What I’ve Learnt About Writing From Watching Daredevil: Born Again

On ways we can construct conflict for our characters that feels consistent with who they are and what their place in the world is...

Warning: Any spoilers ahead are completely unintended. While this is inspired by Daredevil: Born Again, the tips I’m discussing are not plot-specific. This isn’t a piece about my love of superheroes. It’s purely some thoughts about the writing to help your writing.

Often, we are working hard to give our characters conflict, obstacles, things to disrupt their flow state, their self-discovery, their true selves. And it can get laborious to constantly throw them off course. On top of that, when we’re struggling for drama, and thus relying on external events to drive them forward, the plot and story can start to diverge a little. How on earth do we maintain a steady hand when it comes to an interesting plot weaving itself through a compelling story arc for a character on a journey.

I was thinking about this while watching the opening episodes of the new Daredevil: Born Again series. Daredevil was always my number two favourite vigilante superhero after Spider-Man. And I think a lot of it was because Daredevil felt himself in the throes of something bigger than him. Sure, Spidey was powered by guilt. But Daredevil not only had guilt and regret, he had something else: his religion. It loomed large in his life. And it gave him something I think we can all give our characters.

… no, not religion…

… well, maybe, if that’s something you’re interested in…

… nope, wait for it…

It’s…