It’s a common problem for writers: Your main character starts to take on a life of their own, dictating plot points and making decisions that take you away from the story you’re trying to tell. In a post on Writers Helping Writers, Marissa Graff identifies four ways your hero might be acting out and how you can get them back on track.
- The Chatty Narrator. Once we get inside our MC’s head, it’s easy to let them take over the narrative. The problem is what they’re saying might not be germane to your story or even very interesting. They also have a tendency to over-explain. Read through your narration and moments of reflection to find these dead spots, Graff suggests. Cut anything the reader can figure out through the action or dialogue.
- The Tourist. In this case, your protagonist is new in town and your supporting characters are showing them around. You might need these scenes here and there, but the danger is that your supporting character is driving the action, while your MC is merely along for the ride. Make sure these scenes have a purpose and use them to further your plot or character development. Don’t limit the scenes to worldbuilding and information gathering.
- The Listener. Is your MC asking a lot of questions or spending a lot of time responding to what other characters say? While you might be using dialogue to convey information to the reader, these scenes can feel inactive. Make sure your dialogue supports the MC’s scene goal, Graff says.
- The Pity Party. No one likes a whiner. If your protagonist is using his screen time to complain about your plot, change his attitude. You can show your reader the MC’s difficulties without letting him/her whinge about it. “Instead, let their reactions to their circumstances hint at how they feel, how their situation is leading to a lack of what they need, and giving rise to reader empathy,” Graff says.
