The Creator Archetype - Everything You Need to Know
This is the ninth article in our fifteen-part masterclass on archetypes. Learn more about archetypes in our first article.
To the surprise of very few, the Creator character archetype embodies those who like to make things. Usually some sort of artist, inventor, scientist, musician, or writer, Creator archetypes are usually single-minded in their pursuit to bring something new into the world.
Like all character archetypes, the Creator exists because this passion to make things is a cross-cultural, timeless set of traits that most people can identify and understand pretty easily.
But like all the other archetypes, Creators are simple, two-dimensional characters. They require complexity and flaws. They can be amazing but must also be fallible. So, for those reasons, we’re going to talk about:
- What the Creator Archetype is
- What Creators do
- Common Creator characteristics
- Creators in popular culture
This is the ninth article in our fifteen-part masterclass on archetypes. Learn more about archetypes in our first article to see all the different ways you can make your characters more complex and believable.
What is the Creator Archetype?
When I say that Creators like to make things, that is intentionally vague. The Creator archetype is like an umbrella that can hold many different types of characters.
Perhaps one Creator is a sculptor, while another only cares about creating a new medical invention.
Regardless of what their creation is, Creators only care about bringing that thing to life. As a result, they use their imagination and creativity to push the boundaries of what we know and what is real. If it already exists, a Creator really doesn’t care about it. Recreating or repeating something is meaningless to this archetype.
Creators are trailblazers, renaissance people, leaders, and forward thinkers. Others will view this character as ahead of their time and obsessively committed to perfecting that one thing.
To a Creator, second place is as bad as last place and nothing will stand in the way of realizing their creation.
What Do Creator Archetypes Do?
Creators can play pivotal roles in fiction. Though they usually aren’t the main character, stories in the speculative fiction genres might feature a Creator archetype who is pivotal in saving the world, like a scientist making a cure or an inventor finishing their awesome robot with rocket launchers and laser eyes.
In more realistic settings, Creators can solve a math problem or complete their artistic masterpiece. In these cases, the Creator might be the protagonist, depending on what that math problem or piece of art means to the story.
Reversing roles, Creators can also make great villains and antagonists. A mad scientist is a Creator when their creation is a virus or a world-destroying super weapon. A serial killer can be a Creator if their macabre art is made through murder.
In fact, the obsession of a Creator and their willingness to sacrifice themselves and those around them in pursuit of their creation can be used to craft fantastic villains.
What Are Typical Creator Archetype Characteristics?
Because of their obsession with their invention or art, Creators combine strong traits of talent and narrowmindedness. This is a common thread amongst most Creators, but there are some traits, positive and negative, that you can apply to your Creator character to make them familiar and relatable to your reader.
For the more positive traits, Creators can be:
- Authentic
- Creative
- Driven
- Imaginative
- Intelligent (even if only in their own way)
- Non-conforming
- Passionate
- Practical
- Talented
In the pursuit of their creation, this archetype is also:
- Egotistical
- Immoral
- Impulsive
- Insensitive
- Perfectionists
- Selfish
- Single-minded
- Unreliable
Creators fear mediocrity above all else and will do anything they can, no matter the cost, to avoid it. To accomplish this, Creators push their intelligence and creativity to their limits, braving new trails. Most Creators will walk this path alone, as the majority of those who fall under this archetype are introverts, yet a shocking number of them can have god complexes.
Examples Of The Creator Archetypes in Popular Culture
Creators have been staples in pop culture for decades. When it comes to these sorts of characters, it is easy for the audience to connect with their desire to accomplish something bigger than themselves, even if that desire isn’t a very nice one. Here are some of the more well-known Creators in pop culture.
Iron Man/Tony Stark from Marvel comics and the MCU is probably the most popular Creator in modern storytelling. It’s Tony’s Creator traits that push him to create the first Iron Man suit while he is being held prisoner, allowing him to escape. But after that, he continues to make new Iron Man suits, improving his creation to tackle any threat that might present itself.
Dr. Victor Frankenstein isn’t as popular today as in the past, but he is the gold standard for a flawed Creator. A brilliant doctor, Frankenstein stops at nothing to bring his creation to life. He robs graves to assemble body parts, but is ultimately disappointed when his creation doesn’t live up to his standards (because it’s so ugly, which is rude). Frankenstein then pays the price for his creation through the death of those around him, specifically his newly wedded wife, and ends up dedicating his life to destroying the monster.
Karen Eiffel from Stranger Than Fiction is a Creator who is, for all intents and purposes, the antagonist of her story. Karen is an author who always kills off her characters, unaware that what she writes happens to real people. When confronted with the reality of what she writes, Karen has a psychological breakdown where she struggles to reconcile the harm that her creations cause. Eventually, she does change the ending to her book to save Harold Crick, but even that is a difficult choice for her.
