Do you know what excites writers the most? It’s when they start writing their story’s ✨main character✨. Most writers I’ve seen love to sketch their main character first, even before writing their first story draft. There’s something magical about writing the central character first — it’s like meeting your story’s soul before the world around them even exists. Because the lead character is the story’s heart and even a brain sort of— their personality, struggles, and journey shape the story’s plot.
And what’s more special about this character is that writers often pour their emotions, dreams, and even little pieces of themselves into that one character we call the “main character”. It’s like bringing someone to life from scratch — giving them a voice, character flaws, and a purpose.
Once the lead character is born, the story starts to unfold naturally. Perhaps that’s why writers spend years perfecting their main character’s backstory — from their childhood scars to the little quirks that no one else notices. Because once the main character is ready, the whole story feels alive.
In this blog, we are going to discuss in depth about the main character.
- Who is the main character in the Story? And who should be the Main character?
- How to write the main character’s profile?
- What are the essential traits of a lead character
- How to write the character arc of the central character.
- Should the story shape the main character or does the main character shape the story?
- Difference between the lead character and the protagonist and the hero?
- How to create multi-dimensional main characters?
Who is the Main Character in the Story? And Who Should Be the Main Character?
Many writers think they know who their leading character is — but the truth is, the main character isn’t always the one they startwritingfirst.
Who is the Main Character in a Story?
The main character is the soul of the story — the one through whose eyes readers experience the whole world. But if you are thinking now that oh “Main character should be the narrator of a story” So here is the fact for you, the lead character isn’t just the narrator or the person who appears the most always. He is the one who carries the story’s weight on their shoulders and the one whose choices drive the plot forward— even if they’re not always aware of it.
Who Should Be the Lead Character of Your Story?
Deciding who should be your main character is simple, A character who showcases you and your story the most, is the lead character of your story! No matter if your lead is a villain or a hero, a master or a noob. If he or she is you and most of your story, they are you and your central character!
Once you get the answer to this question then ask yourself these 3 little questions to confirm your lead character:
- Whose journey is this story really about?
Not who tells the story — but whose life is changing the most and impacting the story most? The moment you got this click in a character “I’m not just a part of the story, I am the story.” You’ve got your Lead. - Who suffers the most from the story’s conflict?
The deeper the pain, the stronger the connection between the reader and the character. - Who learns the biggest lesson by the end of the story?
If your character isn’t changing, they might not be the true principal character — just an observer.
How to Write the Main Character’s Profile?
What makes the central character’s profile different from any other character is that they either face the challenges first or get wounded by them the most (both physically and emotionally).
Many writers assume that the main character’s profile isn’t that important because the story naturally revolves around them. However, writing a good and detailed character profile is obvious for so many reasons and the first reason is because simply knowing your character isn’t enough. You must know how to shape and carve them into someone who evolves with the story.
A Basic Template to Write a Main Character’s Profile
A well-crafted central character profile goes beyond just physical descriptions or surface-level traits. It dives deep into:
Core Identity
- Who are they when no one is watching?
- What values or beliefs shape their decisions?
- What is their biggest strength — and their deepest weakness?
Emotional Wounds
Every great Principal character carries invisible scars.
- What past event left the deepest mark on them?
- How does that wound affect their choices in the present?
- Do they hide their pain or carry it with pride?
Dreams & Fears
A character without dreams or purpose is lifeless — and without fears, they’re boring.
- What do they desire the most?
- What terrifies them deep down?
- What happens if they never reach their dream?
Relationships with Other Characters
No character exists in isolation.
- Who do they trust the most?
- Who would they die for?
- What relationship do they fear losing the most?
- Who do they face/hate the most? (Here your story’s protagonist or antagonist a story comes from)
Inner Conflict
The most memorable main characters aren’t just fighting the world or the villain— they’re fighting themselves too.
- What is the one truth they refuse to accept about themselves?
- What lie do they keep telling themselves?
- What will break them — and what will heal them?
Essential Traits for a Strong Lead
There are countless character traits you can give to your main characters or heroes, and writers are not restricted to specific qualities. However, a strong central character should have a well-rounded personality that makes them not only relatable but also memorable and engaging. Here are key traits they should embody:
Authenticity That Resonates
They should feel real, with strengths, flaws, and unique quirks that shape their decisions and actions. Their motivations and emotions should be believable, making them resonate with readers. No, they cannot be the star of the galaxy that only shines. Writing a lead character isn’t about creating a Greek God but a human—one who connects with other humans through your words.
Emotional Depth
Emotion is the very reason you’re writing a novel! If your lead character is ashamed of feeling or expressing emotions, then you’re making a big mistake. A layered character experiences a full range of emotions—joy, sorrow, anger, love even guilt, which makes them more human than a robot. Their internal struggles should reflect the weight of their journey, adding depth and relatability to their story.
