Let’s face it—no matter how wild your plot twists are or how magical your world might be, your protagonist is the heart of your novel. If readers don’t care about your main character, they’re not sticking around—no matter how epic your story is or how phenomenal your world may sound.
So, how do you create a protagonist who feels real, relatable, and impossible to forget? Someone readers will cheer for, cry with, and maybe even yell at—in a good way, mind you—in the heat of a reading binge?
Grab your favorite drink, and let’s dive into the secret sauce of crafting a compelling protagonist—the kind who keeps readers coming back for more.
1. Give Them a Clear Goal That Matters
Here’s the thing—a great protagonist wants something.
It doesn’t have to be world-changing (although, hey, that’s cool too). What matters is that it’s personal and meaningful to them. Without a goal, your character is just… floating through the story or falling flat on their faces. And trust me, floating or falling isn’t exciting.
Think about some examples:
- Katniss in The Hunger Games wants to protect her sister and survive the games.
- Aelin in Throne of Glass wants freedom—and, eventually, justice.
Now, for the nitty-gritty, what drives your protagonist to keep going when things get tough? Think of potential situations that drive them to their ultimate goal.
👉 Pro tip: The stronger and more personal the goal, the more invested your readers will be.
2. Flaws = Instant Connection
Perfect characters? Boring. No, really! I’m serious about this.
Readers don’t fall in love with perfect people—they connect with characters who are messy, flawed, and human (even if they’re not actually human in your fantasy world).
Maybe your hero is:
- Stubborn to a fault (even when it hurts them)
- Afraid to trust others (because of a painful past)
- Overconfident (until it blows up in their face)
These flaws don’t make your protagonist weak—they make them relatable. And watching them wrestle with those flaws? That’s what makes their journey satisfying—and interesting.
💡 Think about a character you love. What makes them imperfect—and why does that make them unforgettable?
3. Strengths—But Not Boring Strength
Your protagonist needs strengths—but not the cliché, “I’m good at everything” kind.
Instead, focus on meaningful strengths, the ones that shape who they are. Maybe they’re fiercely loyal. Maybe they have an unshakable sense of humor—even when things go wrong. Or maybe they’re brilliant at solving puzzles but terrible at making friends.
The best strengths are double-edged swords—they help your protagonist but also cause trouble. For example:
- Loyalty can drive them to protect the wrong person.
- Ambition can push them to make reckless choices.
- Cleverness can lead them to overthink and doubt themselves.
👉 Pro tip: Balance your protagonist’s strengths and flaws to create depth. No one is just “good” or “bad”—and that complexity makes them feel real. Also, start a spreadsheet of your character with their strengths and flaws.
4. The Character Arc: Why Change Matters
Here’s where the magic happens—your protagonist should grow and change throughout your story.
Think about it: Would we love Zuko from Avatar: The Last Airbender as much if he stayed an angry, vengeful prince? Nope. What makes him iconic is his transformation—from villain to hero.
Your protagonist should go on a similar emotional journey—think Hero’s Journey of sorts. Ask yourself:
- What is their flaw or weakness at the start?
- What lesson do they need to learn?
- How will they change by the end?
A strong character arc keeps readers emotionally hooked—they’ll stick around because they want to see how your protagonist grows.
5. Make Them Feel Real
Want your protagonist to jump off the page? Dive deeper.
Beyond their goals and flaws, think about:
- What keeps them up at night?
- What are their quirks? (Do they bite their nails? Ramble when nervous?)
- What would break them—and what would heal them?
Small, human details make characters feel alive. Maybe your hero drinks coffee even though they hate it. Maybe they hum old songs when they’re scared. Or… maybe your hero wants to take a nap instead of facing the chaos that surrounds them. These touches pull readers closer, making your protagonist more than just words on a page.
6. Give Readers a Reason to Root for Them
At the end of the day, readers follow characters they care about. Your protagonist doesn’t have to be perfect—or even likable—but they do need to be compelling.
Here are some easy ways to make readers invest:
✅ Show your protagonist is vulnerability—Let us see their fears and pain.
✅ Give them agency and the will to take risks—They should make choices that drive the plot in interesting ways.
✅ Allow your protagonist to fail—Watching them struggle makes their victories sweeter.
💡 If you can make readers care about your protagonist’s success—or survival—you’ve already won half the battle.
Your Next Chapter Awaits…
You’ve got everything you need to craft a strong, unforgettable protagonist—one who will grab readers by the heart and never let go.
And trust me, this is just the beginning. There’s so much more to explore—have your protagonist grow like the little flowers they are.
Don’t forget—subscribe for free reads, exclusive content, and more.
