In a new post, Janice Hardy says that as writers create obstacles for their protagonists, they should also give their heroes something to be grateful for. “There’s a limit to how much you can dump on a poor soul before they just give up,” she says. “And we need our characters—especially our protagonists—to keep going when things are at their worst.”
As you create trouble, also consider why your character is willing to suffer all the horrible stuff you throw in their path. “Big or small, relevant or not, there will be things in a character’s life that they’re thankful for, even when everything else in their life is crap,” Hardy notes. These can be people, possessions, memories, or dreams that give them the strength to go on. It could be a parent or best friend, or something as simple as a piece of good advice.
In addition to giving your character motivation and a bit of hope, your character’s gratitude can get them through the Dark Night of the Soul or All is Lost moment as your near your climax. “No matter how much is stripped away, they’ll always have this to fall back on,” Hardy writes.
If you’re not sure what this element might be, look for it on your character’s arc. “If they need to speak up for themselves, they might be thankful for a friend who pushes them to stand up and not back down from a fight they need to win,” Hardy says. “If they’re struggling to find love, they might be thankful for their grandmother’s wedding photo (and the 63-year marriage behind it), reminding them that true love does exist.”
A moment of gratitude also gives the reader a break from whatever gloom and doom your hero is facing, and show them that a glimmer of hope remains at the end of the journey. They also show your protagonist’s vulnerability. “Although tiny, moments of gratitude can have strong impacts on a scene, because they’re very human moments,” Hardy explains. “Characters can show their vulnerability, even if it’s just a small squeeze of a friend’s hand. And that vulnerability makes them more likable, and helps readers care about them and whatever they’re going through.”
