Should My Character Gain Powers?

[Reign]

Hi, guys! I'm a little stuck right now. I've got a superhero novel that I'm working on - just to pass the time while I'm on a road trip. It was created for NaNoWriMo, and I'm picking it back up. However, I wanted some opinions. I'm trying to figure out if I want a powerless main character, or a character that gains powers later in the book. On NaNoWriMo, a lot of people were saying that it would be more interesting if the main character didn't have powers, because a lot of books always have the main character with powers. I'm at a point in the novel where the character will actually have to make a decision that will give him powers, and that's why I'm asking for feedback in this forum. I know it's ultimately up to me, but I'm wondering what your guy's thoughts would be for this question?

[unknown_user]

It highly depends on the character themselves, the setting and the plot. Some powers are appropriate for some settings and characters, and some don't. Besides, these powers (or lack of them) may affect the plot drastically. So I'd suggest to think, how will the plot develop with powers, and then compare it to the plot, how it would go without powers. Then to think, which plot will you like more. I dunno, what else to suggest without additional info

[Reign]

Okay! That's a good idea! This is pretty much the synopsis if the main character gains powers:

Paragon, the project to make humans perfect. A chip, placed in the back of the head, that will target human weaknesses within the composition of the body, and turn them into strengths to be used to better human life. This was the lie told to people before they signed up for the experiment. In secrecy, they were taken to a facility and were tested on to make sure that Paragon would work. It left many deaths, and few successes. With no knowledge of the place, the federal government could not stop the project. However, a young man named Jayce discovered them through the dark web and the secrets were leaked to a friend, who later discovered that Jayce went missing. Trying to put the pieces together, while also being hunted down by the same organization, now has to decide if he, too, should join Paragon to break it from the inside.

He'd end up gaining powers because he gives himself in to the organization to find his friend, resulting in him gaining said powers. If he doesn't, then he's just sneaking through the facility to get his friend out. And then they get chased down by the organization, battles ensue, yadda yadda.

[storytimebiondi]

Like @tired_programmer said, it really depends on your plot.

But I also feel it depends on what KIND of story you want to tell. What is your intent with the story? I feel like your intent with the story really is your deciding factor for how the character develops, or gains powers. If it's an exploration of the interaction between superheroes and common man, then a main character without powers may be the way to go.

[Reign]

@storytimebiondi

Yeah, that makes sense. So it all will come down to intention, then. So far all I know is that I've always wanted to create a superhero story, so I guess in that regard, it would be good to make a character that has super powers.

[AniStaciaArt]

It could be an interesting story, but like any comic it really comes down to execution. Reading your synopsis there's a lot that could confuse readers and there's a long time before it becomes a "superhero story" so you're going to need some really amazing quality to keep your readers hanging around for the payoff.

[Reign]

@prodigiumcomic

Just so I can know what to fix or make the execution better, what's confusing?

[DokiDokiTsuna]

Probably late, but, I just wanted to let you know that the 'main character without powers' might not be as original an idea as those people think. Right off the top of my head, I can remember a series that used it: Ordinary Boy. It was one of my favorites when I was a kid (although I never did read all the books, you know how libraries are).

The main character was the only one in the city (maybe the world...?) who didn't have any special abilities, on account of his mother's ice powers and his dad's fire powers 'cancelled each other out'. I think his secret backstory was that he actually did have powers that were time-travel related, and somehow he was made to forget them...but like I said, I never finished the series. ^^;

Anyway, I'm just saying that if the idea to keep the main character 'powerless' is solely rooted in the hope that it'll make your story more unique, then you can probably afford to let it go if you want to.

[Reign]

Yeah, that was one of the sole reasons. The powers in my book are gained by a chip that’s implanted in the stem of the brain. It turns human frailties into strengths in an attempt to create a perfect person with no weaknesses. (One of the characters has tremors. The chip compensated by allowing him to control himself in such a way that he can use vibrations to break up earth and create earthquakes and so forth.) So in reality, it’s not a super human society. It’s just a matter of choosing if the main character will receive the surgery. That is good to know, though.

[therealbereth]

Regarding your question about the premise/blurb, I think it lacks a bit in focus. You give out a lot of details that aren't really relevant for luring in readers, and which kinda clash with what you're saying about it being a superhero story. It sounds more like a spy thriller kind of thing?

I know from experience how hard it is to cut back on information for the blurb, as I am especially BAD at this. XD But I think it could benefit from first figuring out for yourself what the theme is, in the end.

Which brings me to your original question: power or no power?

The way I see your premise now, it feels as if developing your MC into a person who abhors this organization could lead to an interesting moral conflict if the finds out that he NEEDS exactly their powers to help his friend. What is the price of this power? That question leaps at me when I look at your premise. What price is he willing to pay? What drawbacks does it bring?

One of the most poignant sentences to date from superhero stories, for me, is: "With great power comes great responsibility." But great power also always comes with a price, so maybe that is something you could expand on?

As @tired_programmer already said, however, that kinda depends on your story. Again, your theme. Guess you have some figuring out to do?

[Reign]

Yeah, definitely. It’s meant to be a kind of origin story. You make a ton of great points.

[therealbereth]

Good superhero stories are super hard (heh), so I haven't tried my hand on them yet, but I think you're getting into them quite well. Just trust your guts; I am sure you will find the answers.

[AniStaciaArt]

@Reign I'm not sure I can give specifics because how you tell the story might clear up everything and make perfect sense. Just from the quick synopsis you wrote the part about the chip targeting weakness within the composition of the body could just be simplified into "Amazing new computer chip grants super powers! (Company not liable if your super power is to be maimed in a horrific death)"

Also you'll have to market it as a mystery story or your readers are going to be mad that it takes 5 chapters for anything superhero-ish to happen. I have a superhero comic that takes 20 whole pages to set the backstory before anything hero happens. I'm amazed I have any readers yet. lol

[DiegoPalacios]

Maybe your protagonist can steal one of the chips, but he doesnt use it yet.

Perhaps he took it to investigate further what exactly are they doing to the people. Also, in an extremely desperate situation, he or a friend may use it as a last resort just to survive, with all the consequences that entails.

If he doesnt gain powers he can defeat his foes by outsmarting them, setting traps, clever preparation when he knows the enemy`s powers. Even spying them to figure out how to defeat them and knowing when to escape.

[Reign]

@prodigiumcomic @DiegoPalacios @therealbereth

All of those are really good points and ideas! Thank you so much! I do agree that it’s pretty unfocused. The whole plot was changed last minute for a NaNoWriMo, and so far the plot points have been all over the place in the rough draft.

[Short_Insomiac]

what I like to do with characters and powers, is I have them use their powers in more unique and creative ways when they have to.
like maybe someone who controls water realizes that they can take huge tons of water from plants, and they can freeze it by stilling the particles inside the water, ect. ect.

[Insanebaker92]

It depends on your story and the genre. If your writing a story that has superpowers, then go for it. If your story is slice of life, then don't add powers to your character.

If you're giving your character powers, you must SHOW us about how he gets it.

[LT1986]

Most of the comics that I read deal with characters that have powers. I do like stories about characters that don't have powers, too. Those stories have to be extra good, though to make up for the lack of powers.

[RiidDisBuk]

Ayy! I'm doing a hero novel myself.

Try giving him something like matter or time manipulation.You know, something rather compelling.

[Reign]

@RiidDisBuk

Sorry for the late reply! Great to know that you’re doing a hero novel, too! The power I’m going for is being able to absorb sound and shoot it out in shock waves. The stronger he wants the shockwave, the more he absorbs, but there’s a limit or else his brain will explode from the pressure.