In the superhero world, backstories are often called origin stories. They offer insight into the life your hero had before he really became a hero, and even how he became one. This story will give us a look into the more "human" side of your hero, and make him a more sympathetic and relatable character. Many superheroes have experienced tragedies that inspired and motivated them to enforce and serve justice. For example, Bruce Wayne wants to serve justice because he saw his parents murdered. Conflict and inner-turmoil can help shape the character and their story. When coming up with their backstory, think about conflicts or problems they may have faced that shaped them into the hero they are now. Once you've determined your hero's backstory, you know whether or not he was born with the powers he has, or if he came into them later in life. Deciding how he discovered or came into his powers is an important part of his story and who he is. Consider some questions: what was their initial reaction to their abilities? Are they necessary for survival? How often do they use their powers, and are they proud or ashamed of them? Make the superpowers a journey in and of themselves. A character who has a static relationship to their own abilities won't generate a lot of interest. Some trial and error, or even some internal conflict with how to use the powers are both good options. Some superheroes are disliked or feared by the communities they exist within. Batman and Spider-Man, for example, were both seen as menaces initially, before the community came to see them as helpful. Decide what kind of relationship you want your hero to have with his community. Anti-heroes, like Deadpool, are loved by many audiences, even if they are disliked or feared in their comics or movies. This approach could be a fun experiment in storytelling and character evolution. Any good superhero needs a villain or two to fight against. Flesh out the enemies the same way you did the superhero. However, don't answer too many questions about the villains right off the bat. Taking time to reveal their backstories, true natures, and motivations will make them more engaging and mysterious. The villain's backstory could tie in with the superhero's, even if the hero doesn't know it. They can find out about the connection as their story unfolds. This can add new layers to the story and the characters. People love a good villain and are interested in their backstory, whether it's to place blame or to understand their motivations. Great examples include the Joker and Loki. When creating your villain, consider making him the opposite of your hero. For example, his superpower could conflict with your hero's power. This will give the two a reason to be at odds.
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One-sentence summary -- Come up with a backstory for your hero. Think about how the superhero's powers evolved. Determine the community's relationship to the character. Create rivals or enemies for your hero.

Start with just a few numbers to get a feel for Italian. Pay attention to how the numbers are spelled, but focus on their pronunciation. Stressed (accented) syllables are in all caps: 0 zero (TSEH-ro) 1 uno (OO-no) 2 due (DOO-eh) 3 tre (TREH) 4 quattro (KWAHT-tro) 5 cinque (CHEEN-kweh) Once you have the first few numbers down, you're ready to learn up to ten. Make sure to pay attention to the number ten, which is the first to have three syllables (and the stress on the second). 6 sei (SEH-ee) 7 sette (SET-teh) 8 otto (OHT-toh) 9 nove (NOH-veh) 10 dieci (dee-EH-chee) After you've mastered the first few numbers in Italian, you'll have a good sense for how the language sounds. The numbers eleven through twenty are a bit longer, but you can see that parts of them will sound very similar to the numbers 1-10 (undici, or "eleven," for example, sounds a lot like uno plus dieci, or one plus ten). 11 undici (OON-dee-chee) 12 dodici (DOH-dee-chee) 13 tredici (TREH-dee-chee) 14 quattordici (kwaht-TOR-dee-chee) 15 quindici (KWEEN-dee-chee) 16 sedici (SEH-dee-chee) 17 diciassette (dee-chahs-SET-teh) 18 diciotto (dee-CHOHT-toh) 19 diciannove (dee-chahn-NOH-veh) 20 venti (VEN-tee) Using the numbers as often as possible will help them stick in your memory. Regular practice will also help you feel more comfortable speaking Italian. Try a combination of techniques to use the numbers, such as: Making flashcards and quizzing yourself Counting everyday objects, like coins or grapes Using Italian numbers whenever you have to do mental math Playing games, like Uno, that let you easily say the numbers in Italian.
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One-sentence summary -- Learn the numbers up to five. Follow up with six through ten. Try eleven through twenty. Practice the numbers.

You'll be working outdoors for this job and you'll have to let the canoe dry overnight a couple of times. Make sure you start working on a clear, dry day when there are at least 2 more rain-free days coming up. You can move the canoe inside a garage or other covered storage space overnight if you want, but you'll still have to let the canoe dry for several hours after each coat of paint before you can pick it up to move it. Pick an outside area with plenty of room to work, such as a clear yard or driveway. Set up 2 sawhorses and flip the canoe upside down on top of them to expose the entire hull for painting. You need to work somewhere outside since you will be using water to clean the canoe as well as making a mess when you sand it. It's also best to work outside for the ventilation because you'll be working with chemicals as well. Set up your power washer near the canoe and connect it to a hose. Turn it on and spray down the entire canoe with plain water to remove any dirt and grime. If you don't have a power washer, you can rent one at many home improvement centers or hardware stores. Make sure to wear eye protection and closed-toe shoes while operating a power washer. If you are using a gas-powered pressure washer, wear earplugs as well since they are louder than electric power washers. Wait for all the water from power washing to evaporate. Run your hands over the hull of the canoe when it looks dry to make sure. You can wipe down the hull with a towel and then let it air dry for a shorter time if you want to speed up the process.
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One-sentence summary --
Check the forecast and pick 3 days of clear, dry weather to paint your canoe. Put the canoe upside down on a pair of sawhorses outside. Spray the entire canoe down using a power washer. Let the canoe air dry completely before proceeding.