Should a main character be like the reader, or better than him?
Asked by: Brian Cota
If your intent is to have the reader identify with the MC, then you should strive for similar to. However, if you want to motivate the reader, creating a MC that is better than the reader is likely preferable. In addition, different genres of fiction will answer the question differently (but are still based on intent).
Does the main character have to be good?
Main characters (sometimes called “principal characters”) come in all shapes, sizes, and styles, and who they are greatly depends on the kind of story you’re telling. A main character doesn’t have to be a good guy, but they should be a memorable character, and involved with the progression of the plot.
What should a main character be like?
They are kind, good, and moral. They look out for their fellow characters in times of danger. A likable character sticks up for the little guy and adds a human quality to their supporting cast, even when that cast isn’t remotely human. When a character feels like a guide, it makes the reader feel safe.
Does a main character have to be likeable?
TL;DR Your main character doesn’t have to be likeable, but it helps a lot if by the end of the story he’s either liked or disliked to a pretty strong extent.
What makes a reader like a character?
Readers love characters that embody qualities and ideals they also aspire to. Even if your character is a scoundrel, make him or her a soft-hearted scoundrel. Characters that exemplify the best of humanity entice the reader to stay engaged and keep reading.
What is struggle of the main character?
Conflict
Conflict is a struggle between two opposing forces, ideas or beliefs, which form the basis of the plot. Traditionally, these forces have been referred to as the protagonist and the antagonist. The protagonist is the main character in the story.
Can there be more than one main character?
So can you write a story with more than one main character? The short answer is: yes. You can write your novel any way you like, so long as it works in practice. Many writers, especially those writing in genres such as fantasy and sci-fi, have multiple main characters in their novels.
How do you make a main character likeable?
In Hollywood, it is said that “There are only two ways to make a likeable character.”
- 1) Put your character in pain. …
- 2) Have your protagonist. …
- 3) Make your character apologetic. …
- 4) Give your character friends. …
- 5) Make your character powerful. …
- 6) Make your character attractive.
How do you describe a main character in a book?
9 Tips for Writing Character Descriptions
- Start with physical appearance. …
- Carefully choose your adjectives. …
- Think about a character’s interests. …
- Choose descriptive details you’ve observed in your own life. …
- Practice writing character descriptions for people in your life.
How do you choose a main character?
How to Choose Character Names
- Be Realistic. There are a lot of Mary’s in the world, which is precisely why your novel may need one. …
- Mind the Genre. Quick! …
- Be Consistent. …
- Be Dissimilar. …
- Avoid Name Associations. …
- Choose Easy to Pronounce Names. …
- Reinforce the Character’s Qualities. …
- Re-Evaluate the Character’s Name.
Why should the reader care?
‘ They should care, because the story belongs to your main character, and ultimately, to your reader. If you write without the reader in mind, you will fail to engage them and your story will fail. You are writing for them.
How do authors keep readers interested?
A story’s opening hook has to be strong enough to attract a reader, get him involved. But you need compelling characters and captivating events sprinkled throughout the story to ensure the reader’s sustained interest.
How do you make readers feel sorry for a character?
Instead of stating that a character is sad, describe their trembling lips and watery eyes. By showing rather than telling, writers are better able to trigger readers’ emotions by allowing them to feel as though they are experiencing what the character is feeling. Build up to intense emotions for greater impact.
How the text makes the reader feel when they read it is called?
Mood is the general feeling or atmosphere that a piece of writing creates within the reader. Mood is produced most effectively through the use of setting, theme, voice and tone. Tone can indicate the narrator’s mood, but the overall mood comes from the totality of the written work, even in first-person narratives.
How do you make a reader cry?
- HOW TO MAKE READERS CRY.
- Create a character we care about, who has struggled with something we can identify with. …
- Create primal stakes for that character. …
- Plot a difficult journey. …
- Surprise us. …
- Create a moment. …
- Deal authentically with human emotions.
What’s the main idea of a story?
The main idea of a story is the central point or big picture concept that the reader should walk away with. One of the best ways to determine the main idea is to identify things that are not the main idea. The main idea is not detailed; it’s a concept that encompasses the entire book.
What is the most exciting part of the story?
The CLIMAX
The CLIMAX of the story is when the CONFLICT of the PLOT is resolved.It is often the most exciting part of the story: when the hero saves the princess, discovers the buried treasure, or slays the dragon.
What is the main character in a short story called?
Protagonist
Protagonist comes from a Greek word for the principal actor in a drama. In modern literature, the protagonist drives the story forward by pursuing a goal. The protagonist of a story is sometimes called the main character. The protagonist of a story is opposed by an antagonist.