Rules for Writing the Superhero

Hello! Today, I have another post for you by Ava Murbarger. This one is on the popular stereotype, superheroes. Enjoy!

Rules for Writing the Superhero by Ava Murbarger

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Five Steps to being the Superhero

1. You have a tragic backstory. You’re an orphan, or you lost your uncle, or your entire planet was destroyed. Whatever way, you started out with tragedy.

2. You’re gonna have a whole lot of conflict and drama to deal with, even more than a normal protagonist. The average protagonist has to get their life in order. You have to save the world. Have fun!

3. You get your own villain! Either someone annoyingly similar to you with all the same skills, or someone just the opposite. They’re sticking around for a long time, so get used to having them around.

4. You have to be heroic. Duh. Make a stand! Overcome difficulty! Protect! If you don’t, everyone is gonna be mad at you.

5. If you really want to embrace the trope, get a suit, get your trademark gear, be a massive athlete, be unusually smart and witty, and have a team of people that follows you around and causes more conflict!

Being a superhero is hard work. The world is on your shoulders, so no pressure!

Ava Murbarger is an aspiring Christian author who enjoys writing in a range of genres- from fantasy, to sci-fi, to contemporary- and loves stories with themes that ring true, even if they aren’t played out in a real setting. She lives in southeastern Illinois, in a town doing its best to become a city. When she’s not thinking up new stories to tell or mapping out strange worlds, she enjoys reading, worshipping on her guitar, and going to camp each summer. You can contact her at murbargerava@gmail.com.

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Who is your favorite superhero and why? Do they fall under any of these categories? Comment below!