Crafting Fictional Heroes – Karen Tyrrell’s Secrets

My friend Karen Tyrrell, award-winning children’s resilience author, is back with a brand new Sci-Fi adventure. Karen launches her second illustrated novel in the Super Space Kids series, Jo-Kin vs Lord Terra, an action-packed FUN space adventure for kids 7-12. Illustrated by Trevor Salter.

Jo-Kin Battles the It and Jo-Kin vs Lord Terra (Super Space Kids) are out NOW on Amazon and in book shops across the galaxy including Dymocks.

Jo-Kin vs Lord Terra

Blast off with gadgets, robots and funky food in a hilarious outer space adventure that enlightens you with STEM science, the power of teamwork, problem solving, and resilience.

“Reluctant hero, Jo-Kin never wanted to be a Super Space Kid. Not until Lord Terra kidnaps his Commander’s little sister and starts destroying the galaxy. Jo-Kin reunites the mighty Super Space Kids for an inter-planetary hunt for Lord Terra, finally meeting in a legendary winner-takes-all battle on Planet Deelish-us.

Can Jo-Kin defeat the all-powerful Lord Terra face to face?”

How to Create Powerful Heroes in Fiction

1. Identify with the Reader: Introduce your hero on page one via his thoughts, dialogue and actions so the reader can relate to him instantly. The reader needs to know the protagonist’s goals and motivations straight away.
2. Empathise: Allow the reader to empathize and sympathize with the hero, so they really care about him. Your hero could be an underdog with some endearing flaws.
3. Humour: Let the hero character deliver humour on the very first page, to win the reader over. A character who makes us grin is a character we’ll like.
4. Action: Heroes are characterised by action. The hero actually does things. He or she doesn’t sit around watching things happen, or waiting for situations to resolve themselves.
5. Morality: A hero represents the values of the community. They defy evil and save the world. They stick up for the geeks, and believe in fair play. They hate bullies.
6. Selflessness: We love heroes who go out of their way to protect others.
7. Loved by Others: Give your hero a sidekick and a team. If your hero is loved by someone else, it establishes the character as someone worthy of love.
8. Compassion: Your hero character must show an underlying kindness and desire to uplift and help others.
9. Bravery: Even when scared and nervous, your hero needs to put his life on the line again and again.
10. Determination: Your hero must never give up, no matter how many brick walls challenges he encounters.

Karen Tyrrell’s hero character Jo-Kin in Jo-Kin vs Lord Terra ticks all those boxes.

Check your hero against the hero checklist. How did your hero go?

Please leave a comment below for a chance to win a copy of Jo-Kin vs Lord Terra.

Blog Tour – Around the Galaxy & Back

Jo-Kin vs Lord Terra Blog Tour 23 May – 1 June

To celebrate Jo-Kin vs Lord Terra launch Karen is hosting Jo-Kin vs Lord Terra Blog Tour and Book Giveaway. Co-hosts will share out-of-this-world book reviews, interviews and blog posts.

Karen will zoom away signed copies of her book Jo-Kin vs Lord Terra and galactic prizes via the websites below. Please leave a comment on the websites to WIN.

23 May Amazon & Blog Tour Launch www.karentyrrell.com

24 May Writing Kids Humour, Melissa Wray

25 May Create a Powerful Hero Character, Alison Stegert

26 May Creating Teacher Resources, Romi Sharp

27 May Book Review, Robyn Opie Parnell

30 May Book Review, Jill Smith

31 May Creating Themes in Kids Books, Kate Foster

1 June Illustrate a Children’s Novel, June Perkins

Book Giveaway

WIN two signed copies of Jo-Kin vs Lord Terra OR 3 eBooks OR signed artwork from illustrator, Trevor Salter.

For a chance to WIN prizes … Just leave a comment on any of the above websites.

REMEMBER: Leaving comments on more than one site, increases your chances to WIN a prize.

Winners announced on 6 June. Good luck!