What I want vs what I like

Hey there everyone!

Recently have been struggling between what I want for an story and what I like.I want a character that isn't special but fights for every ounce of power/achievement

But mind keeps trying to make her special :/ (princess,chosen one ...). I want her to be dark skinned (mexican like) but in my mind she is blond...

It's kinda funny...I can't agree with myself . I wonder if someone relates/could advice me

edited 3rd Jul '12 11:26:11 PM by FallenLegend

It sounds like you need to Murder Some Darlings (MURDER THEM). Ask yourself what would be better for the story: would it be more interesting to make the heroine normal or special? Blond or black? Is her ethnicity even important to the story?

I agree up until that last sentence. Ethnicity doesn't have to be important to include it.

FL: Well, she could bleach her hair. It's not uncommon.

edited 4th Jul '12 7:53:21 AM by MrAHR

thank you guys great advice, lol bleach

I don't see why you can't do that and make her realistic. Being tenacious and determined in pursuit of ones goals is something that can apply to anyone. Obviously you might have to remind yourself to keep the character grounded, meaning she has to work within her skill set(if she has to develop some kind of special skill to make her plans work, there's nothing wrong with that, but make it seem feasible for the situation). And more importantly, remember to reflect on sacifices and flaws that go along with her actions, goals and skills.

For example, a person who will fight for every bit of power can easily end up alienating people who might have otherwise been friends and allies, because she'd rather use them as ladder rungs or tools for her own benefit then see them as actual people. If you're going for a villian or anti-hero, this could be the route to go.

If you're going for the more heroic version, then that quest for power would be structured in a more positive way, by helping others so she'd have people willing to aid her in her goals, or find others who have common cause.

Ask yourself: Why does your character want to accomplish this goal, how important is it for her and just what methods is she willing to go to achieve these goals? Even more important, what is she NOT willing to do? Where is the line she won't cross, no matter how badly things turn against her? Is there a line at all?

Believe me, I've though a lot about this question, because the last two years for me have been heavily invested in learning character development, both via research and slowly working through the key character in the story and making her seem as realistic and empathic as I can make her considering the circumstances. The challenging part of this that the story is written from a first person POV and not from the viewpoint of this character.