Often referred to as “the dark night of the soul” in writing circles, lament often leads our characters to a moment of clarity about how the choices they’ve made and the experiences they’ve lived through have brought them to this specific moment in time. This key scene is crucial for the character’s transformation and ultimate victory. Read on to learn more about what lament is and the role it plays in the lives of our characters—and in our lives as well!
Category: The Writer as the Protagonist
In literature, the Romantic Hero is an eternal optimist. They somehow know how to turn even the most desperate situations into an opportunity and—to the outsider at least—may appear to rebound quickly from setbacks. In truth, they keenly feel every bump and bruise. They just stubbornly choose to believe that the heartache is worthwhile, that…
In literature, the Reclusive Hero is someone who tends to work in the shadows. They know what should be done and have a clear idea in their mind of how to reach their goals, but for one reason or another, they prefer to keep their abilities hidden or—at a bare minimum—do what they can to…
In fiction, the Reluctant Hero is a protagonist who recognizes they’re stuck in a rut (or unhealthy/unsafe situation) but has to be jolted or dragged out of their comfort zone at the beginning of the story before their true journey can begin. Even then, it takes them a while to fully commit to the journey,…
In literature, the Reckless Hero is someone who jumps into the fray with abandon (and often without a clear plan of action). The reckless hero doesn’t mind picking things up as they go along, but as a result, they may find themselves in a sticky spot because they’re not always the best at listening to…