For Writers: Rooting Interests
1) We care about characters we feel sorry for (empathy)
2) We like characters with humanistic traits
3) We like to admire the character
Most importantly, we like someone with a mix from all three of these categories.
Empathy:
undeserved mistreatment
undeserved misfortune (bad luck)
physical or mental handicap
frustration or humiliation (embarrassment)
a moment of weakness
abandoned
betrayal
telling the truth but not being believed
exclusion and rejection (not one of the group)
loneliness and neglect
feeling guilty when one’s mistake causes pain
represses pain
life endangerment
Humanistic traits:
lets down his defenses in a private moment
(bonus pts if someone invades his privacy and humiliates him)
helps less fortunate
relates to children
children like character
patting the dog & dog likes character
change of heart
comes to aid of a friend
risk life for another
sacrifices themself
cares for just cause (dies for a just cause)
ethical or moral & responsible
dependable, loyal
loves other people
generous, caring act, compassion, altruistic
Admiration traits:
Power and charisma
Self-confident
Courage (mental and physical)
Passionate
Attractive
Skilled (competent)
Thoughtful & wise
Witty & clever
Sense of humor
Playful
Physical and athletic
Wounded and continues on
Unique way of living
Underdog who tries hard
Active rather than passive
Surrounded by admirers
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