Writing Main Characters: How to Handle Multiple Protagonists

Does your book have multiple protagonists? There a few trucks that you need to know. These will help you create amazing main characters and keep your readers engaged.

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[KingJH]

authors: use sentence structure, flow, different devices and words to differentiate between characters
me: puts the character's name on top of the page

[stevstring]

Thank for the video. I’m struggling through my first book and have four main characters with one being the main main character. I knew most of what you were saying on some subconscious level, but it is SO SUPER helpful to hear it out loud and have it forced into my conscious mind. Keep lighting the way, my fellow writing nerd brother.

[randommindz]

I am trying to write my first story with 7 main characters (of course, one main main character) and possible 3 villains.

Dumb decision, but I want to go through it anyways for personal reasons. This video helps me make sure I am on the right track.

[veronika]

I understand that I probably can't write every scene from every point of view...but I think one doesn't have to be the MAIN MAIN but maybe the new person in town so we begin with their POV to introduce the reader to the world

[WritingJesus]

This is incredible! Writing a scene three times through three different characters would be a super fun project! I play with a little bit of this because I'm having my characters tell a PI what happened as a flashback in first person.

[jerrysstories]

This vid made me realize that in my novel (proceeds from which I'm currently living on), I unconsciously did something very right while writing my characters. I have to main characters, one of whom frequently daydreams about the past that he misses and the future he lusts for, while the other main character avoid thinking of the past, never thinks about the future, and is pretty much always focused on the problem immediately in front of him. This creates a palpable difference in the tone and feel of their POV chapters.

[thefellowshipreforged]

I love that 'inner Stephen King' motto cause I've always felt that everyone has an inner genius most people just dont know how to channel it or were taught to suppress it.

[fasticarus]

My story will follow up to 20+ main characters and as the story goes on, certain characters will go in and out of focus as MCs. The main characters will consist of good guys, antiheroes, and villains, so whomever I choose to follow, the story will cater to their perspective and morals. I also don't like the idea of sticking to a first person or third person narrative constantly. I'll be alternating between them, so certain character's goals and ideas will be questioned; leading to uncertainty and tension among everyone. These tips are really helpful.

[facemaster]

Yo, I’m trying to write one with eight!🤯 although I might be able to pull it off with this help. Thanks!

[mistrae]

My story has 8ish protagonists but my story is narrated by a dead character who has an overview of everything and can speak to the characters. She’s basically the voices in their heads. That way I can share the story in the least biased way while still knowing how the characters think and feel because she can going inside their minds. I’ve chosen to have 8 protagonists because they’re all very complex and other characters may not know that my antagonist is actually the antagonist.

[MiracleFilmmaker]

I am currently writing a script with two protagonists: the father and son. Both are antiheroes. The story explores the theme of poverty as a generational curse, with the son unknowingly following in his father's footsteps. The narrative also includes the grandmother and the younger brother. This cyclical poverty feels like a curse, and to break free from this vicious cycle, both characters feel compelled to cross moral boundaries.

[theversacelife]

These videos are really helpful. I’m struggling with a screenplay because I have essentially two main characters. The issue is there’s a Groundhog Day aspect where time restarts from a certain point. And only 1 main character is aware of it. So one main character has a positive change arch throughout the story. And depending on how they act in each time line the second main character develops a different way. This works for the overall Philosophical stakes of the film, but it’s hard to make it fit in traditional story structure.

[clintcarpentier]

10:00
My take on Hermione's POV if much like when I was a kid, and I needed to look up a word in the dictionary. It never ended with one word, I would spot a word in the definition I didn't know, so I would look that up; a dozen or so words later... I once looked up "the".


So the challenge of writing Hermione, is that she's a catalogue of information; she READS!!! Try this...


"X spell" does this this and this, can be modified by this and this, but not that. It is resisted by this spell this potion and these creatures. Because not to x y and z.


"X modification spell"...


I'll save you a full chapter and skip to the part of Hermione grinning in near orga... exposition satisfaction.

[Musicienne-DAB]

The point you made about how the words look on a page is excellent, and I will apply this to my current novel. You also have a great grasp of each Harry Potter character too, which is awesome. Great video.

[nadirawilde]

As usual, very well presented. Thank you!!

[goodgravel]

Ah, Mr. La Ronn. I really find your tips helpful. Your channel is going to save me. Thank you.

[trenchfry]

I'm writing a story in third person with four protagonists. There's a main character in the beginning, but the focus slowly drifts to someone else whose internal conflicts begin to intertwine with the main plot. In the end, everyone gets a slice of the glory, but each protagonist carries the story in a different way. I thought it would be too much to have four of them, but I can't remove anyone or else an essential element of the story is lost. Thank you for the advice! This will definitely help me write something that actually makes sense.

[ninor]

You're insanely talented and kindddd ughhh

[wiser.kinder.calmer.]

Thanks! Got 3 main characters on their own journeys but overall the same quest. Trying hard to have district POV. Slowly getting there

[stuffystuff]

Thanks for this! I’ve been reading Pokémon Adventures Diamond and Pearl/Platinum and it has inspired me to write multiple protagonists. Your points have actually shone light on Pokémon D/P/P and how it’s written. Thanks for that!!