, but the flaws keep tripping them up (except for one, but he doesn’t really have powers…)

thanks for the post!

By: Kristen Lamb

Kristen Lamb — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 02:00:59 +0000

In reply to Laura Barnitz. Great observation and I feel the same about Sansa Stark as well, LOL. I am all FINALLY you are NOT ANNOYING!

By: Laura Barnitz

Laura Barnitz — Tue, 01 Aug 2017 01:20:08 +0000

There are many ways to make a character seem powerful, but rarely does a female character resonate with me unless she is able to grasp the whole concept of power, especially her own, and demonstrate the capacity to decide how she will use it. Examples: Elizabeth Bennet, Jo March, Jane Eyre, Scarlett O’Hara, Eowyn, and Sansa Stark (Finally. I really did not like her character in the early seasons.).

If a female character doesn’t understand power or recognize her own power, she’s pathetic. If she understands but doesn’t use it except for her own personal benefit, she’s a villain. If she understands and uses her power for someone else or for a larger purpose, she might still be a villain but she could be a hero. Either way, her character will stick with you.

By: Writing Links 7/31/17 – Where Genres Collide

Writing Links 7/31/17 – Where Genres Collide — Mon, 31 Jul 2017 11:04:37 +0000

[…] https://authorkristenlamb.com/2017/07/how-to-unlock-raw-power-write-stories-readers-love/ Those who have great power and lose it or and those who find power at great cost. […]

By: Deborah

Deborah — Sun, 30 Jul 2017 09:10:20 +0000

A great article, well worth reading.

By: Mandibelle16

Mandibelle16 — Sun, 30 Jul 2017 02:23:11 +0000

I find the contrast between these characters having power or gaining it with the empathy we want the readers to have for these characters interesting. Also when you talked about modern super heros it makes me think of many ‘superlike’ heroes throughout literary history, how they often had ‘hubris’ or some kind of fatal flaw or background.

Iron man for instance, loves the spot light and being the hero that he almost loses Pepper due to his pride. Bateman in the Christian Slater ones, as much as he is a hero is the enemy, must b/co it for a Gotham to survive.
Way back when Beuowulf is a grand hero but he is subject to the infallibility of his character and that in the end fighting the dragon, there is only death for heros such as him. His immortality is through the stories left behind about his heroic deeds.

Again, interesting piece 🙂

https://mandibelle16.wordpress.com/2017/07/29/flash-fiction-for-the-aspiring-writer-open-link-poem-ottava-rima-the-captains-tale-poetry-flashfiction-dverse/

By: Elizabeth Drake

Elizabeth Drake — Sat, 29 Jul 2017 18:38:01 +0000

I was always a fan of Ra’s Al Guhl. Committed to the rescue of the planet because others wouldn’t. His methods….yeah. It’s why he’s a villain.

Interesting thought process, though, on what makes characters resonate. Seems to me to be why we loved Wonder Woman and I wanted my 2 hours back after Batman vs Superman.

By: Jessica Sneeringer

Jessica Sneeringer — Sat, 29 Jul 2017 13:39:38 +0000

This was thought-provoking and helpful. When I struggle with plot, or “where to go next” in my own WIP, I find articles like this help me to step back and see it from a whole. What rules can I emphasize? What rules can I break?