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By DiAnn Mills @DiAnnMills

Not all heroes are alike. Some are Superman or Superwoman types. Some are unsuspecting heroes who don’t look the part until they are challenged. Other heroes break the traditional view with the additive of anti-hero and dark hero.

An anti-hero is a character who doesn’t fall under the category of a hero or a villain. Although the anti-hero differentiates right from wrong, that doesn’t dictate their choice. Their actions, whether noble or ignoble, accomplish something that benefits them. They walk in the gray area of good and evil. Behavior may appear brave, courageous, and self-sacrificing, but a deeper look shows an untrustworthy character. The goal is self-serving, even if the outcome is good. The reader observes the anti-hero and sees admirable traits with the belief the character will eventually choose to be a hero.

The anti-hero wears gray, neither black nor white, and his actions depend on what will benefit him/her the most. Unfortunately, his selfish attitude may destroy him.

Anti-heroes:

Jack Sparrow in Pirates of the Caribbean

Michael Corleone in The Godfather

Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby

6 Tips for Writing an Anti-hero

1. Create a main character who is complex and can do good. Think of how you would write a traditional hero then toss in life experiences that alter the hero’s behavior.
2. Give your anti-hero internal conflict with a solid backstory. Who wounded them? Why haven’t they recovered? Why does inappropriate behavior seem like the right thing to do?
3. Discover what rules the anti-hero’s actions and thoughts.
4. Don’t confuse your anti-hero with the antagonist. The antagonist stands in the way of the anti-hero and will stop at nothing to reach their goal.
5. Show the anti-hero wrestling with right and wrong.
6. Show supporting characters who are sympathetic to the anti-hero and want to help him.

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In contrast, a dark hero is a character who lacks the traditional characteristics of an exceptional protagonist and is harder to like. This character may break the law for a cause greater than him/herself and demonstrate excessive violence. A dark hero isn’t concerned about who gets hurt, the violence, or the outcome used to reach their goal; it’s all collateral. A “dark” side prevails using evil to accomplish good. Their actions are often driven by personal demons, a desire for justice, or a need to protect those they care about. For example they might:

• Destroy a whole village to take out one bad guy.
• Slice up a bad guy and send the pieces to the rest of the gang as a message.
• Administer an experimental drug to inmates that could potentially kill them.

The character believes in the power of right but is misguided in behavior. Usually, this character wants no part in taking on a heroic role. Dark heroes can redeem themselves during the story and is where the term dark hero originated.

Dark Heroes:

Batman in The Dark Knight Trilogy

Raymond “Red” Reddington in The Blacklist

Logan/Wolverine in Logan

The anti-hero and the dark hero challenge the traditional protagonist.

Does your story use an anti-hero or dark hero? Do you see a purpose for either type?

DiAnn Mills is a bestselling author who believes her readers should expect an adventure. She weaves memorable characters with unpredictable plots to create action-packed, suspense-filled novels. DiAnn believes every breath of life is someone’s story, so why not capture those moments and create a thrilling adventure?

Her titles have appeared on the CBA and ECPA bestseller lists; won two Christy Awards, the Golden Scroll, Inspirational Readers’ Choice, and Carol award contests.

DiAnn is a founding board member of the American Christian Fiction Writers, an active member of the Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, Mystery Writers of America, the Jerry Jenkins Writers Guild, Sisters in Crime, and International Thriller Writers. DiAnn continues her passion of helping other writers be successful. She speaks to various groups and teaches writing workshops around the country.

DiAnn has been termed a coffee snob and roasts her own coffee beans. She’s an avid reader, loves to cook, and believes her grandchildren are the smartest kids in the universe. She and her husband live in sunny Houston, Texas.

DiAnn is very active online and would love to connect with readers on: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Goodreads, BookBub, YouTube, LinkedIn. or her website: diannmills.com