  Action/Adventure
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 HAPPY BIRTHDAY WDC 
Greetings, I am honored to appear as your guest host for the WDC Action and Adventure Newsletter this joyous week, to celebrate with you eight wonderful years of adventures in writing; the direct result of the action of our beloved SM and SMS.
Write On! |
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I don't mean to be a party pooper,but where have all the heroes gone?
As a kid, I recall some rainy Sunday afternoons sitting on the couch with my dad watching Roy Rodgers battle villains on TV, perhaps chase down a stage coach robber and, in the end, be recognized a hero, better off along with the town, for his actions; and he could carry a tune.
Today, I shut off the phone, close the door, and sit for hour-long bites for 24 weeks watching Jack Bauer, the often reluctant hero, battle serious enemy forces, his superiors, often covertly, in order to save the day, which he does, ultimately, and is sometimes extolled for his heroics, always vilified for his methods and, most likely, embraces the loss of his own satisfaction or happiness for the good of others.
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Have the heroic cowboys with their ten-gallon hats; the altruistic knights in shining armor on valiant quests; superheroes intent on truth and justice for all; gone the way of 8-track tapes and analog ‘rabbit-ears’ TV? When did Superman, the quiet ‘man of steel,’ give way to Batman, the roguish hero battling his own demons along with assorted villains?
When did the anti-hero, the flawed protagonist, supplant the adventurer’s role of the ‘good guys’ of old?
First, the ‘good guys’ still have some good adventures. Indiana Jones is the altruistic archeologist who uses his knowledge and skills to find and return an artifact or two to its rightful owners (despite one film where he’s accused of seeking ‘fortune and glory’ ). He grows as a person while he makes another corner of the world a safer place.
And just as the ‘good guy’ is still with us, the ‘anti-hero’ is not a recent phenomenon. In The Searchers, John Wayne's character has deep seated prejudices which are reinforced by the adventures along the path of his quest, but also undermined by choices he makes along the way, resulting in a serious change in attitude, changing him in the end and causing him to act for the betterment and joy of others.
In literature, adventures featuring an anti-hero protagonist have been with us since at least the time of Ancient Greece, and his/her nature evolved along with customs and mores over the ensuing centuries. So let’s come closer to today with popular literature most of us have read for just pleasure.
Think about Tom Sawyer or Huck Finn ~ whose adventures thrust them unwittingly into positions where they perform acts which benefit others and, in so doing, change them as well. Or, the pulp fiction adventurers like Sam Spade, who act at times in opposition to the law and accepted norms in order to effect justice. And consider Kurt Vonnegut, who I think a master of the adventure featuring an anti-hero as protagonist. More recently, Dean Koontz’s Odd Thomas, thrust into the role of ‘hero’ by happenstance. He falls into positions where he must choose or react, and he chooses in the end action that is for the greater good of his fellows, if not necessarily his own personal happiness. So, the 'heroes' are still with us, though they may start their adventure by acting not as we'd envision the ideal hero ~ perhaps as an anti-heroic protagonist
So, what defines the anti-heroic protagonist of a story or poem? According to American Heritage Dictionary the antihero is is "a main character in a dramatic or narrative work who is characterized by a lack of traditional heroic qualities, such as idealism or courage." Now, that doesn't make him or her a coward, but in order to keep him or her from becoming the antagonist, some or all of the following characteristics need be evident in the anti-hero’:
 He or she acts heroically, accepting challenges sometimes unwittingly, and acting upon them by means outside conventional norms and customs; often at odds with the law; sometimes with methods underhanded.
He or she has a lack of either identity or determination, but falls into the role of protagonist by happenstance, the pressure of circumstance.
He or she acts in opposition to traditional values or mores.
He or she is flawed in some way, most likely psychologically or socially, and either overcomes or makes use of the flaws in actions taken during the course of the adventure.
He/she has some redeeming quality that readers can either identify with or sympathize with in order to want the protagonist to attain his/her quest, despite apparent flaws or apparently misguided methods.
