In a post on Writers Helping Writers, Lucy Hay says giving your protagonist a special talent or skill can help you set her apart from the rest. “Memorable characters often have skills or talents that set them apart … but these abilities need to serve a purpose in the story,” she says. “So, how do we know whether we are writing a character with a completely random skill, or one that will make them three-dimensional and compelling?”
At best, your characters’ abilities factor into the plot. Without these skills, your character’s choices, actions, and outcomes would be dramatically different. Imagine Katniss Everdeen without her archery skill in The Hunger Games. That’s a fairly short story.
A character’s talent or skill can help them:
- Solve problems. The skill should help your protagonist deal with whatever the plot throws at them. For example, a sleuth’s skill at solving puzzles comes in handy in a murder mystery.
- Create conflict. Losing skills can also create obstacles. How does your hero adapt or overcome their adversity?
- Add symbolism. How does the character’s use of their skill support your theme or add layers to character or setting? In Gravity, Sandra Bullock’s character must use her skills to steer her spacecraft back to Earth. In addition to her physical challenges, she has to decide whether she even wants to survive. Her continued efforts to survive physically reveal the hidden reserves of emotional strength that drive her.
Authenticity – and therefore research – are important, even if the protagonist’s skill is as simple as driving. If you aren’t familiar, look it up! If you can, learn some aspects of the skill so that writing about it comes naturally. You don’t need to be an expert – or even as good as your character – but a passing knowledge will help you create verisimilitude.