Craft a Complex Creator in Dabble
Creators are characters who can play many different roles in your stories—protagonists, antagonists, secondary, or tertiary characters—and add a lot of complexity through their actions and thoughts.
But creating such complex characters isn’t easy! That’s why Dabble was built to house all your story and character notes in one place, just a single click away from your story. If you’re ready to craft your own Creator and write an awesome book, click here to try Dabble for fourteen days, completely free, no credit card required.
Happy writing!
SHARE THIS:
TAKE A BREAK FROM WRITING...
Read. Learn. Create.
Characters are the most important part of any story. They are the beating heart and the blood that flows through your novel’s veins. Yes, your plot and world and story structure are also important, but most people will fall in love with a book because they love the characters.
If you’re planning to become an indie author, one of the first things you might be wondering is: how do you price a self-published book?
Can't get a clear answer on how many scenes should be in a chapter? Here's how to calculate the answer for your book.
There's no easy way to determine how many chapters you should have in your book, but let's figure out how many will work for you.
You’ve cobbled together 100K words of sheer brilliance, but now you must tackle the hardest task. How do you write book titles, anyway?
Looking for great writing exercises for fiction writers? We've got you covered with prompts to inspire story, character, and more.
How much do authors make? It's a question every writer asks at least once. We break it down for you in this blog!
Theses six steps can help show you how to become a fiction writer. Figure out what works best for you!
Want to learn the secret of how to overcome writer's block? You've got to get to the root of the problem. We can help.
Fight scenes are what some readers live for, but writing them can be tough. Let's dissect how to write a fight scene in your novel.
Romance tropes are the heartbeat of what makes romance novels feel like cozy sweaters you want to snuggle into.
Not sure how to describe clothing writing? It's easier (and more fun) than you might think. Here's everything you need to know.
Character motivation is essential in creating characters your readers will care about. Learn about the types of motivation with Dabble!
How to start a first chapter: include action, character, plot, emotion, and motivation or you’re going to lose your reader.
Want to learn how to write exposition that's not so explainy? Divulge compelling backstory using these tried-and-true tips.
English is whack. Let's make something better. Here's how to create a fictional language in four simple steps.
How long should your chapters be? On average, chapters tend to range from 1,000-5,000 words, with most falling in the 2,000-4,000 range.
Need original character questions to inspire your work in progress? Dig deep with these one-of-a-kind character interview questions.
It isn't easy to write a good villain, at least not without the right ingredients. Let Dabble give you the perfect recipe for a villain!
There are a lot of pieces of writing advice you can ignore, but here’s one you shouldn’t: you need to include character goals in your story.
Why does character motivation matter? Find out why a thrilling plot is not enough and how to design motivation that resonates with readers.
Outlining your future bestseller isn't easy! But we break it down for you so you can plan a novel that rocks.
You might be wondering: how long does it take to write a book? The answer depends on a variety of factors.
Here are sixty-five character development questions, plus tips on how and when to interview your characters. Get inspired and get unstuck!
Conflict is what makes books worth reading. Join us as we explore the four types of conflict you can use to make you story memorable!
Do you have a writer in your life who needs a gift? Check out this list of 61 gifts for writers that will help them with their author dreams.
Need character ideas for your next story? Find a ton of original ideas and brainstorming questions right here!
The words you use to start a story are some of the most important you'll write. We'll help make sure you get them right!
A character flaw is a fault, limitation, or weakness that can be internal or external factors that affect your character and their life.
The Seducer/Seductress archetype can help you craft unforgettable villains and surprisingly sympathetic anti-heroes. Learn how.
The Orphan archetype makes for both inspiring heroes and unsettlingly sympathetic villains. Learn how to use this archetype in your story.
Explore the fundamentals of the Outlaw Archetype and how they serve your story. Explore famous examples of Outlaws in popular media.
The Common Person or Everyman is a powerful archetype that can instantly relate to your readers. Learn how to use it in your writing!
The caregiver archetype is more than a saint. Learn how to craft a fascinating, flawed, and deep-souled caregiver for your story.
The Ruler archetype is one of the most recognizable and is about stability and maintaining order through control and power.
The Creator Archetype breathes life into their art, often to an obsessive level. Learn all about using this archetype in your writing!
Get to know the Innocent archetype, from Buddy the Elf to Andy Dwyer. Learn how to write this lovable (and sometimes chaotic) character.
The Sage archetype is an important one in all storytelling—one that can either help or hinder the protagonist's journey in your book.
Explorer Archetypes long for adventure and seek out new places, ideas, and experiences to live a thrilling, exciting, and fulfilling life.
What is the Jester archetype? Find out what you need to know to give your funniest character true purpose and depth.
Lover archetypes embrace the love they hold for friends, family, their gods, or simply the world around them.
The Magician archetype is one of the most popular archetypes in writing. In this blog, we explain everything you need to know about Magicians!
What is the hero archetype? From epic heroes to anti-heroes, here's everything you need to know about crafting a compelling hero.
