Writing Advice: Give Your Characters Agency

Writing Advice: Give Your Characters Agency

Have you ever read a story where it felt like the protagonist was being personally guided by the author?

When a character has to always rely on their love interest, friends, allies, and even enemies in order to get from point A to point B

When the only reason a character is even on their journey is because they're the "Chosen One" or God themselves is literally dragging this random along.

Well, you probably hated this character because they lacked Agency.

Agency is defined as when a person makes a specific action, hoping to garner a certain result.

Agency is goal, motive, and plan. A person wants(motive) something(goal) so they try to get it(action).

Based on this definition, it's incredibly hard to write a compelling protagonist and story without agency.

Agency is what makes an interesting plot as plot is based on "what is a character willing to do in order to get their goal".

If your protagonist never tries to do anything and whenever they do try to do something, it never impacts the surrounding world either negatively or positively, you've managed to written a story that has squandered all it's potential.

You might be saying "What about characters who are trapped in these circumstances, trapped in general, or Fate?"

Well let me tell you, I don't know where you got the assumption that all abused/kidnapped individuals just stopped thinking and desiring when the abuse happened but it's wrong!

Maybe your abused character is trying to leave their circumstances so they make some decisions to seperate themselves.

Maybe your abused character is trying to help their abuser so they make decisions that help their abuser.

Maybe they're planning something!

Also, for the Fate thing. You could have your characters actively fighting Fate? Nevermind if they succed or fail!

You could have the existence of Fate be a plot twist?

There is just no proper excuse to not write a character that doesn't make decisions to get what they want!

If you didn't want to write a Point Of View character that interacts with the world you could've written an omniscient character who is travelling around. Or a narrator who is reading the journals of the actual main character(like in Book Thief).

If you didn't want to make this character have an impact on the world, you could have chosen a different character to be the protagonist!

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Remember the internet rules of safety! (scams, harrassment, etc)

Next, donate if you can. Reblog always. Share it with people you know are jumping at the opportunity to donate!

Writers need to support their fellow writers, especially the trans ones.

Help A Writer for FREE

Hello! My name is Michelle Allen and I’ve been writing books for more than fifteen years. Recently, I entered my newest work into the Amazon Velleys! While I’m interested in growing my audience and gaining readers for my current and future projects, I will also admit a big part of entering this contest was for a shot at the prize money. Like many, I’ve been struggling to make ends meet since the pandemic. So, if you’re a fan of fantasy novels with grounded stakes, this is your opportunity to find your next read while also potentially helping a disabled, genderqueer author get back on their feet!

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Synopsis:

In the land of Phylia, the Plusos make the rules, and Vulos are required to follow them. As a doctor and the ward of one of the most highly respected Elder Plusos in her city-state of Sari, Plusos Dara is well aware of this. For years, she has resigned herself to quietly bending the laws by teaching Vulos via autopsies and stolen medical books. However, when a decision by the leaders of Phylia threatens to ruin the lives of those she tries to help, silence and secrecy are no longer options.

amazon.com

In the Service of Others | Kindle Vella

In the land of Phylia, the Plusos make the rules, and Vulos are required to follow them. As a doctor and the ward of one of the most highly

I appreciate any support you can give to me and my writing! All royalties will go toward helping me get back on my feet and saving for top surgery!

I always try to reblog every once in a while. Again, copy my instructions!

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you know the drill

Please donate if you can and if you can:

Reblog the post so more people and potential donators can

Share this message with people who are willing to assist those in Gaza

If you can't

Copy all the directions for the "if you can" section

Feel free to continue asking for "shout outs"! Even if I can't donate due to my family's financial situations and our family medical emergency, just sharing the message can help save lives.