Saturday, January 2, 2021
Things You Didn't Know About Your Books Pt. 1
Where Almost Every Main Protagonist Comes From
Have you ever wondered where you're main protagonist comes from? Just how did he/she evolve? What was the basis for their traits, likes, dislikes, flaws, etc.? Maybe you have never taken the time to answer this question...but you should. Because it's incredibly easy for writers to fall into a trap that they aren't even aware of. Let me explain.
This is probably more geared to those who are just starting their writing career so please keep that in mind. Though I find the alleged "trap" I have referred to is also one that professional writers can fall into themselves.
When you are making your main protagonist it usually goes one of two ways (especially if you're a novice writer). The first way, is that you build your main character to possess the attributes that you wish you had. You might be timid and easily frightened so you make your female lead a sanguine, fearless, independent young woman. Or you might try and craft your main character so that they resemble you. Your flaws are their flaws, you're thoughts their thoughts.
While this might seem like a harmless happenstance for some writers it can cause more harm than good. When we try and make characters like Type 1 (the ones that represent who you wish you were), it is so easy for the writer to get caught up in - you guessed it - hero worship. Since your protagonist has molded into the epitome of perfection you can easily make your writing unrealistic. Instead of the main character having struggles they are a role model that came from an alternate universe. Because as we know, no one is perfect. So in a simple sentence, never make your character into the person you wished you were, because before you know it your writing will be entirely centered upon making that hero stand out - and nothing else.
Let's move on to Type 2. This is probably the most common of downfalls when it comes to writing - and also the trickiest to detect. Let's say (and this is entirely fictitious) you just had a breakup. You are feeling dejected, unlovable, and like no body in the world understands. Without even being aware of it, the next day when you go to start plotting out your main protagonist, you make him/her a person going through depression, someone who's had numerous relationships that fail every time. Congratulations! You just turned yourself into the leading lady/man of your new book. At first, this may seem fine. After all, it isn't hurting anyone and it's a great way to express your emotions right? Wrong. If you make your problems the protagonist's problems the reader is probably going to put the book down after the first chapter. Why? Because they might as well be reading your diary. The reader wants to read, not take on all your emotional baggage.
Now, how can you make sure you avoid making these slips with your writing? Type 1 takes a bit of discipline - like anything worth doing - and might take some time to get used to. In order to overcome the hero-worship issue, I suggest forcing yourself to write out a chart with an equal list of pros and cons in the character. It might be hard at first, but it's worth it. Type 2 isn't as hard as you might think. If you have a lot of emotional baggage weighting you down there are a few things you can do. You can try listening to relaxing music to get your mind into a more objective view, or perhaps you might want to journal all your thoughts out in your diary before you sit down to write and get all the negativity out. Maybe, if you're feeling creative, write a separate story just for that particular purpose so that you can pour all your emotions into that protagonist.
Why not take a look at some of your first work? You might be surprised to discover just how much your main protagonist is like - or totally unlike - your own character. 😉
~Lydia Sherren
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