Building Your Main Character

building your main character

Hello :) I recently bought save the cat writes a novel but didn't have the motivation to read it until I came up with this new fantasy idea.

As a pantser, I really want to learn how to plot, and I thought this book was a good idea to give me some structure as to what goes into plotting (like know the rules so you can break them after pftt).

I decided to take some notes along the way so I don't have to keep re-reading this thing later down the road. It might be helpful, it might not be, but I thought it'd be a nice writing resource to put out to the world. ♥️

I think it's safe to say that most of us don't want to read, nor write, a perfect character - one who's good at everything, and has no problems in their lives.

Creating a flawed character, one that later transforms and learns a "universal lesson" is probably much more interesting to both read & write about (as most authors [like me] like to dump their trauma on characters lmao).

But to do so, your character needs:

A problem that needs fixing.

A want or goal that the hero is pursuing.

A need for their lesson to be learned.

Basically, a character's flaw (though doesn't need to be a HUGE one) or issue should be affecting, at least in their thoughts and possibly others, their world, relationships, and life. This is essentially their "problem," and one they hope to fix. It may also be seen as the start of their journey.

Aside from that, it's important for a character to want something, and be trying to get it. This is essentially what they think will fix their issues, but may turn out not to be true later on. This want should be tangible or specific in some way. And the fact that someone or something is preventing them from getting is, is part of their journey!

Side note: wants can also change throughout the novel. An example used was how Frankenstein goes from wanting to create life to wanting to destroy the very life he created. Not all characters get what they want, either. Take a character who wants to see their mother, for instance, only to find out she died in the end of the novel (sorry for this sad example lmaoo). Though she never gets to see her mother, she learns a few lessons along the way, and her getting to see her mother is what the novel may focus on more.

Characters can also be mistaken on what they think will make them happy, which is another reason why they think they want something.

That leads to what the hero really needs. Delve into their backstory.

Why is your hero so flawed?

What happened to them to make them the way they are?

What do they really need?

Essentially, this internal transformation (character development) combined with the actual plot and external action will create a plot/novel.

In the end, there may be some universal lesson or overarching perception that your character gains. Here's 10:

Forgiveness (of self and others)

Love (self-love, family, romantic)

Acceptance (of themselves, of circumstances, etc.)

Faith (oneself, others, world, religion)

Fear (overcoming or finding courage)

Trust (oneself, unknown, others)

Survival (will to live)

Selflessness (sacrifice, altruism, heroism, etc.)

Responsibility (duty, accepting one's fate, standing up for a cause)

Redemption (atonement, accepting blame, remorse, salvation)

“ew what do you see in brown guys?” well I’m glad you asked

their hair?? fluffy, gorgeous curls adorning their head?? dark brown eyes you get lost in and realize you’re staring at them and blushing?? their cocky smile whenever they absolutely refuse to give you a straight answer and you’re so annoyed but you also want to pull them by their collar and kiss them so hard?? their deep, throaty, comforting yet disconcerting voice that you could listen for hours on end?? their features- how you’re always distracted by that jawline and that adam’s apple?? their sweetness and kindness, how they’re always there for you, ready to listen to you, no matter what?? how they’re always helping people, teaching kids how to bat while playing cricket, carrying old people’s luggage for them and so on?? their intelligence, not just bookish, but they’re actually so goddamn smart?? like they’ll be programming wizards but can and will also beat you at any debate about politics or psychology or law?? how every single one of them is an angel in their own right?? it’s high time brown boys get the hype!!

🌹 write a vague blurb about your WIP, for example, "a rude elf and a dumbass dwarf find out they're actually related and must stop a big problem"

apologizing how this took literally a month to get a reply back, but here it is (whoops):

for my current fantasy wip which i hate to plot in the month of june: a sarcastic teen who should've died 18 years ago and a nine-tailed fox that devoured 99 spirits but one find out that they need to pass the 10 hell gates in order to be reincarnated

for destination seoul / my contemporary wip which i desperately need to finish: to avoid third-wheeling at her aunt's wedding and to prove to herself that korea shouldn't be as daunting as it seems, hyeri employs kim taeyoung as her fake date

from: storyteller saturday

I know, we’ll literally have to try and find the TIMEEEEE and the energy after to fuel our creative brains haha.

yes! omg I wanted to watch 25 21, but now you're convincing me. i've actually been watching our beloved summer instead ): cried every episode too haha.

thanks! sending you all my positive vibes 🤍 literally best to live and bask in small victories, they really keep me going forward

hellloooo thank you for the follow! xx

15. Describe your occupation in 3 words.

hi!!! of course! i really like your blog, it's motivational and soothing? idk if those are the right words to describe it. but it has a really nice vibe!

15. Describe your occupation in 3 words.  ahh i don't have one atm. but i'm a uni student so how about this:

insightful, fun, grueling

send me a question!

throwback to this post because the process has started, AHHHHHH

after this WIP I'll plot so extensively the word "pantsing" won't even be in my vocabulary anymore

or so I say-

Re: book recs, what is some stuff you've previously read / really liked?

Gosh… such a long time ago since I read fantasy haha. I loved These Violent Delights, Caraval, Percy Jackson, Heartless, An Ember In the Ashes, etc.?

I’m hoping to find some more POC fantasy though, possibly myths from other cultures and stuff, since that’s the genre I kind of want to branch out in. But any fantasy is nice too! 💗