Cinnamon Rolls: Writing characters that must be protected at all costs
Cinnamon roll characters capture the hearts of readers through innocence and purity. They are often sweet, endearing, and provoke a protective response from other characters. But what should your focuses be when you’re looking to write one? The below advice will help direct you, whether your MC is an absolute sweetie, or you’re in need of a side character to juxtapose all the grimness going on.
A Recipe for Cinnamon Rolls
Character Traits:
As the character’s ‘cinnamon roll’ nature is what you are wanting to highlight, I recommend focusing on their character traits first. Who are they, and how do they show up in daily life?
Kindness: They are unfailingly kind to everyone, even those who might not deserve it. They tend to see the best in people.
Selflessness: They often have genuine concern for the well-being and happiness of others, often prioritizing their needs and desires above one's own.
Innocence: They have a sense of childlike wonder. They might not fully grasp the complexities of the world, which adds to their charm.
Empathy: They should be highly empathetic, naturally attuned to others' feelings and eager to provide comfort and support.
Optimism: A ray of sunshine in any situation, they always look on the bright side and encourage others to do the same.
And some flaws that match the above positive traits:
Kindness — Passivity: Their desire to maintain harmony and avoid conflict can lead to them being passive or unable to stand up for themselves.
Selflessness — Self-Neglect: They may neglect their own needs—prioritising others' could lead to burnout, overcommitment, or health issues.
Innocence — Naivety: Their innocent nature might make them overly trusting or gullible, easily deceived by those with bad intentions.
Empathy — No Boundaries: Their empathy might make it hard for them to set boundaries, as people know they can come to them and be heard.
Optimism — Overly Idealistic: Their nature might make them overly idealistic, unable to accept that not everyone can be changed or helped.
Figuring out who they are in a positive and negative way creates a great base to build a story around.
Crafting Cinnamon Roll Characters
Now that you’ve figured out who your character is, you’ll need to figure out their background, what motivates them, what they are going to pursue in the story, and what challenges them to grow and go beyond who we meet on the first page.
Backstories and Motivations
Positive Origins: Many cinnamon roll characters come from supportive backgrounds or have experienced transformative events that shaped their kind nature. However, don’t underestimate a traumatic or difficult origin story either—those who have been hurt often do not want to hurt others, and they may take on a positive outlook and care for others, so as to make up for everything they themselves did not receive.
Motivations: Their primary motivation is to make a positive impact, help those in need, and foster harmony and compassion in their world. Pick something here that could highlight their character traits further. A positive motivation and its resulting action can lead to great tension and conflict as the character seeks to overcome the challenges they experience as a result (for the world is not always as kind as they are!)
Challenges and Growth
Conflict with Darker Elements: Cinnamon roll characters often face challenges that test their kindness and beliefs, such as betrayal, loss, or moral dilemmas. This can lead to doubt and confusion, as well as provide great conflict.
Inner Strength: Through adversity, they discover hidden strengths and resilience, deepening their character and conviction. They were already a character we could root for, and now they are showing up and out for the reader.
Learning from Failures: Mistakes and failures contribute to their growth, teaching them valuable lessons about trust, forgiveness, and perseverance. It may make them kinder or it may make them jaded—totally up to you.
Balancing Vulnerability and Strength
Vulnerability: Cinnamon roll characters are not immune to pain or vulnerability. Their kindness can make them susceptible to betrayal or manipulation, adding layers of complexity to their arcs.
Strength in Kindness: Despite their vulnerabilities, their kindness is a source of strength that empowers them to overcome obstacles and inspire others.
Why write a cinnamon roll character?
For those of us who are used to grimdark stories with bleakness and dire straights everywhere you look, a cinnamon roll might seem out of place (and well they might be in such a story). But the SFF world has grown, and people are looking for more kinds of stories. There are many benefits to a cinnmon roll MC or even a side character that readers love when they appear on page.
Emotional Connection with Readers
Relatability: Readers empathize with cinnamon roll characters due to their relatable struggles, desires, and emotions.
Engagement: Their journey and growth captivate readers, evoking strong emotional responses and investment in their well-being.
Hope and Inspiration: Cinnamon roll characters offer a sense of hope and inspiration, reminding readers of the power of kindness and compassion.
Contrast and Symbolism
Contrast with Darker Characters: Cinnamon roll characters often serve as foils to darker, morally ambiguous, or villainous characters, highlighting the themes of light vs. darkness and redemption.
Symbolism: They symbolise innocence, purity, and the potential for positive change, adding depth and thematic richness to the narrative.
Roles in Fantasy and Sci-Fi
If your writing a SFF novel, the role of kind characters can often be expansive. As the stakes of fantastical worlds can often be quite high, cinnamon roll characters often serve as:
Beacons of hope and positivity amidst darkness and conflict.
Catalysts for change, inspiring others to embrace kindness and empathy.
Bridges between different factions or species, promoting unity and understanding.
However, never underestimate low stakes stories. There is space in the SFF world for gentler stories that tell of the goodness of the world and the people in it, for which a cinnamon roll character may be the perfect vehicle!
Conclusion
Cinnamon roll characters are some of my favourite types of characters—the ones who you, the reader, would die for and take away with you long after the book is over. The world needs a little more kindness, in my opinion, so why not import it into your fantasy worlds too? Next time you’re looking to write such a character, focus on their traits, how they’ll grow, and what they symbolise in your story.