The Big Secret of a Noble Cause

Okay, here it is, the BIG SECRET. The entire reason why I make you all go through this Noble Cause scrutiny…

Ready?

It’s to get to your characters DEEPEST VALUES….

See, it’s VALUES that drive our actions, make our choices for us, point us in the right direction. Whether it’s a value we have, or want to have, it’s what we hold in our heart as qualities most dear that compels us to face obstacles and muscle through the darkest night. It's our values that the stories personal, to our character, but also the reader, because we can how they affect our lives, also.

And, the thing is, your characters values are all bound up in his Noble Cause.

Quick! Get your hero back on that sofa before he gets away. And now…ask him: What TWO values are represented in your Noble Cause?

Let’s go back to our firefighter from yesterday. We know that his father gave his life to save others. So – that’s Heroism. Or Sacrifice.
And, we know that his father’s buddies rallied around him….
That’s Family, or Loyalty.

So…we can say that our firefighter’s deepest values are Sacrificial Heroism and Loyalty.

Why does that matter, Suz?

Well, here’s why…because at some point in your story, your hero is going to have to choose between the two values. He’ll have to betray the one, and choose the other.

But why can’t he just have both?

Because, the best tension is INNER tension…and competing values are what makes a story take a reader’s breath away. It’s why we’ll cry at Sommersby, and why Mr. Darcy’s confession of love gets us in the heart every time, and why it’s so darn heroic when Mel Gibson comes riding up with the mended American flag after his son is killed in the Patriot. Every character has had to grapple with their inner values, and find the one that pushes them forward. The one that is most Noble.

Let’s try it: We know that our firefighter’s noble cause is to never leave a victim behind on his watch. We also know, now, that his values are Sacrificial Heroism and Loyalty. Now…let’s pit them against each other.
What if….his partner gets hurt, and needs to be carried out of a fire…but, at the same time, they are on their way to rescue a mother and her baby? He can’t rescue both…what is he going to do? Or…let’s reverse it….what if his partner dies, and he promises his partner’s son he’ll watch after him….except, while he’s not on duty, a fire erupts near his house…will he rush into the burning house, even though he can’t keep a promise to his partner’s son?

Find your values…and then a moment in the book when they’ll have to make a choice, and I promise, you’ll have fans lining up to buy your books!

Tommorrow, we're going to take a look at some brave and noble causes submitted by readers! (And there is still time for you to send me your noble causes, and be entered in the drawing for a free Rafe book!) send your entries to: booktherapy@susanmaywarren.com !

Comments

[PatriciaW]

Susan, is there an easy way to read old posts on this blog? I couldn't find the archive links.

[PatriciaW]

Never mind. I figured it out. That would be those back/forward links in the middle of the page. Duh!