So much of our character crafting stems organically from our own human experiences. But this typically isn’t enough. As writers – and especially as writers of middle grade fiction – if we want to connect with our readers, we have to use deliberate tools to bring our character’s strengths consistently to the front. They have to ring true, present consistently, and be relatable as people.
One character crafting tool that is very effective to bring out your protagonist’s deepest beliefs is what I call ‘Reverence For’.
When we think of reverence, we often think of sitting quietly in church. Bored. Possibly in trouble. But reverence is so much more than that. Your protagonist has deeply rooted beliefs that stir a sense of honor, deep respect, duty, and even love. These feelings are housed in their ‘core foundation’ and are a powerful piece of their actions and decisions.
Sometimes the word reverence tends to infer a religious belief – probably stemming from that image of sitting still during services – but it can also be part of a family connection, the natural world, or patriotism. There are many different core beliefs that can cause a child to feel reverence in a specific situation.
A moment of reverence
If you want your reader to get a glimpse of your protagonist’s core foundation, let them see a moment of reverence. This moment makes your MC pause from their normal intensity and give reverence for something they deeply respect. This ‘reverence for’ moment could be:
- A quick prayer to God
- A pause along the hike to take in the beautiful scene
- An extended hug with a beloved grandmother
- A salute to a flag
Giving your protagonist the opportunity to feel reverence in a moment will give your reader pause to recognize those deep foundational drivers. When your character feels reverence, the reader recognizes the weight of the moment and why it’s there.
I created a video to explain Reverence For in more detail and give some examples from great middle grade fiction of this tool being put to good use. Click here to watch the video Reverence For.
Finding your character’s core foundation
Reverence can be shown for family relationships – whether it’s a new baby, or an ancestor long since passed. It can be shown for the natural world – in its grandeur or in a tide pool. Reverence can be felt in a spiritual moment – in an appeal to God, or a recognition of God’s workings. It can be felt at the sight of a flag, or the sound of a train. There are many opportunities to show your reader in the moment what things your protagonist honors and deeply respects.
Want to bring your main character’s core foundation to the front? Want your reader to understand what they value without directly stating it? Reverence For is an excellent tool to do all that.
I’ve created this downloadable PDF worksheet Reverence For to help you plan through the process of identifying what your protagonist’s core foundation is, and how to represent that in your story.
Giving your reader the chance to see your main character having a moment of reverence helps them understand your MC on a much deeper level. Reverence for something makes your protagonist real and connectable to your reader.
How can you use the character crafting tool ‘Reverence For’?