October 10, 2015. Welcome to the tenth day of my October Blog Challenge on preparing to write your novel. Those who are just arriving, please check out the earlier posts on this challenge, as the exercises/ reflections build on each other. To find out what this challenge is about, read my original post HERE.
The fifth significant character to consider in your novel, is the protagonist's mentor. Not every novel has one, but this is a standard character for a "Hero's Journey" kind of novel or for a YA or coming-of-age novel.
Generally, the mentor's role is to help your protagonist succeed in his journey. The mentor cannot take the journey for the hero/heroine, but he/she is as committed to the goal as the protagonist, even though he/she can only advise and help. (Think of Gandolf in Lord of the Rings, Hamish in Hunger Games)
1. Who is your protagonist's mentor? Describe him. How does her appearance and personality contrast to the protagonist's? What do these differences between them reveal about your protagonist and about your mentor?
2. Why does the mentor need your protagonist to succeed?
3. When, and in what ways, will the mentor help your protagonist? What skills or experience does he have that your protagonist will need to succeed?
4. When and in what ways is the mentor unable to help your protagonist; in other words, what are the mentor's weaknesses or failings? How is your protagonist still required to find the resources within himself to achieve her goal?
How will today's exercise enrich your story? See you tomorrow!
The fifth significant character to consider in your novel, is the protagonist's mentor. Not every novel has one, but this is a standard character for a "Hero's Journey" kind of novel or for a YA or coming-of-age novel.
Generally, the mentor's role is to help your protagonist succeed in his journey. The mentor cannot take the journey for the hero/heroine, but he/she is as committed to the goal as the protagonist, even though he/she can only advise and help. (Think of Gandolf in Lord of the Rings, Hamish in Hunger Games)
1. Who is your protagonist's mentor? Describe him. How does her appearance and personality contrast to the protagonist's? What do these differences between them reveal about your protagonist and about your mentor?
2. Why does the mentor need your protagonist to succeed?
3. When, and in what ways, will the mentor help your protagonist? What skills or experience does he have that your protagonist will need to succeed?
4. When and in what ways is the mentor unable to help your protagonist; in other words, what are the mentor's weaknesses or failings? How is your protagonist still required to find the resources within himself to achieve her goal?
How will today's exercise enrich your story? See you tomorrow!
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