Crafting a Compelling Protagonist: How to Write a Main Character That Shines

What do all great main characters have in common? They captivate readers and make us cheer for their success!

Think of beloved protagonists like Jo March from Little Women, Katniss Everdeen from The Hunger Games, or Frodo Baggins from The Lord of the Rings. Despite their differences, these characters have something special: they’re deeply relatable, likable, or inspiring, drawing millions of readers into their journeys.

So, how do you create a protagonist that readers will root for? Let’s break it down.

What is a protagonist?

The protagonist is the central character in your story—the one readers follow most closely. This character drives the plot and serves as the lens through which readers experience the story’s events and emotions. Protagonists are also called "main characters" or "heroes," distinguishing them from supporting characters or antagonists. 

The key ingredient of a great protagonist

The key to a great protagonist is simple: they must be likable or sympathetic enough for readers to care about their journey.

Readers spend the entire story with your protagonist, so it’s crucial to make them someone readers can connect with emotionally. Without this connection, readers may lose interest in your story—even if the plot is exciting.

It’s not enough for a character to become likable by the end of the book. Readers need a reason to care about them right from the beginning. Whether it’s through relatable flaws, compelling motivations, or an intriguing backstory, establishing that connection early on is essential.

Tips for writing a main character readers will root for

Make your character proactive

The number one way to engage a reader in your story is by having the protagonist move the story forward. Many readers get bored and even frustrated or annoyed with characters who only react to the plot rather than proactively making decisions that move the plot along. This doesn’t mean your character can never react to certain situations, but most of the time, you’ll want to make sure they have a proactive role in the story.

Remember that just because you’re making the character proactive doesn’t mean you have to write a lot of action scenes or show them chasing the antagonist around town. Proactive means they’re doing something, even if it’s a seemingly small action. Let’s look at this example from the novel The Road by Cormac McCarthy:

With the first gray light he rose and left the boy sleeping and walked out to the road and squatted and studied the country to the south. Barren, silent, godless…

In this scene, the father’s decision to scout the barren landscape at dawn, despite the danger, shows his determination to protect his son and survive. Even small actions reveal character and keep readers invested. When you make your character take actions on their own, the reader will be curious to see where they head next.

Balance between "Everyman" and "Superman"

Compelling protagonists often fall somewhere between two extremes:

• The Everyman: A relatable character who reflects our own flaws, struggles, and humanity.
• The Superman: An aspirational character who embodies qualities we admire or wish to achieve.

For instance, in Khaled Hosseini’s The Kite Runner, Amir is the Everyman—flawed, insecure, and burdened by guilt—while Hassan represents the Superman, showing unwavering loyalty and selflessness. Readers see themselves in Amir and aspire to be like Hassan.

Your Everyman doesn't necessarily have to be human, either! Frodo from The Lord of the Rings is another example of an Everyman protagonist. Frodo is an ordinary hobbit thrust into extraordinary circumstances, tasked with the near-impossible mission of destroying the One Ring. He struggles with fear, doubt, and physical hardship, but his bravery and perseverance in the face of overwhelming evil make him a hero.

You can weave both qualities into a single protagonist, making them relatable yet inspiring.

Show that other characters like them

A simple way to make your protagonist likable is by having other characters admire or care for them. When secondary characters see the good in your protagonist, readers are more likely to do the same.

For example, in Rick Riordan's Percy Jackson and the Olympians series, the affection and support Percy receives from friends like Annabeth and Grover reinforce his likability, even when he struggles with self-doubt or makes mistakes over the course of the story. 

Give them problems to overcome

Conflict is the heart of any story, and your protagonist’s struggles are what draw readers in. The key is to create conflicts that are personal and specific to your main character.

Consider the difference between a privileged character with no real stakes and a single parent on the brink of losing everything. Readers naturally empathize with characters facing genuine challenges, especially if those struggles reflect universal fears or aspirations.

Conflict does not always have to be external, either! Internal conflict can also create a character who feels real and sympathetic to the reader. In Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, Jane’s life is filled with hardship, from enduring abuse as a child to navigating her position as a governess in a world where her independence and integrity are constantly tested. Her internal conflict—balancing her love for Mr. Rochester with her unwavering sense of morality—makes her struggles deeply compelling. Even as Jane faces loneliness, heartbreak, and societal rejection, her resilience and determination make readers root for her every step of the way.

Define strong and clear motivations

Readers need to understand what drives your protagonist—and why. A well-motivated character is not only easier to root for but also keeps the story cohesive.

Strong motivations are deeply felt by the character, while clear motivations are consistently communicated to the reader. Don’t shy away from reiterating your protagonist’s purpose throughout the story, especially if it evolves.

Consider these lines from Suzanne Collins’s The Hunger Games:

“I don't care if we're rich. I just want you to come home. You will try, won't you? Really, really try?" asks Prim. 

"Really, really try. I swear it," I say. And I know, because of Prim, I'll have to.

Katniss Everdeen’s initial motivation is protecting her sister, Prim. This changes to winning the Games to fulfill her promise to return home. Readers see her fierce determination from the start, from hunting illegally to volunteering as tribute. Katniss's motivations remain front and center, guiding her actions and creating a strong emotional connection with readers.

Create layers of flaws and strengths

Perfect protagonists can feel unrealistic or unrelatable. Instead, give your protagonist a mix of strengths and weaknesses that reflect real human complexity. Readers love to see a character with problems or conflicts. After all, without conflict, you don’t have a story! Problems will always draw the reader closer to the character and draw out their sympathy.

For example, consider Offred, the protagonist of Margaret Atwood's The Handmaid's Tale. Offred is a quiet but resilient character trapped in the dystopian regime of Gilead, where women are stripped of autonomy. Her inner thoughts reveal both her resistance to oppression and her hope for freedom, even in the bleakest circumstances. Offred’s passivity and reluctance to take risks for fear of punishment can frustrate readers at times. She often dwells on past comforts rather than taking bold action to resist Gilead’s oppressive regime. However, her small acts of defiance feel authentic, given the stakes, and her flaws amplify the danger and tension of the story.

Show growth and change

One of the most satisfying aspects of a story is watching the protagonist grow and evolve. Whether they overcome a personal flaw, achieve a long-sought goal, or find a new perspective, change is what makes a character’s journey feel meaningful.

In Little Women by Louisa May Alcott, Jo March undergoes significant growth over the course of the novel. Fiercely independent and ambitious, Jo initially resists societal expectations and struggles with her temper and impulsiveness. As she matures, Jo learns to balance her independence with compassion and compromise, ultimately finding fulfillment in ways she didn’t initially expect.

Her journey—shaped by personal losses, family responsibilities, and her creative aspirations—feels authentic and deeply satisfying. Readers are drawn to Jo not only because of her ambition but also because of how she learns, grows, and redefines her dreams.

You’re ready to write!

Remember, readers invest in stories because of the characters. A well-crafted protagonist serves as the story's heart, providing a lens through which readers experience the world. Without a compelling protagonist, even the most intricate plot risks falling flat. 

With these strategies, you’ll craft a protagonist who captures readers’ hearts and keeps them hooked until the final page. For a deeper dive into character development, check out the Level Up Your Writing course inside Writing Mastery Academy!