Superpowers!

Hey guys! It's been a while since I posted. I've been traveling a lot this summer and I went to two writing workshops. Plus I finished a massive revision on my latest YA (this book is trying to kill me) and played around with some picture books. So yeah, crazy!

I'm also a guest vlogger for August on Wednesdays at the YA Rebels. It's been a lot of fun so far. This week our topic is on Superpowers! And if you had a superpower what would it be?

Now I must admit I like this topic because I love to use superpowers in my books. So when creating characters with superpowers, where do you begin?

When I'm creating characters with superpower abilities, I first choose my character's superpower. This power will drive my character's motivations and conflict throughout the story so it's key that I pick the right one.

Superpower Categories (not comprehensive):

1. Energy Propulsion- these powers would control cosmic, gravitational, energy, or have telekinetic power
2. Mentality-based abilities- strong thinking powers
3. Physical or mental domination- think mind control for this one
4. Manipulation- can manipulate weather, temperatures, animals, plants, even reality warping
5. Travel and transportation- time travel, portals, omnipresence, summoning
6. Shape shifter- size shifting, elasticity, animal morphing, mimicry
7. Object based powers- like rings, amulets, books and such that give power.

Now once you have chosen a power for your character, your next step is:

1. Consider it's affects on your characters internal conflict and external conflict. How does this power affect your character in their daily life? Does it make them fearful of the world around them? Empowered? Does it limit them? How will this power change the character's life for good and bad?

2. Their antithesis- With every power you should bring in what stops their power. Think about Superman with his kryptonite. It's the object he knows that can neutralizes his powers and make him mortal. Now your character's kryptonite doesn't have to be an object. It could be a mental block or a fear. But by bringing in that antithesis, you are upping the stakes in your story.

So now that I've thrown some superpower fun ideas for your next novel, check out my vlog for examples of YA books that use superpowers.

Can you guess my superpower? And what do you think my antithesis is?


If you had a superpower, what would yours be?

~Christina Farley