The Unexpected Hero

Hello and welcome to my end-of-month newsletter blog post!

You can read last month’s newsletter here.

Following the very loose pattern I decided to set, these posts are a chance for me to update you on my writing projects and write a few words about something to do with stories.

This month, I want to talk about unexpected heroes. 

Certain protagonists come to mind when I think of characters that neither the reader nor the character themselves would ever imagine to be the hero of the story. They appear in all genres, but the one in which I encounter them the most is in fantasy. 

No one expects the humble gardener, or any other character with no desire to go on great quests and risk life and limb, to be the hero in a great struggle between good and evil. Because that’s not often how such stories go. 

Realistically, it makes no sense for such a character to be the hero. They’re not the brave warrior who spent their whole life training to defeat the darkness, or the cunning mage with powerful arcane arts at their disposal. They’re often ordinary, unassuming folk who possess nothing more than a courage to be brave despite their fear, a desire to do what is right despite the opposition, and a kind heart despite the cruel world around them.

And yet… I have an easier time identifying with such a protagonist than I do the warrior or the wizard. Beside the fact that real life is not a fantasy world, I’m not a trained swordsman, no matter how many duels I had with my sister in our front yard. I’m not a wizard, either, I can’t even do the simplest magic trick. 

But being brave, wanting to do what’s right, and having a kind heart… These are things I can aspire to in the real world. These are worthy goals and characteristics to emulate and obtain.

Stories with unexpected heroes remind me that such things are possible. They are not small or insignificant. They matter. And as I do with many story elements, I think that’s a beautiful thing.

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Here’s a quick breakdown of September and some things to look for in October:

My theological book, A Christian’s Survival Guide: Wearing God’s Armor Every Day, is available in print and e-book formats. If you’ve already picked up your copy, thank you so much! If you’re interested in reading and discussing this book in a group setting, I put together a free downloadable discussion guide to accompany the devotional.

What else for September? I posted another short story set in the whimsical world of Minz (read it here) and continued working on the edits to the second edition of A House Named Haven. 

What’s in store for October? Another short story from Minz, more editing on The Tale of Rose and Ed, and some worldbuilding for a future project! 

Enjoy the changing of the seasons by reading a good book or two wrapped up in a cozy blanket with a hot drink. That’s what I’m going to try to do. ☺️

Until next time,

Al