Character Evolution: How Great Writers Create Complex and Dynamic Protagonists

Hello there, fellow writers! 👋 Have you ever read a book and wondered how the author created such an intricate and relatable protagonist? It’s not easy! Great writers know that a truly powerful story is built on a character’s journey, and often times, that journey involves a significant transformation.

In this blog, we’ll discuss how great writers create complex and dynamic protagonists, and how you can implement these strategies in your own writing. Let’s get started! 🚀

Tip #1: Understand Your Protagonist’s Motivations

All great protagonists have one thing in common: their motivations. It’s crucial for a writer to understand what drives their protagonist to act the way they do. A character’s motivation can be dictated by their past experiences, their current goals, or even their personality.

When a writer understands their protagonist’s motivations, they can craft a story that challenges those motivations and forces the character to evolve. This evolution is what makes a protagonist relatable and dynamic.

Tip #2: Show, Don’t Tell

This may be a cliche writing tip, but it’s important nonetheless. Rather than telling readers about a character’s traits or actions, great writers show their readers what the protagonist is really like.

This means creating situations in which the protagonist’s true nature is revealed through their choices and actions. Whether it’s a moment of weakness or a moment of strength, these choices should be organic and consistent with the character’s motivations and personality.

Tip #3: Make Your Protagonist Flawed

Every great protagonist has flaws. After all, isn’t that what makes them human? Flaws can come in various forms, such as physical or emotional vulnerabilities. These flaws should be apparent from the beginning, and they should be challenged throughout the course of the story.

When a writer allows their protagonist to struggle with their flaws, it creates an opportunity for growth and development. This growth is often what drives the story forward and separates a good protagonist from a great one.

Tip #4: Give Your Protagonist Agency

A protagonist with agency is one who has control over their own life and actions. They make their own decisions, take their own risks, and pursue their own goals. When a writer gives their protagonist agency, it creates a sense of ownership and investment in the story.

It’s important to note that agency does not necessarily mean the protagonist is always successful. In fact, allowing a protagonist to fail can often be more impactful than having them succeed every time.

Tip #5: The Importance of Relationships

A protagonist’s relationships can make or break a story. Great writers understand the importance of creating genuine relationships between their protagonist and other characters. These relationships can be platonic, familial, or romantic, but they all serve the purpose of challenging and shaping the protagonist.

Through their interactions with others, a protagonist’s flaws and motivations are tested, and their growth is often amplified. Additionally, relationships can create complex plot points and add depth to the story.

That’s it for our tips on how great writers create complex and dynamic protagonists! We hope these tips help you in your own writing journey and inspire you to create unforgettable characters.

Remember, writing is a journey, and each protagonist you create is a unique one. Happy writing! 📝✏️