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Printed from https://writing.com/main/newsletters/action/archives/id/12031
Action/Adventure: June 28, 2023 Issue [#12031]




 This week: The Rogue
  Edited by: NaNoNette Author IconMail Icon
                             More Newsletters By This Editor  Open in new Window.

Table of Contents

1. About this Newsletter
2. A Word from our Sponsor
3. Letter from the Editor
4. Editor's Picks
5. A Word from Writing.Com
6. Ask & Answer
7. Removal instructions

About This Newsletter

"Men, who are rogues individually, are in the mass very honorable people." - Montesquieu

"Rogues, would you live forever?" - Frederick the Great


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Letter from the editor

The Rogue


Every action/adventure story has heroes. The typical hero will prefer to choose self-sacrifice and be noble in the way the problems are tackled and solved. In a literary world saturated with those good heroes, let's discuss the rogue. A character whose ideas of right or wrong are something more malleable to the needs of the moment. A character whose ethics aren't always grounded in the morals of the time and place of the story.

The rogue archetype is often thought of to be a Han Solo type. Someone who is fundamentally decent, but who will break the rules when it suits him. Han Solo is quite a tame rogue in contrast to how hard a rogue can go before simply turning into a criminal.

Hallmarks of a rogue character travel along a more selfish definition:
*Bullet* The rogue's allegiance is to himself.
*Bullet* The rogue's pursuits are mainly carried out for personal gain.
*Bullet* A rogue might show up for no better reason than to enjoy a thrilling joyride.
*Bullet* The human cost of an enterprise don't worry the rogue.

The rogue has redeeming qualities too:
*Bullet* The rogue is not going to be nasty or cruel for cheap amusement.
*Bullet* The rogue is never out to just hurt anyone.

The rogue is an adventurer who doesn't ever ask whether anyone wanted him there. He wouldn't have come if someone did. He always shows up because there was something in it for him. The rogue's overall attitude toward violence is that he will use it to achieve his goals.

Once a rogue has become part of a cast and has become useful to some bigger goal, it's going to be hard to keep him around. The rogue doesn't want to serve a bigger purpose. That is the hero's role. A role the rogue wants no part in. However, the rogue is not entirely amoral or a sociopath either. Somewhere inside of that selfish character is basic human decency. Which is why characters like Han Solo fulfill the rogue role more than the hero role.

Used with care, the rogue enhances any action adventure plot as her connections with other scoundrels might come in handy. Her willingness to go outside of socially acceptable boundaries makes her invaluable when the hero needs to stay untainted. While some want to disagree with the rogue's methods, nobody can deny the results. And results do matter.

When you include a rogue in your stories, remember that they aren't cuddly, touchy-feely types with a soft center. They are in the story because it serves them. They will leave when their personal goals are achieved. So, do your rogue character the favor to set them free before the story is over. Let them come and go as they please to preserve this character trope in its purest form.

Do you think the Rogue is a good character or an evil character?


Editor's Picks

 Tests Open in new Window. (13+)
A pair of wannabe rogues run a gauntlet
#2268043 by Just Jae Author IconMail Icon

 
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Rogue Ship Open in new Window. (13+)
Contest entry. Weird Tales. A ship hates subs and not the Subway kind.
#2249337 by D. Reed Whittaker Author IconMail Icon

 Rogue Ship with a Sub-Hating Soul Open in new Window. (13+)
This is a weird tale written for the April 2021 prompt.
#2248196 by 💙 Carly-wrimo 2024 Author IconMail Icon

 The Love Drug Open in new Window. (13+)
A woman breaks up with a man while he tries to escape a rogue magician.
#2213581 by Drake Author IconMail Icon

 I am a rogue Open in new Window. (E)
An inspiration caught in the morning, and a first try after reading Byron and Shelley.
#2165653 by clarkhe Author IconMail Icon

Image Protector
BOOK
Evie's Adventures in Africa Open in new Window. (18+)
a Steampunk novel -- a two-time 2016 Quill Award-Winner
#2063509 by Jim Hall Author IconMail Icon

 
Image Protector
STATIC
The Possibilities Man Open in new Window. (E)
Psst! Hey, wanna buy a possible future? Guaranteed 80% likely to occur!
#1830460 by Graywriter Author IconMail Icon

 Con Artist Open in new Window. (E)
A writer's cramp entry 12/9/16.
#2105064 by Chris Breva Author IconMail Icon


 
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Ask & Answer

Replies to my last Action/Adventure newsletter "The Warrior Woman" Open in new Window. that asked Do you have a unique take on a woman warrior that you would like to see more often in fiction?

WakeUpAndLive~doingNaNo'24 Author Icon wrote: Wow, the warrior woman is quite the example to live by. I would hope to have the characteristics in life that she has. Anyway, it is something to strive at. In movies and fiction, I would rather like her to lose the high heels. This a stereotype I find very irritating.

I can't agree more. The high heels stereotype is ridiculous.

oldgreywolf on wheels Author Icon wrote: In answer to your previous question, "Sargeant Preston of the Yukon".
Current newsletter: Hormones can do interesting things to how a women carries herself, behaves in public, weapons proficiency. Training, discipline are needed, too, but hormones help shape who the person IS.

I looked up Sergeant Preston of the Yukon on the streaming services I have, but couldn't find him. I am going to keep an eye out if I can at least catch some of his episodes somewhere.
A, yes. Hormones definitely play a big role in a woman's life.

BIG BAD WOLF is Howling Author Icon wrote: Recently, I've been writing about a woman who has more than enough skill to take on vampires and werewolves, among other dangers. Of course, she takes after her well-known father, and her even more dangerous mother.

Drop a link next time.

Monty Author Icon wrote: most women!

hear, hear

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