This week: Destiny Edited by: Lilith of House Martell  
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"You can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something - your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life."
~Steve Jobs
"It is not in the stars to hold our destiny but in ourselves."
~ William Shakespeare
It is in your moments of decision that your destiny is shaped.
~ Tony Robbins
Every man gotta right to decide his own destiny.
~ Bob Marley
"I can control my destiny, but not my fate. Destiny means there are opportunities to turn right or left, but fate is a one-way street. I believe we all have the choice as to whether we fulfill our destiny, but our fate is sealed."
~ Paulo Coelho
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Destiny, fate, and lot mean a future that someone or something will have. Destiny and fate both suggest that the future has been decided or planned by a higher-power or force. Destiny often suggests a future that includes something great and important.
So, how much thought do we give to the 'fate' of our characters? "Chosen One" characters can be quite simple, or complex. The choice is ours. While they’re most often associated with fantasy and science fiction stories, these characters can be found in almost any genre because they’re defined by a single core idea: destiny. They’re destined to overcome the conflict of their respective story, regardless of what that conflict is.
Here are a few examples:
 Thor is destined to wield Mjolnir
Harry Potter is destined to defeat Voldemort
Aragorn is destined to rule over men
Arthur is destined to become the King of England
Luke Skywalker is destined to restore balance to the Force
 When the protagonist is a Chosen One, the entire conflict of the story hinges on their choices, but it can also work the other way. Instead of making choices of their own, they do what they do because they’re the Chosen One, not because of personal motivation.
The protagonist's victory is predetermined, and without real hurdles to face, the story loses meaning and won't engage readers. We want to keep readers engaged in the story and root for the character to fulfill their destiny. An important thing to remember is to make them face the same tests and trials any other hero would have to face while thinking of them as more than just a trope.
Things to keep in mind when writing a 'Chosen One' story:
 Give them real struggles and weaknesses.
The hero needs to earn their victories. Nothing great is ever accomplished without putting in some real, hard work. The same goes for the character. The protagonist needs to face physical and emotional challenges that make them wonder if they’re capable of fulfilling their destiny.
If the character comes off as invincible, readers never wonder if they could be killed or defeated. So, how will readers stay interested in the story if they don't see the character going through some hardship or even near death?
Questioning the journey.
As described in the previous section, don't let the character's journey be easy-peasy. Make them question why they are on this journey - they may even feel compelled to give up at some point. Maybe the protagonist wants more from life and has periods where they feel trapped by a destiny they didn't choose. This will likely resonate with readers because most of us have felt that same way and thought 'why me?'.
Why does the Chosen One matter?
It's important that readers never wonder why and how this character matters. Give the readers a little insight so they can secretly urge the character forward.
Some things to consider here are:
 Why does your protagonist have to be the Chosen One?
What's unique about the character makes them the only one capable of succeeding in that role?
How do their powers or destiny influence their choices and behavior?
Supporting Roles
Some of the secondary characters will end up playing key roles on the path of your protagonist.
Since we already have the path laid out for our Chosen One, having a cast of characters with their own subplots and goals can infuse the story with some extra tension where the protagonist may not provide it. Our readers can root for them and become invested in their journeys because their outcome is less certain. This will be especially evident as we write the climax of the story.
A touch of uncertainty.
We've been discussing how your Chosen One is destined to succeed. They’re being pulled forward by fate to a predetermined outcome, so there’s no doubt about their eventual victory. They’re special, they’re the hero, and no matter how difficult the task may be, they will come out on top.
However, what if this victory wasn’t so assured? What if, despite their Chosen One status, they and the readers had to wonder if they might be defeated after all? Just like any other protagonist you might write, your Chosen One needs to face true challenges on their journey. They need to have moments of defeat and times when they question their own abilities. Of course, because of their chosen status, this requires an equally powerful opposing force. I know I've mentioned this a couple of times already, but it bears repeating, I think.
When the conflict is finally resolved, it sticks with us far more than it would have if it were a sure thing right from the start, Chosen One or not.
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| | Temptation (E)
A swing tempts an old person to a last fling of youth. Winner of Personify Writing Contest
#2293632 by Beholden  |
| | | The Prophet (13+)
How can he share the message he has been given when he does not know how to communicate?
#2259490 by LightinMind  |
| | Pilots (18+)
Inspired by the quote: "The bad news is time flies. The good news is you're the pilot."
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Spiritual: June 21, 2023 Issue [#12027]
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