Making the main character main
YALitChat takes place on Twitter on Wednesday nights. I haven't participated in a while, since I've been focusing on my latest manuscript, but I dropped in for a few minutes last night. The discussion was about characters and characterization. At one point, Chihuahua Zero (@chihuahuazero) tweeted this:
"One thing most people struggle with is the fact that the protagonist is overshadowed by the supporting cast."
I got to thinking about that problem a bit, and what to do when I run into it as a writer. I came up with two suggestions:
Give the main character bigger desires
Give the main character bigger flaws
Because I suspect that if side characters are more interesting than the main character, it's because the main character isn't driving the story (i.e., doesn't have much to do, doesn't have a big enough desire to launch events into motion), and/or the main character is too safe or too perfect. Flaws and vulnerabilities not only help us identify with a character, but they can open up new possibilities in the plot. Possibilities for conflict, for growth, for emotion.
I suppose I would sum it up this way: Characters have problems, and main characters have the biggest problems.
And thanks, Chihuahua Zero, for sparking this train of thought!
I want to mention some live bookish events happening soon (one involving me, the other not):
Saturday, August 25: PAYA (Bringing YA to PA), multi-author signing, library fundraiser, and book event. Pennsylvania's Leadership Charter School Advanced Learning Center; 1585 Paoli Pike, West Chester, PA 19380. Writing workshop starts at 10 AM; author panel for librarians also starts at 10 AM; author signings start at noon.
September 12, 6-7:30 PM: Teen Author Reading Night featuring Tara Altebrando, The Best Night of Your Pathetic Life; Sarah Beth Durst, Vessel; Gordon Korman, Ungifted; David Levithan, Every Day; Kate Milford, The Broken Lands; and a possible mystery guest! Jefferson Market Branch of NYPL, corner of 6th Ave and 10th St, New York City.
"One thing most people struggle with is the fact that the protagonist is overshadowed by the supporting cast."
I got to thinking about that problem a bit, and what to do when I run into it as a writer. I came up with two suggestions:
Give the main character bigger desires
Give the main character bigger flaws
Because I suspect that if side characters are more interesting than the main character, it's because the main character isn't driving the story (i.e., doesn't have much to do, doesn't have a big enough desire to launch events into motion), and/or the main character is too safe or too perfect. Flaws and vulnerabilities not only help us identify with a character, but they can open up new possibilities in the plot. Possibilities for conflict, for growth, for emotion.
I suppose I would sum it up this way: Characters have problems, and main characters have the biggest problems.
And thanks, Chihuahua Zero, for sparking this train of thought!
I want to mention some live bookish events happening soon (one involving me, the other not):
Saturday, August 25: PAYA (Bringing YA to PA), multi-author signing, library fundraiser, and book event. Pennsylvania's Leadership Charter School Advanced Learning Center; 1585 Paoli Pike, West Chester, PA 19380. Writing workshop starts at 10 AM; author panel for librarians also starts at 10 AM; author signings start at noon.
September 12, 6-7:30 PM: Teen Author Reading Night featuring Tara Altebrando, The Best Night of Your Pathetic Life; Sarah Beth Durst, Vessel; Gordon Korman, Ungifted; David Levithan, Every Day; Kate Milford, The Broken Lands; and a possible mystery guest! Jefferson Market Branch of NYPL, corner of 6th Ave and 10th St, New York City.
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I hear there are great events in So. Cal., too.YALitChat is open to all. The conversation moves fast, but I always get a few points that I think about for a while.
Zachary wrote: "So so many amazing events, so very, very far from Southern California. Heh.
And you bring up a couple good points re characterization. I may have to look into the YALitChat, since I think that wou..."
And you bring up a couple good points re characterization. I may have to look into the YALitChat, since I think that would help me out a lot. I've kinda fallen into a rut with both of the story ideas I'm working on.