More writing tips and a bit of fun:

OK so today I thought it might be fun to talk about heroes and villains. Well the truth is that most people don't really like to read a super-hero arch-type when they pick up the novel. If they wanted that... they'd pick up a comic book. What I should really say here is that people want a character that the reader can relate to, which is why even Superman has kryptonite.

It is important to give a main character some weaknesses or frailties. Why? Because that tends to create a charter that people can relate to. Hence the rising popularity of anti-heroes. Now you don't really have to go that far or even make your hero a vigilante or a weakling or any thing like that, one lingering fear or the flashback to the time they did something wrong will work. Everyone has flaws. AND the thing that keeps a novel interesting to me the reader is that you have a hero that I can safely understand and back. Also if a hero is too perfect I am not going to be able to believe in him in the least, at which point I will get bored and put down your book.

Now you are probably saying to yourself “Damn Angel, if he's just some random guy like me, why should anyone follow him?” That's exactly why! That seems very difficult doesn't it? People argue with you right now, don't they? Me too. However if the cause is just they will follow just the same. The cruelest person on the planet likes to think of him/her self as just. So the cause your hero is facing must be somewhat righteous.

“Wow Angel, that's hard. How do you do that?” well simple.... make everyone hate your villain to the extent that they want to see him get his pay back. No matter how you may feel about politics and politicians, if someone destroys your homeland, and your homeland wants pay-back, you will most likely get behind that cause. Like wise if your villain is abusing orphans or swindling old, homeless ladies that remind you of Nanna... he won't be very likeable. Most people follow a hero in order to:

1. feel heroic and

2. to see the villain get an ass-whooping.

Another good tip is that people want to learn a little info while they are being entertained, but they don't want to become bored either. People don't want to read a fact sheet or take a crash course to understand your book. The best way to teach something in a novel is to let your reader learn it while the characters do. This is usually done with the insertion of lesser characters... in example... the private eye's snitch or the imprisoned scientist. OK so those are the tips today. Since they got so many page-views I might post a few more at a later date.

OK so since you've all been so very good... another bit of my silly side....

Things I don't get:

1. If people watch TV to get away from reality.... then why are there reality shows?

2. If zombies are dead, then why are they always hungry?

3. Is a pessimist a pessimist because he knows when he gets to heaven an optimist will be there?

4. If people who eat “gluten-free” products are allergic to grains, then what's in their bread?

5. Why do scientists spend half their lives proving something and the other half of their lives trying to disprove it?

That's my side of it

Angel xxoo

PS. I have a staff meeting tomorrow, so next blog will be the day after.