Charisma and Presence
Like, c’mon, we all love when a main character is main charactering, right? They don’t have to be charming all the time, but they should have a unique energy that commands attention (from both the readers and other characters). Whether through confidence, intelligence, or an air of mystery, they should leave a lasting impression.
The Relevancy in Every Step
All the steps and traits I’ve mentioned below—or will discuss later—SHOULD BE RELEVANT to your lead character. If there is no point in showing charisma, don’t show it. If there is no need to put emotions in certain scenes in your story, don’t force them. Even if there’s no need for extra drama, don’t add unnecessary subplots or mini-climaxes. Your character and story should always revolve around what truly matters.
For example, if you’re writing a male lead and decide to show him as slightly emotional, that’s fine. But if you make him cry in every chapter of your story, with or without a real reason, it only makes your character lose credibility and wastes the reader’s time with unnecessary details.
Character Arc of the Main Character
Like every other aspect of character writing, the character arc of a central character plays a significant role in the overall impact of a novel or story. A character arc represents the journey of a character—from the story’s beginning to the inciting incident and ultimately to its conclusion.
Every character, from side characters to the antagonist (villain arc), has their own arc as they also grow within the story. However, the leading characters undergo the most profound and monumental transformation of them all. This transformation can take many forms, depending on the type of arc your lead character follows. The three primary types of character arcs are:
Positive Arc
In a positive arc, the lead character starts with flaws, doubts, or limiting beliefs but grows throughout the story. They overcome challenges, gain wisdom, and ultimately emerge as a better, stronger version of themselves. This arc is common in hero-driven narratives where the protagonist learns important life lessons and achieves personal growth.
A great example of a positive character arc is Bilbo Baggins in The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien.
At the start, Bilbo is a timid, comfort-loving hobbit who avoids adventure. However, as he embarks on his journey with Thorin and the dwarves, he gradually discovers his bravery, intelligence, and leadership.
Through various trials—outwitting Gollum, stealing from Smaug, and negotiating peace—Bilbo transforms from a reluctant participant into a courageous hero. By the end, he returns home wiser and more self-assured, proving that growth and inner strength come from stepping outside one’s comfort zone.
Negative Arc
A negative arc follows the opposite trajectory. Instead of growing, the lead character falls deeper into their flaws, fears, or destructive tendencies. They may lose their moral compass, make irreversible mistakes, or become the very thing they once fought against. This arc is often used for tragic heroes or villains who descend into darkness.
In The Secret History by Donna Tartt, the protagonist, Richard Papen, follows a negative character arc as he descends into moral corruption and detachment. Initially, Richard longs for belonging and reinvents himself to fit into an elite academic circle. However, as he becomes entangled in the group’s dark secrets, his moral boundaries erode. He aids in covering up a murder and later becomes complicit in another act of violence.
By the end, Richard is disillusioned, numb, and haunted by guilt, yet unable to break free. His arc is a slow decline—from an ambitious outsider to a passive observer burdened by his choices.
Flat Arc
In a flat arc, the central character doesn’t undergo significant personal change but instead influences those around them like his supporting characters or other pivotal characters that are opposed to him. They start with a strong belief or moral code and maintain it throughout the story, affecting the world and characters in meaningful ways. This arc is common in stories where the protagonist is already a fully developed individual, such as a legendary heroes or wise mentor.
A great example of a flat arc is Legendary Sherlock Holmes in Sherlock Holmes stories by Arthur Conan Doyle.
Sherlock doesn’t undergo major personal change; instead, he remains highly intelligent, logical, and confident in his abilities throughout. His arc isn’t about self-growth but rather about how he impacts the world and people around him—solving cases, challenging societal norms, and influencing characters like Watson, who grows because of him.
While he faces obstacles, his core beliefs and personality stay the same, making him a prime example of a flat-arc who shapes the world rather than being shaped by it.
Tips to Write the Better Lead Character’s Arc
- Choose the Right Arc Type: Before developing your main character’s journey, decide which arc best suits your story’s theme. A positive arc works well for stories about growth and self-discovery like Jane Eyre, while a negative arc fits the narrative that explores downfall or corruption as Wuthering Heights. If your protagonist remains unchanged but influences others, a flat arc is the right choice like To Kill a Mockingbird.
- Align Your Lead Character’s Arc with Your Story’s Structure: Your main character’s arc should evolve alongside the plot structure you choose, not feel separate from it. Each major story beat—inciting incident, story climax, resolution—should challenge or reinforce their beliefs. Their struggles and decisions must directly impact the storyline, making their transformation feel earned. A well-aligned arc creates a seamless connection between character growth and narrative progression. For example, you’re writing a story that involves an inverted plot as a reverse chronology structure so your character will start from the end so it’s important to be clear about how you’re writing more than what you’re writing.