The seven basic plot points offer perhaps what is the most open-ended of the structure archetypes with broad, high-level descriptions.
Chekhov's Gun is a fundamental principle in writing. Join us as we examine what this principle is so you can apply it to your own writing.
What is three-act structure? Learn why this story structure is so effective and whether it can help you plot your novel.
Save the Cat is one of the most popular ways of drafting screenplays and novels in modern storytelling.
The Hero's Journey is a classic story structure. Learn why it's so popular among writers and how to apply it to your own storytelling.
We call it John Gardner's aquatic monstrosity, the Fichtean Curve is a narrative structure that can help you easily plan out your novel.
We break down Randy Ingermanson's Snowflake Method, a type of outlining that can make writing your book much easier and faster.
A New York City story coach shares her best tips on how to create compelling characters. She walks through each step in the process.
Learn about Dan Harmon's Story Circle—what it is, how it can help you plot your novel, and whether it's right for you.
One of the original story structures, Freytag's Pyramid is the foundation for dramatic stories and tragedies. Learn all about it with Dabble!
Learn how to write a children's book with this ultimate guide and template for designing a story that resonates with young readers.
In this article, we’ll explore what active and passive writing is and when you should use them. Contrary to some beliefs, sometimes passive voice does make sense. Not everything you write should or needs to be active (though it should be most of the time).
Editing your book can be a daunting task. In this article, we breakdown the different types of editing and when you should apply them.
Learn how to write a book synopsis that gets the attention of agents and publishers. It's easier than you think.
3rd-person limited or 1st-person epistolary? Here is what you need to know about narrative point of view and your story.
Story structures are the frameworks that tie your story together. A story structure can help guide your book to be the best it can be!
Bestselling author Kristina Stanley breaks down the three questions you need to ask to self-edit your book's characters, plot, and setting.
Which of the four character arc types is right for your story? And what is a character arc?
To write a romance you need to manage three separate arcs: your main character, your love interest, and the romance itself.
Character archetypes can help you write complex, three-dimensional characters. Learn more about them, including 14 common types, with Dabble.
Learn how to write a book in this ultimate guide. Plus find editing tips, map out a publishing journey, & download a free outlining template.
Unsure of how to start writing? This easy guide and checklist will help you turn your writing dreams into a reality.
Writing with proper punctuation can feel like the hardest part of writing. Don't worry, we've made a Beginner's Guide to Punctuation to help!
Plot is pretty much everything that happens in your story. So let's look at some methods that can help map out your story.
Snag this free, downloadable character development worksheet, designed to help you craft compelling characters and write an unputdownable story.
Finishing your first draft is quite possibly the biggest challenge you'll face as a fiction writer. To be successful, where should you start?
The publishing landscape is always changing, so many writers wonder: should I pay a publisher? Let's take a look at all your publishing options.
Time to learn one of the most powerful tools in your arsenal. Welcome to the Plot Grid.
Author's tone is an abstract, slippery concept. But once you've mastered this skill in your writing, you'll have a powerful tool for captivating readers.
It's time to start writing. Get started by setting goals, and removing some sneaky myths from your mind.
If you’re embarking on a topic that requires a lot of research, you might wonder where you even begin. How do you make use of all those juicy tidbits, and what kind of process should you use to ensure complete and total accuracy?
Writing well requires preparation. Set up your space, gather your tools, and adjust your mindset to crush your writing goals.
You have the knowledge and you have the tools. Time to become the writer you want to be. You got this!
Today we’re going to look at story beats to help craft your romance novel. Beats are specific points of significance that occur in stories that a) help keep the tension up and b) help drive the story forward. They can also be extremely useful in helping you map out your story before you dive into your first draft.
Not sure how to become a successful author—or if it's even possible? Learn exactly what it takes to make it as a writer.
Your writing method will determine a lot about your process. Are you a Plotter or a Pantser?
Have you every wondered whether you can make a living as a writer? It is far from easy, but we break down the way you can achieve your dreams as a career author.
Antagonists are some of the most important types of characters in stories, but also some of the most difficult to write. Let's breakdown what makes a good antagonist.
Prose describes how you write your book, and it can be challenging to get right. So, in this article, we cover what makes good prose.
Characters are the heart of a story. Let's talk about arcs, conflict, and growth.
Theme is subtle, tricky, and will likely be the most effective way to get your audience emotionally engaged. So how do you do it?
First person narrative is when you write using the words “I”, “us”, or “we”. It’s when your story is told through the eyes of one person and we spend time in their head, hearing their thoughts and seeing what they see.
Creating character arcs isn't for the faint of heart. You've got to be ruthless. You've got to be strategic. And it also helps to read this step-by-step guide.
We've got you covered with the best character template ever to help bring your story's characters to life!
Characters come with traits, flaws, problems and much more. Time to dig into those and start giving some depth to them.