The Complete Writer's Guide to Heroes & Heroines: Sixteen Master Archetypes is primarily focused on Romance Novel characters: the viewpoint character (heroine) and the desired mate (hero). While it's not the all-encompassing vision that efficiently collapses all possible heroic characters into sixteen easy-to-remember classes, it's well worth taking a look at, especially if you plan to write for the Romance genre.
The book goes into detail on strengths and weaknesses, as well as upbringing, and even discusses how the characters interact with each other (a Spunky Kid, for example, can be paired with a Lost Soul to become an automatic Manic Pixie Dream Girl). Furthermore, google the book and you wind up on the homepage of one of the authors, where she goes into detail on the villainous versions of the heroes and heroines.
Additional information (the villains, which aren't in the book) from Tami Cowden's website http://www.tamicowden.com/villains.htm
Cowden's website also discusses the Hero and Heroine archetypes (albeit very briefly - you get far more info in the book).
Compare 45 Master Characters.
Character Lists:
The Complete Writer's Guide to Heroes & Heroines: Sixteen Master Archetypes by Cowden, LaFever, and Viders; published by Lone Eagle, June 19, 2000.
- ISBN-10: 1580650244
- ISBN-13: 978-1580650243