- Use the Law of Show, Don’t Tell: Let the character’s actions, dialogue, and choices reveal their arc naturally rather than explicitly stating their growth. The Show, Don’t Tell approach is more a writing technique than a character arc but it really helps in writing an effective and joyful story that lets readers grow with your lead character.
Should the Story Shape the Lead or Does the Main Characters Shape the Story?
Before actually diving into who should shape who it is more important to understand this question first, what’s meant by “Should the Story Shape the Main Character or Does the Main Character Shape the Story?”
Story-writing is done by two methods known as storytelling approaches, one is character-driven stories and the second is plot-driven stories. This question primarily depends on what storytelling approach you chose to write your story.
- In character-driven stories: The main/lead character shapes the story. Their internal struggles, choices, and growth drive the plot forward.
- In plot-driven stories: The story shapes the main character. External events force them to adapt, survive, or change.
So, it’s a two-way street—both the story and the main characters could shape each other.
The story shaping the main character happens when external events force him to change. Think of Frodo in The Lord of the Rings—he doesn’t start as a hero of the story, but the journey, challenges, and sacrifices mould him into one. The plot drives his growth, making him evolve.
On the flip side, the lead shaping the story happens when their choices and personalities dictate how events unfold. It’s more like a person himself decides to dig their own grave like Walter White in Breaking Bad—his ambition and moral descent don’t just react to the story; they actively shape it, turning a dying chemistry teacher into a drug kingpin.
Difference Between the Lead, the Hero and The Protagonist of a Story
In most cases, the lead, the protagonist and the hero are often the same person and serve different roles in a story. But these three roles and titles are entirely different from each other.
Suppose, the protagonist of “Jane Eyre” is Jane Eyre herself; she is the central character and the heroine of the novel by Charlotte Brontë. In that case, she has all three titles on her name but there are more “main characters” with her in the story such as Edward Rochester.
However, it doesn’t mean that every time your central person and protagonist have to be the same one. Here is a similar example of my Jane Eyre example, “Wuthering Heights” by Emily Bronte, in her novel the main character and protagonist was Heathcliff but he was not the hero of the story but the main lead.
Main character vs. Protagonist vs. the Hero
Many writers assume that these three titles are the same thing, they might be but their purposes are entirely different! (though they usually overlap) Before writing any of your characters you must clarify the fundamentals of storytelling, to save yourself from any blunder.
- The main character is the central figure through whom the audience or readers experience the story, not necessarily the “narrator.” A narrator can be a side character or supporting character who tells the story (like Dr Watson in Sherlock Holmes), but a lead is a person the story revolves around—even if they are not actively driving the plot.
- The protagonist is the personality who actively pushes the story or plot forward, facing the main conflict.
- A hero is a personality with noble qualities, but not all protagonists are heroes—some can be anti-heroes or even villains. While in many stories, the main character and protagonist are the same (e.g., Harry Potter), they can also be separate (e.g., Nick Carraway and Jay Gatsby).
It is rare to find a story where all four roles are assigned to completely different characters, as this can disrupt the overall narrative structure. However, this does not mean that these roles are identical or serve the same purpose. Each of them has a distinct function within a story, even if they sometimes overlap.
How to Create Multi-Dimensional Main Characters?
A multi-dimensional character is a layered personality with depth and complexity. A multi-dimensional lead is someone who feels real—not because they’re perfect, but because they’re layered, contradictory, and evolving. They are not just heroes or villains, but a mix of desires, fears, strengths, and flaws that shape their every decision.
They are not what they seem at first glance. Every action peels back another layer that reveals something deeper, darker, or shockingly unexpected. They make you think you’ve figured them out—then they shatter that illusion.
Take Hannibal Lecter, a cultured, polite genius who also happens to be a terrifying predator. Or Evelyn Hugo, a glamorous Hollywood star whose fame is built on secrets, manipulation, and sacrifices no one saw coming. Or even your best friend in real life, their laughter hides something, their silence speaks volumes, and their kindness has limits. Just kidding 😛
So, now you get the idea of a multi-dimensional character. You can say writing a multi-dimensional character is one of the parts of writing a complex character. Because their complexity keeps readers invested. Not just in what happens to them, but in why they do what they do. They make choices that feel human, sometimes right, sometimes painfully wrong. They grow, they struggle, and they surprise—not just the reader, but sometimes even themselves.
Final Thoughts On: How to Write the Main Characters
Your lead characters are more than just a figure in your story—they are its beating heart. Whether they undergo a profound transformation, fall into darkness, or remain steadfast while influencing others, their journey defines the essence of your narrative. A well-crafted main lead isn’t just someone readers follow; they are someone readers feel. By giving them depth, purpose, and emotional resonance, you ensure that your story isn’t just written—it’s experienced. So, as you shape your lead, remember: the stronger their presence, the more unforgettable your story becomes.