Hi, writers and authors! Karou here. I wanted to give you some infurmation about some common feedback the RUFF! developmental editors often give to our authors about their fiction manuscripts: give your main character agency and motivation.
In today’s book market, readers expect a proactive main character who drives the plot. If characters simply do what they’re told or have no choice but to react to the plot, a book is much less engaging for readers.
Below, I’ll share some tips to help you determine whether your protagonist takes charge and has agency or merely is pushed around by other characters or events in the story. The most memorable characters are ones who—either eagerly or reluctantly—decide to act, pursue their own internal or external goals, and face dire stakes if they fail.
Understanding character agency
Character agency refers to the ability of your main character to actively make choices, drive the story forward, and influence outcomes. A character with agency possesses a sense of purpose and takes concrete steps to achieve their goals, rather than passively reacting to the circumstances you set up in your world-building. At RUFF!, we encourage writers to think about the following things for every scene or chapter in the book:
- What does your protagonist want?
- What are the stakes if they fail (a key element that gives your book necessary tension)?
- What conflict or crisis do they face in achieving this scene’s goal?
- What is the result? How does this drive your character to resolve their next steps/goals?
Establishing clear character motivation
To ensure your main character has sufficient motivation, think through what they desire.
At the whole-manuscript level, we love how Jessica Brody outlines this concept in Save the Cat! Writes a Novel. According to her, your main character should have the following elements:
- A clear problem—a flaw they need to overcome for a satisfying character arc.
- Something they want—what they want to achieve that they think (probably erroneously) will help them overcome their problem and fix their life.
- A true need—the accomplishment they must reach or the life lesson that they must learn to effect lasting change. This will embody a big part of your book’s overarching theme.
At the scene level, you should know what your character’s goals are. What motivates them? These goals can be external (e.g., saving their best friend from a vampire attack) or internal (e.g., finding self-acceptance in an unsupportive family). Well-defined goals provide a compass for your character’s actions. A character with goals has the reins and drives the plot, giving your readers someone to root for.
Making decisions and taking action
A proactive main character actively makes decisions and takes action to pursue their goals. This doesn’t mean that external forces and the inciting incident can’t cause your hero to change course or evolve their goals—they almost certainly will at times! But your main character should make these decisions. They should face obstacles head-on, adapt their strategies, and initiate change in the universe you’ve built. Avoid having your character passively wait for things to happen or be told what to do by mentor characters. Don’t rely solely on external forces to shape their fate. Instead, empower them to propel the narrative forward.
Consequences and setbacks
Agency comes with consequences. Allow your character to experience both successes and failures as a result of their choices and actions. Let your character make mistakes and suffer because of those errors. Consequences create growth, driving the character’s development and deepening reader engagement. The ebb and flow of consequences builds a satisfying character arc and creates a dynamic and meaningful story.
Internal conflict
Agency and motivation are not just about external actions. Explore your character’s emotions and internal conflicts. Internal motivation (e.g., love, heartbreak, the need for connection or independence, ambition, insecurity, faith, absolution, revenge, proving/accepting oneself, conquering fear, etc.) is a potent factor that keeps readers flipping pages to find out what happens next. Delve into the character’s emotional journey as the plot advances. If it’s unclear how your character feels about what’s happening in the book, readers might come to feel detached from the stakes of the book and stop caring about how the story ends.
Connection with your reader and inspiring empathy
A main character with strong motivation and agency can forge a powerful connection with readers. Readers will be on your character’s side and care about what happens to them. When readers experience a character actively pursuing their goals, they become invested in the journey. Empathy flourishes as readers experience the character’s triumphs and setbacks, fostering a deeper emotional bond and keeping them engaged in the plot.
Conclusion
As you craft your narrative, remember that a main character with agency has the power to captivate readers and drive the plot forward. By defining clear goals, leaning in on the stakes if your character fails, fostering conflict and consequences, and showing your character’s emotional growth through it all, you’ll create a protagonist who leaves a lasting impression.
Happy writing! And don’t forget: if you need editors who understand that writing is ruff, contact us!
