One thing that has always bugged me in fantasy books is the overused trope of the heroine suddenly discovering hidden powers and instantly mastering them. You know the ones: she picks up a sword for the first time and somehow defeats the kingdom’s strongest warrior, or she unlocks a magical ability and immediately controls it with ease.
In my WIP, Project Ember, I wanted something different. My heroine struggles.
She’s not naturally gifted in combat or magic. She fails—sometimes spectacularly. She doubts herself. And yes, there are real consequences for her mistakes. Her growth doesn’t come from hidden talent or destiny, but from resilience, persistence, and the willingness to get back up after falling.
This choice was inspired by my own life. Take yoga, for example. I’ve been practicing for years, and progress hasn’t been instant. Flying poses didn’t come naturally to me—I had to build strength, improve my balance, and learn through trial and error. My journey wasn’t glamorous, but it was authentic.
That’s exactly the kind of reality I wanted for my heroine. Because let’s be honest—most of us don’t master things on the first try. Most of us have to work for our skills, whether it’s in sports, academics, or creative pursuits. Seeing a character reflect that same truth feels more inspiring to me than watching someone succeed without effort.
My hope is that readers will connect with her journey because it mirrors their own. After all, isn’t it more powerful when a character earns their strength instead of having it handed to them by fate?
So tell me—do you prefer characters who are naturally gifted, or ones who grind, fail, and grow along the way?
Elizabeth Yuen 