About Us

What is a character archetype?

At its core, a character archetype is a recognizable, universal role. It’s a type that shows up across all cultures and genres, tapping into something deeply human. These familiar roles act as narrative shorthand for writers and emotional anchors for readers. But rely too heavily on the blueprint, and you risk creating cardboard cutouts instead of characters readers actually feel.

So how do you keep these timeless roles from feeling tired? By twisting the familiar into something fresh, complex, and real. Let’s break down five popular archetypes and explore how to breathe new life into them.

1. The (Reluctant) Hero

Keywords: Brave ▪ Goal-driven ▪ Self-doubting ▪ Transformative ▪ Sacrificial

This character is called to something bigger than themselves, often against their will. Think Frodo Baggins or Katniss Everdeen—characters thrust into the spotlight and forced to rise above fear and flaw to protect others. Their reluctance often stems from trauma, self-doubt, or a fierce desire for normalcy. Watching them wrestle with that resistance is part of what makes them compelling. The power of this archetype lies in transformation: the moment when someone ordinary becomes something more.

2. The Mentor

Keywords: Wise ▪ Experienced ▪ Sacrificial ▪ Flawed ▪ Guiding

Mentors, like Obi-Wan Kenobi or Haymitch, guide the protagonist and prepare them for what’s to come, usually at great personal cost. They’re often haunted by failure or loss and may carry deep regret or secrets from their own journeys. Their role is to challenge the hero, not comfort them. They push them to grow beyond what they believe is possible. But mentors aren’t infallible. When you allow them to be flawed or even wrong, you open the door to richer, more dynamic relationships.

3. The Sage

Keywords: Mystical ▪ Knowledgeable ▪ Isolated ▪ Fallible ▪ Visionary

The Sage holds answers no one else can access. We know them as Gandalf, Dumbledore, or Yoda. They are mysterious, ancient, and wise. But if they’re always cryptic and untouchable, they risk feeling more like plot devices than people. What if they’re wrong? What if their wisdom comes at the cost of isolation, sacrifice, or shame? A Sage who wrestles with their knowledge—or the limits of it—can become one of your most layered and compelling characters.

4. The Lover

Keywords: Passionate ▪ Devoted ▪ Vulnerable ▪ Fierce ▪ Impulsive

The Lover brings emotional vulnerability to the story. They add tenderness, urgency, and stakes that go beyond survival. Whether it’s romantic or platonic, their deep emotional bond with another character often drives their choices—for better or worse. But if they exist only for romance, they lose their power. A fully realized Lover should have agency, passions, and conflicts of their own. Think more Feyre than Bella—someone who desires, but also decides.

5. The Villain

Keywords: Ambitious ▪ Justified ▪ Conflicted ▪ Ruthless ▪ Mirror to the hero

A good villain challenges everything your hero stands for. They create conflict by standing in the way of the hero’s goals. At their core, villains reflect the darker aspects of humanity: ambition, pride, vengeance, cruelty, or fear. They often force the hero to confront those same traits within themselves. But today’s readers want more than a mustache-twirling tyrant. The most memorable villains believe they’re the hero of their own story. Maybe they’ve been wronged. Maybe they’re right, but take it too far. Give them convictions, give them wounds, give them moments of doubt. That’s where a villain becomes unforgettable—not just as an obstacle, but as a mirror.

Now that we’ve mapped the five core archetypes, let’s look at how to wield them without falling into cliché

Archetypes Are a Tool, Not a Template

We need archetypes. They give readers something familiar to latch onto—a foundation for connection. But when used as rigid templates, they flatten stories and strip characters of complexity. 

So how do we use archetypes without becoming cliché?

Use Archetypes in Supporting Roles: Kathleen Bird, our special guest on Episode 4, uses archetypes for side characters, like the caregiver who watches over a princess. These characters might not need full arcs, but they still serve vital functions: driving conflict, highlighting the protagonist’s flaws, or deepening emotional impact. Archetypes can shine in the background without making your story feel too predictable.

Add Contradictions: Every archetype comes with built-in traits, but compelling characters have layers. Let them hold contradictions. A villain who shows mercy. A sage who lies. A hero who chooses themselves over others. That kind of internal tension is what makes characters unforgettable.

Take Merlin, for instance. He’s considered a sage, yet he’s sometimes portrayed as young and untried. He still fills the archetype’s role—but he complicates it with flaws and growth. That’s the kind of depth readers remember.

Ask "Why?": If your character feels flat, dig deeper. Why is the lover so intense? Why is the mentor so cold? What price did the sage pay for their wisdom?

In Bob’s Coyle and Fang series, for example, the villain is a skilled assassin who never had a choice in her actions. It’s all she’s ever known. But she’s guilt-ridden and painfully aware of what she’s done. That depth makes her unforgettable because she’s not just evil. She’s a person who has to live with what she’s become.

Let Them Act "Out of Character": Real people are inconsistent. Your characters should be too. Give them moments that break from their archetype, and make those moments feel earned.

As Austin said, “Acting out of character—that’s what makes us real people. To have real characters, they have to have out-of-character moments in realistic ways.” Surprise your readers with complexity, and they’ll remember your characters long after the final page.

Subvert Expectations: Let your readers think they know what’s coming—then take them somewhere better. What if the hero fails? What if the mentor betrays the mentee? What if the villain’s ideology makes more sense than the hero’s?

Don’t twist just for shock value. But if you can subvert an archetype while staying true to your character’s emotional arc, you’ll keep readers hooked.

In the End…

Character archetypes work because they reflect something universal. They give us a starting point. But if you want readers to care—to feel—don’t stop at the label. Use the archetype as a foundation. Then give your characters a past, a contradiction, and a spark that transforms them from familiar to unforgettable.

Want to go deeper into archetypes? Drop your questions below and tune in to Episode 4 of the Writers Realm Podcast for more!