45 Master Characters by Victoria Lynn Schmidt Read Free Book Online Page A

for the Beast (a Recluse archetype) makes her an example of a Nurturer.
    When things are going well she cares about providing for the entire group and bestows amazing gifts to people she hardly knows. The sick people she cares for call her an angel.
    She cares about charities and volunteers when she has free time.
    She sometimes lives on eggshells, making sure everyone else is happy before she examines how she feels.
    What Does the Nurturer Fear?
    The Nurturer fears losing the person in her care. Her whole identity and reason to live depends upon caring for another. It makes her angry when someone accuses her of destroying the independence of the person in her care in order to protect him from a danger that may not exist.
    She fears not being there to save her child. If anything happens she'll take all the guilt upon herself and fall into a devastating depression. She can't help it. Grief consumes her, and she makes everyone else around her suffer.
    She couldn't stand it if her child or patient left. She needs to be needed and is a prime candidate for “empty-nest syndrome.”
    She's not into self-analysis because she's afraid of her own thoughts and emotions. She hates quiet time because she doesn't like to think about her “stuff.” She'd rather be busy with anything else to avoid it.
    What Motivates the Nurturer?
    Love and belonging are strong motivators for her. She likes being connected with someone. Give her a family and she'll bestow gifts upon them as long as they allow her to care for them. She would definitely adopt a sick child.
    Motherhood and nurturing give her a reason to live. She'll do anything to save this precious relationship. Demeter was very strong as she was able to denounce all the other gods and hold fast to her goal of getting her daughter back. The Nurturer admires that part of the story.
    How Do Other Characters See the Nurturer?
    Some see her as dependent, needy and passive aggressive.
    She tends to take on many tasks at once, trying to please so many people, overwhelming herself.
    She's not concerned with being sexy and doesn't care much for the latest fashions. She can be a very beautiful woman but seems not to realize it.
    Developing the Character Arc
    Look at your character's main goal in the story and then at the fears you've selected to use against her. What does she need to learn to overcome her fear? Does she need to learn to let go of her children and find a career? Does she need to stand up for herself and speak her mind without worrying about hurting others? Does she need to let her children grow up and leave home?
    Very often the Nurturer needs to let go of her attachment to others and find her own identity. She needs to learn that she can take care of herself and that being alone sometimes can be refreshing. A hobby such as yoga and writing can help her find self-love.
    What happened to her at an early age to make this archetype dominate her personality? Was her mother not there for her and now she wants to make up for that by being there for others? Did she have to help raise her siblings as a child? Was she given dolls and told being a mother is the greatest thing in the world? Was there a special woman in her life, like a teacher, who helped her and now she wants to give back?
    To grow, this archetype is best paired with one of the following:
    The Woman's Man — can nurture her back and show her what it feels like to be in an equal relationship with another.
    The Recluse — can teach her the value of being alone and knowing herself.
    The Gorgon — can teach her the harsh realities of life and how to stop people from walking all over her.
    The Mystic — can teach her self-love.
THE NURTURER
    Assets:
Spends a lot of time with her children or students or patients, whoever is in her care.
Puts others ahead of herself.
Is driven to help people.
Is wonderful to be around.
Is extremely helpful.
Is a great listener.
Is committed to her family.
Is generous.
Enjoys staying home most of