Using Archetypes

[Emily]

In my WIP, I am using the 8 1/2 archetypes K. M. Weiland writes about in this article (https://www.helpingwritersbecomeauthors.com/8-%c2%bd-character-archetypes-writing/).

However, some of my important characters do not fit into an archetypal role. The story begins when my protagonist meets a character who introduces her to the mentor and then leaves. I am not sure what to call this character and it is bothering me. Thoughts?

 

[solanelle]

@when-i-see-the-kingdom Hello!  I have a few thoughts regarding this:

So, personally, I actually don’t think that it’s necessary that authors use character archetypes.  Now, don’t get me wrong, I think that this can be extremely helpful for some people, but I don’t think that archetypes make the character.  So for example, it’s definitely possible to have an amazing story where the protagonist doesn’t have a love interest.  And while the love interest is a very important character archetype, there’s a lot of stories out there that have extremely bland, boring love interests.  If it helps to base characters off of archetypes, then by all means do that!  I just think that you shouldn’t feel like each of your characters have to fit a certain archetype 🙂

That being said, I do think it’s important that as many parts in the story have a definite place and role.  I think that if you want to hold the readers attention and really pique their interest as much as possible, you should make sure that their sustained interest is rewarded.  Think foreshadowing, Chekov’s gun, etc etc.  In my experience, the most engaging and satisfying stories are the ones that don’t leave any loose ends.

So, I think that instead of having a character come and introduce the mentor, then leave, you might want to consider seeing if there’s a chance they could become relevant later on in the story.  Or, it might be interesting to replace this character or combine them with another character who has a bigger role.  Just some thoughts!

*laughs as one fey*

[Emily]

Thanks for your reply @calidris !

The character serves as a rescuer who brings children to the hospital. He brings the MC there and the leaves to bring others. My worry is that since he is the second character introduced it makes him look like a major character.

I have not decided whether he has a part in the climax but I know he will reappear towards the end.

Replacing or combining him does not make too much sense because it is unlikely the mentor (who serves as the MC’s doctor) would find her.

Based on what I have described, how would you perceive this rescuer character?

[solanelle]

@when-i-see-the-kingdom ahh I see.  Well if he doesn’t have a huge role in the story, it might help to give him a smaller/less detailed description when he’s first introduced!  I think characters with really detailed/interesting descriptions tend to really stick with the readers more, so if he’s going to be more of a background character, giving him a shorter description could help him not come across as a main character.  You could even add on to it throughout his appearances in the story if he appears more, so the readers’ perception of him can grow along with his role in the story 🙂

*laughs as one fey*

[Emily]

Alrightie. Thanks for brainstorming with me!

[solanelle]

Of course!

*laughs as one fey*

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