Writing Focus: Protagonist

In every good story there is a good protagonist. Good protagonists make or break a story and are the champions of their own cause. With a good protagonist, you can rule the story page and draw in readers.

What is a Protagonist?

A protagonist is the main character of a story. Along with the antagonist, the protagonist enters into a conflict that makes up the basis of the story. In most pieces of literature, the protagonist is the character that the author hopes the reader will relate to the most, following avidly through the plot as they continue through their battle.

Tips

Not even your protagonist can be perfect. Don't make your protagonist absolutely flawless, as it makes them appear above your general audience. Give your character some vital flaws, whether they be physical or mental. These will help make your character appear just like the readers; your average Joe but with one difference. Making the character relatable will allow your readers to sympathise with their struggle.

Prompts

Looking for ways to help your protagonist connect to the audience? Check out these prompts for more inspiration!

1. Write a short story depicting an important moment in the life of a protagonist from one of your current stories.
2. Write a story where the protagonist struggles to choose which side of a war to fight on, paying close attention to their internal struggles.
3. Write about a protagonist that has been brainwashed by the opposition for years and has just come to his or her senses.

Stories

Mibba's Stories section is home to hundreds of thousands of amazing protagonists. The following stories are fantastic examples of exceptional protagonists!

The Mark is a fantasy story with an instantly likable protagonist. Oriana is portrayed as a character that is instantly down-to-earth and relatable.

Pale is a story that twists the traditional protagonist role. Fae is not the typical super-strong protagonist with a grudge against the world. Fae is an average person who has been sucked into a fight that she is powerless to defend herself against.

It is almost impossible to write a strong story without a good protagonist. Once you know your main character inside-out, you'll draw in the readers like flies to honey!

Special thanks to broken bells and Fandango for editing!