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Talents and Skills Entry: Archery

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As writers, we want to make our characters as unique and interesting as possible. One way to do this is to give your character a special skill or talent that sets him apart from other people. This might be something small, like having a green thumb or being good with animals, to a larger and more competitive talent like stock car racing or being an award-winning film producer. 

When choosing a talent or skill, think about the personality of your character, his range of experiences and who his role models might have been. Some talents might be genetically imparted while others are created through exposure (such as a character talented at fixing watches from growing up in his father’s watch shop) or grow out of interest (archery, wakeboarding, or magic). Don’t be afraid to be creative and make sure the skill or talent is something that works with the scope of the story. 

archeryDescription: the ability to hit a target at long range using a bow and arrow. Some archers work solely with stationary targets, while others practice on both stationary and moving objects. Archers…

Beneficial Strengths or Abilities: concentration, strength, strong eyesight, flexibility, being a skilled tracker, having knowledge…

Character Traits Suited for this Skill or Talent: focus, perfectionism, self-controlled, studious, disciplined…

Required Resources and Training: contemporary archers can practice at indoor ranges or outdoor (either stationary and 3D) ranges, as well as one’s own property with either a natural barrier (such as hillside) or man-made barrier (foam blocks, special nets  or hay bales) to catch any stray arrows. Understanding how…

Associated Stereotypes and Perceptions:

  • That archers are loners who prefer nature to people
  • That archers are reckless (shooting close enough to scare someone, but not wound used as a plot device to show incredible skill and/or a bad temper)

Resources for Further Information:

Basic Archery Techniques

Archery For Writers: A Primer

Arrow Wounds & Treatment on the Western Frontier

A Writer’s Guide to Bows (part 1, 2, 3 & 4)

Talents and skills not only make our characters stand out, they often help them attain their goals. So choosing them strategically can greatly enhance both the character and the story. 

If this is something you’d like to learn more about, you can find the entries in their entirety at One Stop For Writers, where all our thesauruses are cross-referenced and linked for easy navigation. If you’re interested in seeing a free sampling of the Talent and Skill Thesaurus and our other descriptive collections, head on over and register at One Stop!

photo credit: eyedea via photopin cc

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Bagheri says

    Thank you for your useful subjects.Would you please tell us about characteristics of a talent in archery ?
    What are the characteristics of physical and mental and other special profile of an
    successful archery?
    Best regards
    Bagheri

  2. C. Lee McKenzie says

    I love this part of creating a character. It takes me a while to come up with that special talent, but when I do, it’s integral to the story and focuses me on how the plot will go. Thanks again for the information you share.

  6. Julie Musil says

    Great post about archery! My hubby and sons set up a hay bale in our valley and used to shoot arrows all the time. Thanks for the reminder to give our characters unique skills. I’m going to check out your list.

  7. Debbie Erickson says

    Thanks for the Talent and Skilled post on Archery!
    I’ve recently decided that one of my female characters will be skilled in this area. I appreciate it!

    • Maryann D'Amico says

      Hi.Thank you for this insightful and inspiring post. I have enjoyed it very much.I have built a Mission for Non-Violence with the theme of archery. Using my song, ” Arrow In the Wind”,I created videos and web galleries with the theme of “Let Love Be Your Target.” Stop the Violence.Choosing to look at a spiritual parallel of archery and the perfect Target for humanity being Love has been quite a journey and still going! Self control and Patience are some of the spiritual character traits required for non-violence that reach deep into the roots of the perfect Target for humanity to
      stop the violence.The spiritual archer must also put hundreds of hours into practice and study of virtue’s that will strengthen their spirit to be able to become efficient peacemakers in this world.The skilled Spiritual Archer must also learn how to stand on the various grounds of working for non-violence and becoming more and more peaceful themselves.Learning from others who have achieved peace also will help to “speed the learning curve” of the practice of Peace.The parallels of archery to the spiritual life are quite significant.Those who strive to attain peace must not be reckless because the arrow is meant to target Love. So, a reckless
      archer can cause grave harm if the arrow is used for harm and without careful consideration.Choosing Archery as a theme for non-violence has taught me to search and practice even more.But,Your insights into all of this have been excellent.I appreciate what you have done here! It has opened my mind as well. Many wishes for great success as a writer! Peace be with you!