And, in the end, he or she is changed by virtue of actions taken in the course of the adventure, resulting in the betterment of others – his/her values or beliefs altered, not always for personal gain.
Finally, and this I believe this must be present with or without the above characteristics - you and your reader must have some sympathy or empathy for your anti-hero, else he/she becomes the antagonist in the story. For example, Hannibal Lecter may help uncover the identity of a serial killer, but who can sympathize with his own absolute lack of regard for human life and his own method of disposing of same.
So that’s my take on the anti-hero, and as to why so popular today - perhaps it’s because many of us can identify with the flawed protagonist who seeks to ‘do good’ without having to squeeze into the exalted heroic mold.
I hope you enjoy this Lucky 8th Birthday week, Act to embrace the Adventure and Write On!
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Check out the following self-proclaimed anti-heroes ~ and share with the authors your thoughts this birthday week
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#1422405 by Not Available. |
| |  | Vos Returns (13+)
This here is a short story I cooked up while day dreaming about a potential anti-hero.
#1350466 by BlackMirror  |
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#1088934 by Not Available. |
| |  | Shadow and Flame (18+)
Hers was the figure of the dark, the slinking shadow of death in the corner of your mind
#1467029 by rObYn |
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#1244603 by Not Available. |
Think you want to create one of your own ~ perhaps for this challenge?
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#1426910 by Not Available. |
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In my previous guest appearance, we explored the Antagonist in Action Adventure, and I would like to share some of responsive comments ~ I hope you spend some time visiting with these authors in our Community and sharing an adventure or two
Submitted by: StephBee - House Targaryen 
Good points to consider when writing an antagonist. A carefully crafted antagonist can help your story shine. Two thumbs up.
Thank you for writing ~ even if we don't share everything we 'know' about our antagonist, readers will certainly sense that there's more depth to him/her.
Submitted By: monty31802
A fine Newsletter MK.
Thank you for your encouragement ~ inspires me to ever seek to learn more and write.
Submitted By: billwilcox
I think the main thing to remember here Kate is how your main character changes. There has got to be some type of extreme turnaround from his previous way of thinking. He must evolve in some way from the conflicts he survived.
Thank you for your thoughtful comment ~ inspired this week's exploration of the anti-hero, who I believe absolutely must change or evolve somehow
Submitted By: GA1R
I am completely thrilled. This is the first time since being on writing.com that someone has picked one of my stories to feature in the newsletters. Thanks, GA1R! :D
Thank you for writing. I hope you got some good feedback for your story and encourage you to write some more ~ Keep Writing! and we'll Keep Reading!.
Submitted By: Thomas
I enjoyed your write-up on the hero's journey very much. Thank you!
Thank you for your encouragement ~ I look forward to reading your work. Keep Writing!
Submitted By: Magician.Thanks Angel Army
hi!
Thanks so much for choosinf my sestina on the Dragon Slayer. It is a the greatest achievement for any 14 year old author. Thank you so...so much. Be prepared for more action!!
I believe this is the first of many achievements you will have ~ and look forward to reading more 'adventures' ~ Keep Writing! We'll keep reading ^_^
Submitted By: larryp
Good newsletter Rune, as you effectively relate how to build the conflict in action stories. These are important points for good action writing.
Larry
Thank you for writing ~ your encouragement inspires me to keep learning, and drafting, and writing!
Submitted By: Little Scribbler
An interesting newsletter. I read it twice, to fully take all the info in, and it will make me look through my own story to see if my antagonist fits the description, and uses his skills correctly to deter Lily (the hero) from fulfilling the quest.
Good work with the newsletter!
I'm glad I was able to help focus attention on the antagonist ~ whose actions I think are key to developing the character of the protagonist as well. I look forward to reading your story. Keep writing!
Well, thus ends this guest appearance this Birthday Week ~ before I completely overstay my welcome ~ until whenever we next meet,
I bid you Inspired Writing! and Delightful Reading! and
PARTY HARDY!
Kate
Kate - Writing & Reading
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Action/Adventure: September 03, 2008 Issue [#2593]
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