Create a strong Protagonist – We want and need to like, and if
not like, then care about our protagonist.
You know the kind of protagonist we just hate, but love? Even if he’s not one hundred percent
likeable, we need to care and that will give us the love/hate relationship.
But, most of the time we want a
protagonist the reader is pulling for.
He might be ordinary in many ways, and extraordinary in others. Look for his strengths, and you have a
character the reader will care about.
Don’t wait too long for the reader to
find your protagonist’s strengths.
Within the first three to four pages the protagonist should grab the
reader and make them want to know what happens to him.
Face it, we want a protagonist we can
fall in love with, whether he’s perfect or not.
Actually, the reader will love him more if he’s strong, but far from
perfect. Handsome, yes, but not too
handsome. Rough around the edges, but
not too rough. A sense of humor, but not
an annoying goof-ball. A man with
principles, but not a fanatic. We want a
protagonist who can love – and one we can fall in love with.
And remember, our protagonist must
change and become better for the story. It might take him a while to
come-around, but in the end he sees the light. Without growth, why bother?
I need a hero! Smile. If
your protagonist is a hero —that is, someone who is already strong – make sure he has
insurmountable conflicted.
Within the first five pages, show your protagonist’s flaw(s) and how this will make it difficult
for him to overcome or accomplish his mission or quest.
Readers love to discover the protagonist’s flaws, not have them waving
up in front of their face. Use subtlety
and soften his flaws with self-awareness or humor.
Let’s face it, who wants a perfect, totally good,
Heroes who are nothing but good, noble, unswerving, open, fearless,
and compassionate will cause your readers want to gag. Create a likable hero who has flaws that we
can accept. However, do not make his
flaw(s) overwhelming. Give serious thought to how your protagonist will impact your
story and create flaws that will aid in this effort. Make him real with a character flaw(s) you
can live with.
Good reminder to balance flaws and heroic traits. My protagonists tend to have their flaws glaringly obvious at the beginning. But as the story progresses they grow and become more noble and worth liking.
ReplyDeleteI know what you mean, Rachelle... I have to work very hard to do that... they have a tendency to stay rotten! I like people to be nice . . . most of the time - but that would be boring .. huh? It seems I never manage to have a 'nice' mother, though. Reveals a bit about my youth...doesn't it.
ReplyDelete