My Favourite Character Types

Before I get stuck into today’s post, I just want to make a quick announcement. Don’t get too excited…it’s pretty boring.

Here’s my announcement: When I started my blog, my aim was to post every Thursday. That’s not really working for me, I don’t have time between school, writing and life to post on Thursday anymore. So, I’ll be moving my posting day to Saturday. I realise that basically everyone posts on Saturday, but at the moment it’s the best I can do. :D. Thanks for sticking with me.

Okay, I had a pretty hectic Saturday, so I’m posting a pre-prepared one, which should hopefully be interesting, all about my favourite character types (original inspiration from Christine @ Musings of an Elf!)

(None of these pictures are mine)

1.    The character trying to escape their past.

 

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By this, I don’t mean the brooding bad boy stereotype, I mean the character who has done bad things, admits that and is trying to change, genuinely trying to change. However, there is something or someone continually reminding them of their past. They tend to be haunted, guilt-ridden and fearful, and so, so ready for a hug and some love.

Ren (from my own novel, The Blade of the Dragon. I love Ren so much, he’s my favourite character), Jean Valjean (from Les Miserables. You need a hug so badly, Jean), Fantine (from Les Miserables. Fantine needs a fellow girl to cry long and hard with), Hana (from Barefoot on the Wind. Hana is guilt-ridden over the death of her brother, which she believes is her fault. For a long time, she tries to ‘earn’ back her father’s love and forgiveness).

2.    The haunted, hunted, miserable and twisted character

 

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Closely related to the character trying to run from their past, but these characters usually don’t realise that there is a way to change. They give themselves up to the darkness in their soul and become so twisted that they don’t even look human anymore. And yet, you feel that if someone was just to love them unconditionally it would untwist their hearts and bring them back to the light.

The Phantom (from The Phantom of the Opera. Poor soul, the world showed no compassion to him.), Javert (from Les Miserables. Nothing can melt a heart of wood, unfortunately), Gollum (from The Lord of the Rings. Frodo was so, so close to bringing Gollum back to the light.), Erik (from the X-Men. One of my favourite villains of all time. I mean, poor Erik watched his mother, his wife and his daughter killed before his eyes. How could that not twist someone?) Loki (from Thor. Don’t we all secretly love poor Loki?).

2.    Girls who can look after themselves, but aren’t super tough and masculine

 

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One of my favourite characters tropes. These girls are tough, but not in a muscular way, they are strong, but often not physically. They can defend themselves, but they don’t feel the need to beat up other just to prove a point. These girls can be fiery and feisty, but also quiet and feminine.

 

Cinder (from Cinder. Cinder is a mechanic and she can defend herself, but isn’t overly “tough”. I love Cinder.), Cress (from Cress. I’ve only read the first chapter, but I love Cress already!), Eowyn (from The Lord of the Rings. Eowyn is pretty cool, even though I don’t agree with her decision to abandon her people, she is amazing.), Hana (from Barefoot on the Wind. Hana feels that she has to take the place of her brother, so she is a good shot with a bow, but really she is still feminine.), Rapunzel (from Tangled. I’m not a huge Disney fan but I do like Rapunzel and her femininity).

4.    Girls who are sweet, gentle, innocent and seem “naïve”, but really aren’t.

 

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There are those girls who are so gentle, compassionate and kindly that people write the off as being “weak” and “naïve”. They aren’t and they prove that they are just as strong and brave as everyone else.

Miya (from my own novel, The Blade of the Dragon. I love Miya almost as much as I love Ren), Christine (from The Phantom of the Opera. Christine seems, at first glance, weak and indecisive, but the more you get to know her character, the more you realise that she has suffered so much and has the power to show compassion to a man who is hideous both inside and out.), Cosette (from Les Miserables. Cosette is a lot like Christine, she’s suffered so much and yet she is still capable of loving so deeply.), Fantine (from Les Miserables. Others call Fantine ‘pure’ and ‘naïve’, they tease her for her modesty and kindness. They see her love for Cosette’s father as a weakness and laugh at her. But Fantine proves to them all she is strong and humble, and will literally give everything she has to save Cosette).

5. Men, who aren’t perfect, but are kind, humble and loving, the traditional heroes.

 

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There seems to be a shortage of these types of men in YA books. I don’t know why, but all the boys seem to be the brooding, dark type, arrogant and jerks. What is wrong with a love interest who is nice, kind and humble? These types never fail to make me fall in love with them.

Marius (from Les Miserables. He’s a bit of a klutz, he’s awkward and odd, but he’s kind at heart, compassionate, enthusiastic and whole-hearted), Raoul (from The Phantom of the Opera. Why do so many people want Christine to go with the Phantom? Much as I love the Phantom, I love Raoul. He can be a bit arrogant at times, but he truly loves and cares for Christine, just listen to All I Ask of You), Kai (from Cinder. Kai is a lot like Raoul, kind, occasionally arrogant—he’s the emperor though, he’s used to bossing people around—but self-sacrificial, and caring).

What about you? What are your favourite character types? Did I mention any of your favourite characters? Am I the only one who appreciates girls who aren’t “strong” in the physical sense?