If you're worried your MC is too passive, try taking the MC out of the novel. Would the plot remain the same? Would everything still happen the way it's written? If so, your MC is merely reacting.
You need a MC that drives the plot. A person the whole novel would fall apart without. Then you've got the character we all want to read about.
So thankful for the reminder.
ReplyDelete:)
DeleteThat's a great thing to think about. Thanks for the suggestion.
ReplyDeleteHope it's useful.
DeleteThis is one of the smartest writing tips I've seen. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteGlad you think so.
DeleteI'll have to think about that.Great tip.
ReplyDeleteHope it's useful.
DeleteYikes! That's an important thought!
ReplyDeletePerfect, Sara. Perfect. :)
ReplyDeleteThat is a great tip, Sara. Definitely a quick way to evaluate a weak/passive MC! Hope things are going well! :)
ReplyDeleteVery well said, S.P. :)
ReplyDeleteHello! Visiting from JR's blog. This is a very good way to look at things. My MC is rather passive to begin with, and easily influenced by her older brother, but halfway through she makes a daring decision and the plot leaps forward. So I think I'm okay. Excellent writing tip.
ReplyDeleteA character arc from passive to self actualizing is a good arc. As long as there's still a way for us to connect with the MC at the beginning.
DeleteOne of the most useful writing tips I've encountered.
ReplyDeleteJust popped in from JR's blog as well :)
If only I could be so crisp and succinct. :) Dropping in from QOTKU's blog.
ReplyDeleteHi, Sara. I'm visiting from JR's blog. Nice to meet you!
ReplyDeleteI just read a post by Donald Maass on Writer Unboxed about how to go deeper into the emotional aspect of your character that was very good also.
ReplyDeleteHi Sara, also visiting from Janet's blog and read the Writer Unboxed blog too that Julie mentions above. I have 2 protags. I do worry about one who is action driven but does it work for the story.
ReplyDeletePopped in from JR's blog. That's some very good advice.
ReplyDeleteThat's really good advice. A good way to make sure our characters have depth. Could work for the villain too -- is he/she a cardboard cut-out meanie or a real person...
ReplyDeleteOoh, nice way of looking at it. Thanks for the tip.
ReplyDeleteStopping by from QOTKU blog :)
Hopping over from Janet Reid's blog,
ReplyDeleteWonderful advice! Immediately I thought if I did this what would happen to my m/s.
Visiting from Janet's blog! Great stuff!
ReplyDeleteGood advice, Sara. I've often thought about just killing off my MCs as a means of speeding things along to a resolution -- "and then they all died, the end" -- but that's not quite the same thing. :-)
ReplyDeleteAs you might have guessed, I followed the bouncing ball over here from JR's blog as well. Hope you're enjoying your break from blogging!