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<\/figure>\n\n\n\nMentor characters are found in most stories, and they play an important role in the MC\u2019s character arc. They often teach important skills to the MC in the form of physical combat, knowledge, or relationship advice. However, the mentor character can (and should) go much deeper than that. They should at least partially represent the Truth that either the MC already believes in, or will come to believe in by the end of the story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
So let\u2019s take a look at a few tips to help you write a great mentor character:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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- The Truth<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
The biggest thing that a mentor character does is represent the Truth to the MC\u2014especially when the MC is in a Positive Change Arc. The mentor will guide the MC on their journey with the Truth, and will give them advice throughout the story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Often, the mentor character will be some kind of Flat Arc. However, as we\u2019ll see later on in this post, that doesn\u2019t always have to be the case.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nIn the Bible, a great example of a mentor who represents the Truth is Samuel. He guides both Saul and David through their journeys. As we see, his advice doesn\u2019t always prevail\u2026 Saul eventually disregards Samuel\u2019s words of wisdom. But Samuel never budges from his stance on the Truth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nAnother good example of this is in \u201cThe Baker Family Adventure\u201d series. While there are a variety of Truths expressed throughout the 8-book series, as well as several Flat Arcs who hold to these Truths, one man stands out to me. Jigson (aka Haelix) is a secret agent who often comes to the Bakers\u2019 rescue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, he is more than just a hero\u2014he\u2019s also their friend. Millie, Briosa, Phil, Rolf, Abby, Andy, Tom, Garth, Fergus, Alistair, Cassidy, Miguel de Cervantes (it\u2019s a code name), Detective Mortimer, Dr. Roth, Sigurd, and, yes, even Trina Verton and Daiin\u2026 these are all characters whom Jigson mentors and helps at different points in their journeys. And the best thing about it is that he doesn\u2019t just give advice about the Truth\u2014he lives that Truth out in his life, even in the face of death.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Flawed<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
While the mentor character should<\/em> state and represent the Truth, that\u2019s only to an extent. Even the greatest characters have flaws, and mentor characters are no exception. But these flaws help make your characters realistic, relatable, and unexpected.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nIn the Bible, one flawed mentor character is Eli. He brings Samuel up and helps him understand the importance of his calling. However, Eli also failed to discipline and rear his own sons\u2026 which cause major consequences later on.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nIn the movie \u201cOvercomer,\u201d Thomas mentors John Harrison, the discouraged basketball coach turned cross-country coach. He also later mentors Hannah, his estranged daughter. And while, in the present, he seems to be a very wise man, the movie reveals that it wasn\u2019t always this way. In fact, Thomas is basically the reason for Hannah\u2019s struggles to find her identity, as well as her grandmother\u2019s bout with bitterness. While he has<\/em> changed his ways, there\u2019s no denying that his past sins are still having consequences in the present.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Exclusive and insightful outlook<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Especially in a story with a large cast of characters, you need to let your audience\u2014and the MC\u2014know exactly why the mentor character is worthy of this role. How is he any different from the next guy?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Your mentor character should have some kind of knowledge\u2014both about the Truth, as well as the MC\u2019s situation\u2014that other characters don\u2019t have. He should be able to look at the MC and, to some extent, be able to say \u201cI\u2019ve been there, and I know what you need to do.\u201d You need to give your MC a reason to listen to the mentor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nElizabeth, the mother of John the Baptist, is a good example of this. She\u2019s older and wiser than her cousin, Mary, but they both have something in common. Both are pregnant through the miraculous hand of God. From what we read in the Bible, it appears that Elizabeth was somewhat of a mentor to Mary. After all, she was the one whom Mary went to after she\u2019d been visited by the angel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nIn the movie \u201cDo You Believe?\u201d Percy, a young gang member searching for the truth, winds up in a church after running from the police. He is greeted by Joe, a muscular man with a mysterious tattoo, who tells him, \u201cI\u2019ve been where you\u2019re going.\u201d Joe is just the man to show Percy that there is a better way to live\u2014and that there is forgiveness through Christ.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Joe also mentors Samantha, a homeless, single mom to a little girl. He helps Samantha and her daughter out, sacrificing his own health to do so. He also encourages Samantha to seek God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\n- \n
- Unexpected<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
When you think of a mentor, you usually think of an old man with a long, gray beard and the ability to speak in proverbs. But mentors don\u2019t<\/em> always have to be like that. Your mentor can be anyone\u2026 even the antagonist can mentor the MC in some ways. So choose the mentor character that best suits your story\u2019s needs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nDaniel in the Bible is a surprising mentor. While we often think of him as the old man who spent a night in the lions\u2019 den, there was a time when he wasn\u2019t such an old man. In fact, when he first came to Babylon, he was just a boy. Yet God used him to mentor the most powerful king in the world at that time\u2014Nebuchadnezzar.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nIn the movie \u201cTreasure Planet,\u201d the antagonist, Long John Silver, mentors Jim. At first, Silver simply uses the Truth to befriend the boy. However, as their relationship grows, Silver begins to genuinely care about Jim and to actually believe the Truth that he talks about. In the end, Silver gives up his Want to rescue Jim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/div>\n\n\n\nIn a story I wrote several years ago, one of the mentor characters was a crazy uncle named Tucker Rowley. Uncle Tuck typically said things that made almost no sense, and his nephew, Brandon, usually ignores him. Tuck is also a minor antagonist, which makes him even less trustworthy. However, he plays the role of mentor for Brandon even as he holds him captive. When Brandon is at his lowest, Uncle Tuck is the one who unintentionally states the Truth to him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
- Unexpected<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Exclusive and insightful outlook<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
- Flawed<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n