{"id":8683,"date":"2013-05-22T03:00:52","date_gmt":"2013-05-22T10:00:52","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/writersfunzone.com\/blog\/?p=8683"},"modified":"2013-05-23T13:19:52","modified_gmt":"2013-05-23T20:19:52","slug":"writing-the-anti-hero-by-rahima-warren","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/writersfunzone.com\/blog\/2013\/05\/22\/writing-the-anti-hero-by-rahima-warren\/","title":{"rendered":"Writing the “Anti-Hero” by Rahima Warren"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Rahima-Warren_Blog-Tour-Banner\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Today on Writer’s Fun Zone we have Rahima Warren, Author of Dark Innocence, Book One of the Star-Seer’s Prophecy <\/a>stopping by on her book blog tour. Rahima<\/a> will gives us some insight on writing the “anti-hero”. Enjoy!<\/p>\n

Oh! And comment below about your favorite anti-hero or suffering hero<\/strong> to enter to a win a free copy of Dark Innocence. A winner will be picked next week.<\/p>\n

Lastly, be sure to enter the Special Grand Prize Giveawa<\/strong>y below for lots of fun prizes!<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

\u201cIn literature, an antihero <\/b>is a protagonist who has no heroic virtues or qualities (such as being morally good, idealistic, courageous, noble, and possessing fortitude), blurring the line between hero and villain.\u201d\u00a0 Wikipedia<\/p>\n

One of my motivations for writing about an anti-hero was to try to get beyond dualistic (black\/white; good\/evil) thinking. Thus, I placed this quote at the beginning of Book One<\/a>:<\/p>\n

\u201cWhen will you learn, O mind,
\nto sleep in perfect comfort
\nbetween the captivating lovers,
\nholiness and defilement?
\nOnly when you can keep
\nthese two consorts peaceful
\nbeneath a single roof
\nwill you truly encounter
\nthe brilliance of the Goddess.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

Ramakrishna, translated by Lex Hixon<\/p>\n

My protagonist, Kyr, is a sort of \u201canti-hero.\u201d At first, he knows nothing but obedience to an evil sorcerer-king known as the Soul-Drinker<\/strong>. He coldly carries out the Soul-Drinker\u2019s vicious commands, until he is rescued by people whom he has unwittingly helped. The main thread of the story is Kyr\u2019s healing journey, as he learns that there is kindness, friendship and love in the world, and struggles to become a kind, caring person. His battle is with his inner demons, not with orcs or dragons.<\/p>\n

Kyr\u2019s courage is the courage to look within, face his own pain, rage and remorse, and find his way to forgiveness and love.<\/strong> This is a courage much needed in the world today, to help end the cycles of blame and punishment, hatred and revenge, which lead to feuds, war and terrorism, as well as to depression, self-loathing, and many emotional ills.<\/p>\n

\"Dark-Innocence_by-Rahima-Warren_2100x1400\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Rather than an anti-hero, I call Kyr a \u201csuffering hero.\u201d This is an archetype that lives in us all<\/strong>. Without conscious attention, it can drive us to act as victims, rescuers and\/or persecutors. These three archetypes or roles can be seen in numerous stories, myths and legends, and are acted out in our daily lives, if we haven\u2019t gone on our own healing journeys. They are the source of much drama — and suffering.<\/p>\n

From one angle, it seems like my whole life was preparation to write Kyr\u2019s story.<\/strong> I had to go on my own healing journey, which started during my first marriage in my 20’s. I found myself spending hours contemplating homicide, but decided getting into therapy was a better idea. (LOL!) Having derived much healing and peace from my inner work, I wanted to help others in this way. So I went back to school in my late 30’s, earned M.A.s in counseling psychology & transpersonal counseling, and my MFT license, and become a guide for others on their healing journeys. I was stunned by how much suffering and abuse people endure, and totally amazed by our ability to recover and heal ourselves with the right help.<\/p>\n

Another part of my unwitting preparation to write Kyr\u2019s story was learning to trust the messages of the unconscious mind.<\/strong> First, I learned to work with dreams through creative imagination. (You can see some of my dreamwork and expressive art on www.soulplay.com<\/a>) Then I delved deeper into working with the dreaming mind through sandplay therapy. Next, I become an expressive arts therapist, in which the creative process is focused on freely expressing whatever you are feeling or envisioning without any regard for art techniques or for producing \u2019fine art\u2019 and\/or pieces to sell. No critiques or even positive comments allowed! In all of these ways, I learned to ignore the inner critic\/judge, go with the creative flow, and follow it to its natural conclusion.<\/p>\n

When I was finally ready, Kyr\u2019s story burst forth in a passionate, creative outpouring.<\/strong> (see \u201cHow My Hero Turned Me into a Writer<\/a>.\u201d) It was so much fun to write whatever came no matter how dark, that I snuck off to write whenever I could, staying up late, neglecting the housework, etc. I wrote from my heart with no plan or outline. Being a psychotherapist, I did my best to imagine what Kyr would be feeling as he evolved from a cold, obedient slave of evil to a human, vulnerable man. In some sense, he was my alter-ego. I had to see with his eyes, and write down whatever he showed me.<\/p>\n

After three years, I got to the end of Kyr\u2019s story, and realized that it is a powerful story with an important gift to offer of healing and \u201cguidance through suffering,\u201d<\/a> as one reader said.<\/strong> Kyr\u2019s journey shows a way toward healing, love and peace for the \u2018suffering hero\u2019 in humanity\u2019s soul. And Kyr does \u201cencounter the brilliance of the Goddess\u201d on his journey, as I hope we all will.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Enter Rahima Warren’s Grand Prize Giveaway<\/a> here:<\/p>\n

a Rafflecopter giveaway<\/a>
\n