𝐰𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐬 & 𝐭𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐬

creating a relatable main character

Why should my main character be relatable?

A huge part of hooking readers into your story is creating an MC they can identify with, someone they can imagine being or that they feel some sort of connection with. And really, this goes beyond main characters.

The more relatable characters across the board, the better!

Now, there are a lot of fun ways we can create relatable characters. We can make them love a certain food or a style of music. Make them super sarcastic or incredibly witty. Give them an interesting hobby or passion.

But here's the thing: not every reader is going to like drinking coffee or listening to classic rock.

Other readers hate sarcasm or think that witty banter is kind of contrived and unrealistic. Or maybe your readers aren't interested in playing baseball or Dungeons and Dragons or whatever fun, "relatable" hobby you gave your characters.

People are unique, different. We have varying opinions and interests, pet peeves and attractions. You name it. So how can you create characters that are truly relatable for nearly all of your readers?

There's one key you're missing, one key that–if left uncreated–can completely destroy your story's shot at success. Dun DUN DUNNNNN...

Have you made this huge mistake?

If readers think your main character isn't relatable, it's almost always because you've created a character that is just too darn perfect. They have struggles and challenges to face, but they do so with relative ease and grace.

They're also often prone to saving the world through skills and abilities that are either unrealistic or simply too quickly acquired.

These characters are called Mary Sue's–or Gary Stu's, for the dudes–and they aren't relatable because they aren't REAL. They don't have any internal struggles or personality and character flaws, which makes them entirely too pure and perfect to be at all relatable.

What are some key hallmarks of a Mary Sue or Gary Stu?

• They are beautiful. Or they believe they are plain, only to have a love interest tell them just how beautiful they really are.

• They don't fit in. Orphaned? Nerdy? Depressed? Lonely? Whatever the case, your Mary Sue just doesn't fit in with the world around them. They were made for something more.

• Their backstory is tragic. They were orphaned. A bad guy killed their friend/family member/teacher. They're poor and starving. They've been bullied. You name it.

• They're SO talented. Your Mary Sue is the bagpipe champion of THE WORLD. Or inexplicably a master assassin by the age of 12. Or something like that...

• OR they're so NOT talented. But for some reason, the whole world revolves around them and almost all of the other characters love them or are in love with them.

• They are the chosen one. 'Nuff said.

• They have no flaws. They may be clumsy, awkward, or have frizzy hair...but besides those "flaws", they're pretty darn perfect.

Relatable characters NEED real flaws.

Alright, raise your hand if you've ever read a novel where the main character's only "flaw" is their shyness? Their nerdiness? Their plain face? Their brooding nature?

*RAISES HAND SO HIGH*

These "flaws" aren't flaws, not in the least bit. They're quirks! And it is absolutely a good thing to give your characters quirks (or to make them less than super-model pretty). Those things are relatable, too.

But what will truly make your character realistic and relatable are REAL flaws, personality traits or characteristics that hold them back from being the person they need to be in order to achieve their story goal and/or defeat the villain.

Take these flaws for example:

• Cowardice.
• Anger issues.
• Pride.
• Impulsiveness.
• Irrationality.
• Selfishness.
• Compulsive lying.
• Racism/sexism/homophobia/etc.
• Egotism.
• Obsession.
• Cynicism.
• Arrogance.
• Self-doubt.
• Paranoia.
• Greed.

As authors, it sometimes hurts us to give our beloved main characters some of these flaws. We want them to be good people. We don't want them to hurt anybody or to hurt themselves. But characters that are just too good are simply unrealistic.

And honestly? They make for boring main characters in most cases.

The key to mastering the key!

Giving your characters real flaws is the key to making them relatable, but how can we make sure these flaws are positioned for maximum impact?

By making sure they play a role in the effectiveness of the storytelling.

Most stories consist of character and plot arcs. Character arcs feature the inner journey of a character as they work to overcome a flaw (or as they succumb to one), while plot arcs follow the character's external actions to achieve a goal or defeat a villain.

So if you give a character a specific flaw, it's important to make sure that flaw serves as an inner setback for the character or that the consequences of that flaw create external roadblocks.