Despite nearly universal
likenesses and differences, each of us is born with predispositions to think
and behave in certain ways according to when we were born, our position or role
in our family system, and personal/emotionally charged experiences. Exhibited
family values also play a critical role in personality development. Bottom line
– personality is extremely complex, and the more complex we allow our
characters to be, the more enthralling our story. Our hero and heroine should
grow throughout our story. Each one has to learn certain things/lessons to
propel the story.
Every character has one thing
in common – deep down, they all want love more than anything. Otherwise, it
wouldn’t be called romance. At some point, we’ll talk about Maslow’s Hierarchy
of Needs, because according to Maslow, everyone – I’ll say that again. Everyone’s
main goal is love – to love and be loved. No matter how angelic or evil their
actions, the underlying goal is still the same.
Often because of our
experiences, we become jaded and seek love in all the wrong ways, and sometimes
we learn to seek respect, admiration, even fear in place of love, but that
doesn’t change the universal need and desire. So, now that we’ve established
the universal ideal, let’s talk a few minutes about individual characters. In
addition to love, what does your hero want? What does your heroine want? What
lesson(s) must they learn by the end of the story?
Growing up, my nose was
always in an astrology book. Arguments abound for and against the merits and
accuracy of astrology, but that’s not my intent today. Today, I’d just like to
introduce you to a cool personality framework (yep, there’s that word again).
Those of us who love lists, also tend to love frameworks J Astrology is great fun for personality studies, and I
have a list specifically designed for lovers.
As you read through, think
about your characters. Do you recognize them in the brief descriptions? Can you
identify which signs they fit into? I like to think of it as determining how
your characters express love based on what they already know, and how they
recognize it when shown to them once they’ve evolved.
One more thing - Just in case
you’re a newbie to astrology, each sign covers a four week period (the last ten
days or so of one month, and the first three weeks of the next). Exact dates
for the beginning and end of a particular sign’s influence vary slightly
according to astrologers and the year of birth. Also, the signs of the zodiac mimic
a human lifespan, beginning with Aries, the infant, and culminating with
Pisces, the elderly, each successive sign gaining wisdom from previous signs.
1.
Aries – the infant
– Life statement (“I am”) – To me, love is innocence. I must learn that love is
trust
2.
Taurus – toddler – Life statement (“I have”) –
To me, love is patience. I must learn that love is forgiveness
3.
Gemini – elementary years – Life statement (“I
think”) – To me, love is awareness. I must learn that love is feeling
4.
Cancer – adolescent – Life statement (“I feel”)
– To me, love is devotion. I must learn that love is freedom
5.
Leo – teen – Life statement (“I will”) – To me,
love is ecstasy. I must learn that love is humility
6.
Virgo – young adult (20’s) – Life statement (“I
analyze”) – To me, love is pure. I must learn that love is fulfillment
7.
Libra – adult (30’s) – Life statement (“I
balance”) – To me, love is beauty. I must learn that love is harmony
8.
Scorpio – (40’s) – Life statement (“I desire”)
– To me, love is passion. I must learn that love is surrender
9.
Sagittarius – (50’s)
– Life statement (“I understand”) – To me, love is honesty. I must learn that
love is loyalty
10.
Capricorn – (60’s) – Life statement (“I
consume”) – To me, love is wisdom. I must learn that love is selfless
11.
Aquarius – (70’s) – Life statement (“I know”) –
To me, love is tolerance. I must learn that love is oneness
12.
Pisces – elderly – Life statement (“I seek”) –
To me, love is compassion. I must learn that love is EVERYTHING
How did you do? Were you able to identify your
hero and heroine? There are also implications for conflict. Sable, “Dark Sentinels”
hero, book one, is a Libra. He’s smooth, extremely well-mannered, appreciates
beauty, and seeks harmony. Torin, “Dark Sentinels” work-in-progress hero, book
two, on the other hand, is a Scorpio. Volatile, passionate, he’s a control
freak afraid to allow himself to be vulnerable. So, how about you? Tell me
about your hero and heroine.
Comments
And I'm seventy? I always knew I was an old soul...
Thanks, Dariel, great piece!