Reshaping Heroes: How Modern Authors Are Revolutionizing Representation in Fiction
Mainstream media, particularly action movies of the 1980s and 1990s, have long shaped the traditional concept of a hero. However, authors challenge these conventional narratives by reimagining what a hero can be, especially within the LGBTQ+ community.
I recently appeared on the podcast Authors’ Allies and discussed how a hero isn’t what we were maybe brought up to think of as a hero when it comes to representation in movies and books we read as kids. This reshaping of heroic characters is significant for elder millennials who grew up without seeing themselves represented in mainstream media.
As a child, I would often mentally rewrite action movies and other content to include LGBTQ+ characters. This practice highlights a significant gap in representation that modern authors are now working to fill. By creating diverse heroes in their work, they're providing current representation and giving us a piece of our childhood back that maybe we didn't have.
The impact of this representation extends beyond the LGBTQ+ community. When straight readers encounter these reimagined heroes, they often realize these characters are "just like everybody else." This recognition helps bridge understanding and demonstrates that heroism isn't limited by sexual orientation or gender identity.
Contemporary authors are showing that heroes can be:
Socially awkward
Shy
Complex individuals with various personality traits
Members of underrepresented communities
People who don't fit traditional hero stereotypes
By reshaping what it means to be a hero, authors are creating more inclusive narratives that reflect the diverse world we live in. This evolution in storytelling doesn't just provide representation—it helps readers understand that heroism comes in many forms and that everyone deserves to see themselves as the hero of their own story.
The message is clear: heroes exist in all communities, and modern literature has the power to show that diversity makes our stories richer and more authentic.
To hear more of my conversation with Rebecca, the host of Authors’ Allies, check out the podcast on Spotify.
