BLOG QUESTION ADV: CHARACTER ARCHETYPES

Which archetype seems easiest to write? Which do you think seems the most difficult? Why? What archetype do you understand the least? Why? What kind of heroes do you like telling stories about?

I would say that the Herald is the easiest archetype to write, because it doesn't necessarily have to be a physical human being, and they are usually only involved in the beginning of a story to set the hero on a journey. The article says that it can come in the forms of many things, a phone call, letter, accident, or character. Whatever it is, they just have to provoke a call to action for the protagonist. I would say that the shadow is the most difficult because similar to a hero, you have to establish their own motivations, backstory, and character traits. You have to give them reasonable motivations and goals, and usually, it's better to give them qualities that make them relatable to the audience. It can be tricky finding a good balance between evil and reason. I think I understand the shape-shifter the least, only because the description is kind of confusing.  I like stories about heroes who come from an average/normal world, and are thrust upon a fantasy land or something completely out of their comfort zone.