Greetings, Fiction Igniters!
Let me ask you something right out of the gate: when was the last time you fell head over heels for a fictional character? You know, the kind that sticks in your mind for years, like Atticus Finch or Katniss Everdeen? You want to cheer for them, cry with them, and maybe even be them. That connection—that spark—is the secret sauce that makes readers devour a book in one sitting. So, how do you create heroes who feel as real as your best friend and as unforgettable as your first heartbreak? Buckle up, my Literary Pyromaniacs, because we’re diving into the fiery heart of creating relatable protagonists.
8. Give Them a Flaw (Or Three!)
Here’s the thing: perfect people are boring. Would you really want to hang out with someone who’s never spilled coffee on themselves or made a bad decision? Neither do your readers. Think about Jay Gatsby in The Great Gatsby. Sure, he’s charismatic and mysterious, but he’s also tragically obsessed with an idealized version of Daisy Buchanan. His flaw makes him human, and it’s why we ache for him.
Flamekeeper Tip: Don’t overthink it. A relatable flaw can be as simple as being stubborn (Elizabeth Bennet), overly trusting (Frodo Baggins), or socially awkward (Eleanor Oliphant).
7. Make Them Want Something Badly
Relatable heroes don’t just drift through life like tumbleweeds. They’re driven by desires so intense they’d walk through fire for them. Take Lisbeth Salander in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo. Her quest for justice—rooted in a traumatic past—gives her laser focus and makes us cheer for her every step of the way.
Flamekeeper Tip: Dig deep into your hero’s core. What do they want so badly that it hurts? Love? Freedom? Revenge? Once you’ve got it, put obstacles in their path, light the fuse, and watch the sparks fly.
6. Show Us Their Vulnerable Side
You know what makes heroes relatable? Watching them struggle. Think of Sarah Connor in The Terminator. She starts as a waitress with no clue about her destiny but grows into a hardened fighter. That transformation? It’s not instant. We see her fear, her doubts, and her moments of weakness—and that’s what makes her triumph so darn satisfying.
Flamekeeper Tip: Vulnerability doesn’t mean your protagonist has to sob in every chapter, but showing their softer, more human side will keep your readers rooting for them.
5. Give Them Someone to Care About
Even the toughest heroes have a soft spot for someone. It could be a family member, a best friend, or even a pet (Hachiko, anyone?). This not only makes your protagonist relatable but also ups the emotional stakes. If they care deeply about someone, so will your readers.
Take Arthur Dent from The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy. His friendship with Ford Prefect—and later his longing for a sense of normalcy—grounds him in a completely absurd universe. It’s what makes him the Everyman we can all see a little of ourselves in.
4. Keep Their Dialogue Real
If your protagonist speaks like they’ve got a thesaurus in their back pocket, it’s going to feel fake. Relatable heroes talk like real people—whether that’s witty banter, stumbling over words, or letting their quirks shine through.
Flamekeeper Tip: When in doubt, read your dialogue out loud. If it sounds weird coming out of your mouth, it’ll sound weird in your readers’ heads.
3. Let Them Screw Up
Ever read a book where the protagonist is so perfect it’s like they’re floating above the story? Snooze. Real heroes make mistakes—sometimes big ones—and they have to face the fallout. Think about Harry Potter. That kid made so many bad decisions (Why didn’t he tell Dumbledore about those dreams earlier?!), but we love him anyway because we’ve all been there.
2. Show Their Growth
Nothing is more satisfying than seeing a hero rise from the ashes. Think about Walter White in Breaking Bad or Elizabeth Bennet in Pride and Prejudice. Watching them transform—for better or worse—is what keeps readers hooked.
Flamekeeper Tip: Growth doesn’t have to be dramatic. It can be as small as learning to forgive, standing up for themselves, or seeing the world in a new light.
1. Make Them Stand Out
Let’s face it: there’s a lot of fiction out there. Your protagonist needs that special something that makes them unforgettable. Whether it’s Holden Caulfield’s snark, Sherlock Holmes’s intellect, or Lisbeth Salander’s fierce independence, give your hero a unique trait readers won’t forget.
So there you have it, my Prose Pioneers! The firestarter’s guide to creating relatable, unforgettable heroes. Remember, readers don’t want perfect characters; they want flawed, fiery souls who make them feel seen and understood. Go forth and set your stories ablaze!
So, remember, until next time: don’t write, ignite!
