7 Tips to Create A Memorable Protagonist

In storytelling, the protagonist serves as one of the most important aspects of a novel, captivating readers and guiding them through fun journeys. Crafting a great protagonist requires careful consideration and a deep understanding of the elements that make a character compelling and relatable. Let’s explore seven essential tips to help you create a memorable protagonist that will resonate with your audience and leave a lasting impact.

1. Complex and multi-dimensional

A great protagonist is multi-faceted, with strengths, flaws, and inner conflicts that make them relatable and human. Don’t create one-dimensional “perfect” heroes that will bore your readers. Instead, delve into their complexities, exploring their fears, desires, and doubts. Provide your protagonist with a rich backstory, motivations, and internal struggles that evolve throughout the story, creating a sense of growth and transformation.

2. Clear goals and motivations

A strong protagonist is driven by clear goals and motivations that propel the story forward. Define what your protagonist wants and why it matters to them. These goals can be external (such as saving the world) or internal (such as finding self-acceptance). Align your readers with the protagonist’s desires and create stakes that make their journey compelling and emotional.

3. Flaws and vulnerabilities

Perfection is boring. Flaws and vulnerabilities humanize a protagonist and make them relatable. Imperfections allow readers to connect with the character on a deeper level, as they see themselves reflected in their struggles and mistakes. Whether it’s a physical limitation, a character flaw, or a traumatic past, these imperfections add depth and create opportunities for growth and transformation. You want your main character to mimic a real person to establish that relatability.

4. Engaging character relationships

The relationships your protagonist forms with other characters can shape their journey and add depth to their personality. Develop dynamic relationships that challenge and support the protagonist. Friends, mentors, and enemies, (and perhaps a romantic interest) should all have unique qualities and roles within the narrative, providing opportunities for growth, conflict, and emotional resonance.

5. Moral complexity and ethical dilemmas

A great protagonist faces moral dilemmas that test their values and principles. Explore situations that force your protagonist to make difficult choices, blurring the lines between right and wrong. These moral complexities add depth to the character, showcasing their internal struggles and challenging readers to question their own beliefs.

6. Evolving character arc

A protagonist’s journey is not static; it should involve growth, transformation, and self-discovery. Craft a character arc that takes your protagonist from their initial state to a changed and evolved individual by the story’s end. This transformation can be gradual or dramatic, driven by the challenges and experiences they face throughout the narrative. This journey should essentially take your character from point A to point B.

7. Authenticity and relatability

Readers connect with characters they can relate to on a personal level. Infuse your protagonist with authenticity, drawing from universal human experiences and emotions. Show their vulnerabilities, fears, and dreams, allowing readers to empathize and invest emotionally in their journey. Strive to create a character who feels real– someone readers can root for and connect with.

Crafting a great protagonist is a delicate balancing act of strengths and weaknesses, goals and obstacles, growth and transformation. By creating complex, multi-dimensional characters with clear motivations, relatable flaws, and engaging relationships, you can captivate your audience and bring your story to life. Remember, a memorable protagonist is one who resonates deeply with readers, inspiring empathy, admiration, and a shared emotional journey. So, embark on the quest of character creation, and unleash the hero within your storytelling prowess.

Good luck, and happy writing!