Frankly, my dear…Creating Unforgettable Characters
I hope you're finding time and energy while under quarantine to craft characters that resonate with you and readers. Need some inspiration? Here are some character themes I've noted in what we've watched in the Curtis household in the past month, with references to the psychological classifications from my book. Just one warning: we’ve been going dark with what we’ve been watching lately. After writing this post, I’ve realized I need to watch me some Jane Austen!
Heroes with a strong sense of justice. This is my husband’s jam and I think the streaming services know it, as they push notifications to him constantly. These guys have a code and they will do anything to honor it (the Punitiveness Schema in my book). So if you’re looking for an action hero on which to model your book hero, look no further than these handsome hunks!
· In the movie Spenser Confidential, Mark Wahlberg plays Spenser, a no-nonsense former cop who went to prison for beating up another cop who was physically abusing his wife. He’s determined to protect the underdog. Available on Netflix.
· Another Netflix original features Ryan Reynolds. 6 Underground features Ryan as “One” – the leader of a group out to fight for justice (without a badge).
· And yet a third Netflix original – The Witcher – features Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia, a solitary monster hunter who struggles to find his place in a world where people often prove more wicked than beasts.
Heroes making amends for past mistakes. I love flawed heroes, the ones who made a wrong choice in the past and carry guilt and shame (Defectiveness/Shame Schema). Luckily, there are plenty to be had on streamer services. It’s almost like they put out a call for this.
· In the series Hunters (Amazon Prime), Jonah (Logan Lerman) hesitated on the staircase as a stranger murdered his grandmother. His guilt drives his actions in the series as he uncovers Nazis behind his grandmother’s murder.
· In the series Daybreak (Netflix), high school hero Josh (Colin Ford) broke up with his girlfriend right before a zombie apocalypse. She called him begging to be saved before all cell phone service in L.A. goes dead. The external plot is driven by his search for her.
· In the series The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel (Amazon Prime, and a much lighter series), Joel Maisel (Michael Zegen) spends much of Season 2 & 3 trying to make amends to Midge (Rachel Brosnahan) for cheating and to prove to himself that he can make his dreams come true.
Have you noticed any heroes or heroines with a strong sense of justice or trying to make amends for past mistakes? I’d love to hear about them!
Does this interest you? If so, check out my writing craft book (chock full of conflict, character journeys and happily-ever-afters from movies and TV). Not sure if it’s for you? Sign up for my writing newsletter and receive a free workbook.
#writingcraft #moviewritingexamples #melindacurtiswritingbook