Lesson Four - Developing a Hero's Past

By developing your hero’s past, you shape the present character and define the motives that drive him through the pages.
Together, we will learn how to capture the few, major experiences that stick and have established present character and circumstances.

First Thoughts

All of these tools apply to heroes and heroines.

What Did He Do?

The hero has a part. What did he do? And, why is important to know what the hero did?

Who Else Was Involved?

Most times, the hero wasn’t alone in his past. At least one other person was involved.

How Long Has it Been?

Generally speaking, the past didn’t happen five minutes ago. We usually refer to longer periods of time, such as months and years. There are two factors you should consider here.

Wounds and Vows, Joys and Promises

Vows and promises are two of the biggest factors that create your hero’s inner motives.

How the Past Affects the Present Story

You’ve spent all this time developing the hero’s past, but what about the rest of the story? How important is the past to helping story creation?

Another Scene to Write + Final Thoughts

Just let your imagination fly on the wings of truth and write what comes to mind. You’ve got this!

If you have any questions or want to share your thoughts, comment below!

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