Is Your Hero A Chosen One?
A Chosen One is a hero that is passively chosen for greatness, rather than one that makes his own destiny. Readers typically find Chosen Ones passive and unimpressive. This 5-minute quiz will help you identify whether your character is a Chosen One and will help you fix him.
- 1.
Is this character born with impressive gifts? For example, he might have uncommon potential with magic or The Force.
- A.
Yes.
- B.
No.
Correct Answer
B. No.Explanation
Readers generally prefer heroes that win their own powers. If someone is born super-powerful, that isn't very impressive. That's just luck. In contrast, someone that earns his powers is a real winner.Rate this question:
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- 2.
Is this character born to a royal or otherwise high-ranking family?
- A.
Yes.
- B.
No.
Correct Answer
B. No.Explanation
The character is not born to a royal or high-ranking family.Rate this question:
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- 3.
Is this character the subject of a great prophecy?
- A.
Yes.
- B.
No.
Correct Answer
B. No.Explanation
Most publishers hate prophecies. A prophecy is the ultimate sign of a Chosen One; prophecies are always received rather than earned.Rate this question:
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- 4.
Is this character selected from an early age for his task?
- A.
Yes.
- B.
No.
Correct Answer
B. No.Explanation
Generally, strong heroes choose their own quests. If the character is selected from an early age, he's not really his own man. Please have your hero pick his own quest: he will seem more morally complex and active.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Which of these would you say is more accurate?
- A.
Like Eragon or Peter Parker, my hero is fortunate to receive incredible powers.
- B.
Like Wonderwoman or a Navy SEAL, my hero does something to win her powers and rank.
Correct Answer
B. Like Wonderwoman or a Navy SEAL, my hero does something to win her powers and rank.Explanation
Eragon and Peter Parker receive their powers because of luck and chance. That's not very satisfying. In contrast, Wonder-Woman only won her powers because she won a competition that established that she *deserved* to be Wonder-Woman. That's much more impressive than a lucky spider-bite.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Does this character ever get defeated?
- A.
Yes.
- B.
No.
Correct Answer
A. Yes.Explanation
Give your characters the opportunity to overcome adversity. That will make them feel more impressive to readers.Rate this question:
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- 7.
Do you ever put a character in a situation where his preferred method of problem-solving won't work? For example, maybe the Punisher has to talk his way past a guard instead of shooting the place up. Or a Jedi has to win a fight without using The Force or his lightsaber.
- A.
Yes.
- B.
No.
Correct Answer
A. Yes.Explanation
A scene where the character cannot rely on his usual powers is another way you can establish that this character is creative and savvy. Additionally, mixing up the plot will make it feel more lively.Rate this question:
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- 8.
Is your character ever let out of a tight spot by factors beyond his control? For example, he's about to lose a fight, but someone comes to save him or he discovers new powers.
- A.
Yes.
- B.
No.
Correct Answer
B. No.Explanation
It will feel like a deus ex machina if a hero is saved by some factor out of his control. I'd recommend having the hero fight his way out with his own skills or try something else to escape. Alternately, just let him lose... then he can deal with the negative consequences of that later.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Does your story feature any resurrection?
- A.
Yes.
- B.
No.
Correct Answer
B. No.Explanation
Death is normally a scary and threatening fate. **The fear of death is the main dramatic element of combat.** But if your character can overcome death, then it doesn't matter when he wins or loses. The result is that the character will seem much less impressive and dramatic.Rate this question:
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Current Version
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Mar 21, 2023Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Nov 22, 2008Quiz Created by
Superheronation