Getting to Know Your Protagonist

Hello!

Today I'd like to address protagonists, the main characters of your story. Last week we talked about Plotters and Pantsers. When thinking about protagonists, I find myself thinking like a Plotter. Writing out a character sketch can be extremely helpful.

What Should We Know?

There are certain key elements that we should know about our main character. If you think about it, it's our job to make our character come to life for our readers. Most protagonists should be likable. And if you can make them relatable for your reading audience, you get extra bonus points!

The Obvious

Here is a list of must-haves:

Name - The name you choose for your protagonist is important. You want their name to suit their personality. More about personality later. If you get stuck coming up with a name, baby naming books are a great resource!

Age - Age is another important factor for two reasons: age determines a character's behaviors and age is important to your readers. For children's books, kids like reading about kids their own age.

Appearance - If you're writing a picture book, your illustrator will create your character for you, unless you specify what you want them to look like. If you're writing chapter books, you'll be putting in the details yourself. Be sure to gently sprinkle them in, little bits at a time. You don't want to lose your readers by making them read an entire paragraph detailing your character's appearance.

Personality Traits - This one is fun and the most detailed. You have a lot to think about here. List their strengths, weaknesses, fears, talents, hobbies, and flaws. Remember, you want them to be likable and relatable. Try to hear their voice as you put this list together. And, for the plot of your book, you will need to ask, what does your protagonist want?

The Fun

Lastly, it's fun to add some unusual elements, making your character stand out. Do they have a favorite phrase they often say? What about a physical habit like twirling their hair when they get nervous? Do they wear their favorite color when they need to feel like a superhero? Is there always a magic rock in their pocket for good luck? All these little details make your character unique.

When you finish your character sketch, pat yourself on the back for a job well done. Keep it out for reference as you work on your story. Happy creating and happy writing! :)