Wattpad Rant

Every Character Is A Protagonist

I think this one is going to be more like a piece of writing advice than a rant. It's a very major writing fault that I've seen happen with the most popular writers on here. Even if you disagree with me and this might not be a problem to you, I guess it's something you should keep in mind when writing.


I think that in every book, every character is a Protagonist (a main character). The story just happens to focus on one specific character. What I'm saying is when you write, you need to know that not every character, no matter how big or small of a role they have, revolves around your character. This means that, in simplest forms, you can't make side characters completely agree to do what the main character says.


I found a book with a good example of this flaw in here, and I just want to quickly add that if you know what this book is, please don't mention it in the comments, as I would like to try and give this author the least amount of exploitation knowing that I'm pointing out a flaw. I will say it was a good book and it's a good author and I'm not meaning harm, it's just an example.


Basically, the main character was working at this resort, and due to the fact that she didn't want to run into someone while she was cleaning the hotel rooms, she sked a co-worker to trade floors with her. The character did this, I'll guess, around four or five times throughout the book. It semms fine, just someone asking if someone could do something simple for them, and they agreed, and that was it.


But what I noticed was that she asked this character, and they just went "Oh yeah! Of course! Sure!", every time (with different choice of words, of course, I just mean they agreed). it just bugs me because it makes me think that this other character, even though their name is only mentioned a very few times in the book and they have very minimul interaction and dialogue and no character development, they still stopped everything they were doing for the Protagonist. It seems... unrealistic.


The only thing I would tell you to be careful about when (and if) using this tip is that you can't give miniscule characters too much individuality towards a situation that makes them come across as rude. Every book should have a character the readers don't like, but not someone as petty as an under-developed, unimportant character.


For example, using the situation stated above, you wouldn't want the character to completley agree right away to switching floors. It makes them seem like they revolve around the Protagonist too much. However, you don't want them to say something like "What? Again? No! I've done this back and forth with you multiple times, and I don't want to lose my job because you keep switching positions with me!". Although this situation could possibly be handled like this is it were with a larger character, a small side character like this shouldn't give the reader any forms of distaste.


I guess in a way, it should be somewhere in the middle. (Once again, using the situation above) The character could instead agree to the Protagonists wants the first time, but give them enough emotion to feel unsure as to whether or not they think they should, and gradually build it up to them denying the request. You know, as if they put some thought into it?


I guess what I'm saying here is don't make every character revolve around the main protagonist. And although many people don't, it is still a common thing I see and I take it as the easy way out.


Does this help you? I've never given advice as big as this, and I'm just curious. Thanks!




TBTA