We all want our characters to stand out a little from the crowd, especially our protagonists. Our heroes should contrast with their supporting cast and we’d like our readers to remember a little something about them after they’ve closed the book. One way to liven up your protagonist is to give them a special talent or skill. In a post on Writers in the Storm, Angela Ackerman says that skills make your character unique and can help add layers to their personality.
Your character might have a demonstrable talent in the arts or they might be more observant than the average person. Their talent might be job-related or it could simply be a quirky pastime. “Whether it’s singing, skiing, welding, or transforming pop cans into an ingenious whirligigs, talents and skills help make us interesting and memorable, and can do the same for characters,” Ackerman says.
These talents and skills also can affect your story, so you should choose them carefully. Ackerman suggests starting with something that fits your character’s personality, education, and environment. The skill should also factor into the plot. What talent will help your character overcome challenges and grow internally? The character’s story role is important, too. “A main character will face a crucible of conflict to reach their goal, and their special ability may influence events and/or be part of their growth arc,” Ackerman says.”A lesser character’s skills, however, may not have the same level of importance.”
Considering your genre, your hero might have an extraordinary skill, such as a supernatural power or some specialized fighting or investigative talent. If you give your protagonist a rare ability, be prepared to answer the reader’s questions about where the power came from and how the character discovered it. Also consider the effect this talent has on your hero’s relationships and self-worth, and of course it’s impact on the story. The more unusual the talent, the more the reader will anticipate its importance.
Even ordinary talents – such as skill with sewing, gardening, or math – can be important to your character and story. While you might be tempted to layer in martial arts or a talent for disguise, simple skills can be just as effective. “Ordinary skills can have a big impact on the story in the right situation,” Ackerman says. “They also resonate and feel realistic to readers.”
Ackerman also warns us not to get too cute with our character’s skills. If one of your characters has the perfect talent to help with a specific situation, it could feel unnatural or contrived. Think about non-obvious ways your characters can use their talents. You don’t want your readers to think you added a character’s talent merely to fit your plot.
Similarly, you should try to think outside the box with talents and skills for genre characters. Your thriller hero needs certain characteristics to help them navigate dangerous situations, but they can use them in unusual ways. Don’t lean on a genre trope so hard that it becomes a cliché. You might consider adding a seemingly useless talent or trick that comes in handy at an unexpected time.
Finally, consider whether the talent is unwanted. SF&F is full of characters who have mutant or magical skills that complicate their lives. A character could be drawn into conflicts they’d rather avoid or pressed into service. Even a mundane talent can be unattractive if your character gets pigeonholed into a role they don’t want or if others take for granted their willingness to use their talent. This can also drive internal conflict, as your character must come to grips with who and what they are.
