Person becoming the protagonist who I don't want to be the protaganist

[kiplothedungeoneer]

So, there's a character in the story who ended up being quite similar to me (not intentional, it just kinda happened), and they are becoming the protagonist. Or at least I'm scared they are. They're the stand in leader archetype, until the actual leader comes in, and as they're the most similar to me, so they're getting more attention. I'm trying to give them all equal screentime, especially the one least similar to me, and I'm trying to focus on the quietest one a bit more, but alas, Stronmun has ended up being the most significant character. Not by a long shot, but by a shot nonetheless, so how would you fix this.

Ps one of these guys are extremely quiet, and the other has basically no qualities I can relate to so that's a minor issue.

Oh no! I forgot to plug my comic! If you decide to have a look, please tell me who you think the accidental protagonist might be!

This is Home | Tapas

[LCT_m_a_d]

I would first explore the possibility. Sometimes things develop in a way that we don't expect but turns out for the better if we really reflect on possibilities and let go a little

[JRHoch]

This happens all the time; especially on American TV shows. They cast a lead and the some supporting actor steals the show and then needs more screen time. See Family Ties, Home Improvement,Taxi, Seinfeld....

[joannekwan]

Firstly, what is the plot to your story? Depending on the story structure, there can be room for multiple protagonists, like in the first season of The Expanse that arguably had 3 protagonists, since there were 3 large subplots that eventually merge..

[kiplothedungeoneer]

Well, by the end of chapter one there are 5 protagonist, (classic 5 man band) and i want it to stay that way, not have one dominate the story! I know its a normal thing to happen, but I want to keep them all equally important/relevant

[SleepingPoppy]

Ps one of these guys are extremely quiet, and the other has basically no qualities I can relate to so that's a minor issue.

Maybe you need to spend some time thinking about what makes the characters interesting to you so you have more to work with when you write them? How can you understand the one you don't relate to? Is there a character arch for the quiet one that could give more meaning to their time in the story? etc

[joannekwan]

If all are to be equally as important, do each of them have a complete story/character-arc?
It can be hard to juggle 5 characters like that. Even if you want them to all be equal, you'll find a couple might rise above the others even if just because the overarching plot calls for it.

[punkarsenic]

what choices are your characters making that affect the narrative? who is the most active?

it could be that to swing attention back to the quieter characters you need to put a bit more responsibility in their hands

[DiegoPalacios]

here are some ideas:

1-decoy protagonist: This character may seem to be the focus on the story, until a twist happens and they die/turn evil/dissapear/retires/whatever gets them out of the picture or out of focus.

2-A leader doesnt have to be a protagonist. Ex: in Xmen Cyclops may be the "standarized leader" but we all know Wolverine is the real star.

3-The other characters have other capabilities that can make them important to the story and are things the leader cant do.

4-Each story arc or chapter can have a focus on different characters.

[kiplothedungeoneer]

@SleepingPoppy
Oh, I'm into psychology, so everyone's interesting to me lol
But yeah, I see exactly what you mean, but I dislike the trope of introvert=bad. But, I do have other plans for him... mwAhHAAHAHA

@joannekwan, yeah they do, which is why I'm trying to make them all equal, but you're right, bigger personalities will inevitably rise above other quieter characters.

Really sorry if any of this came of defensive! apparently I have a habit of sounding defensive on the internet when I'm just trying to start a conversation, so please don't be offended! I'm taking all of your advice to heart : )

[elyss]

When that happens to me, I consider what might happen if I just let it be. My characters became a lot more interesting that way.

The idea of all 5 having equal parts sounds like quite the undertaking. Like @joannekwan asked, do they have prescripted arcs? It might be the best route for you if you aim to keep them equal. Keep in mind that all 5 don't have to have exactly the same amount of presence in every chapter. Characters fall back to give others the spotlight all the time. It's often for the best too.

[joannekwan]

Oh pssh! Don't worry about it. No offense taken!

I do think each character having an intriguing and unique story arc is important though if you want them to stand out and connect with your audience!

Take Sense8 for example, it has to focus on 8 main characters! While a couple are put into the spotlight for the overarching plot of each season, everyone is the star of their own personal struggles in their own story that could easily be standalone movies themselves. But how they're interwoven into the main plot makes their narratives all the richer, particularly when they do interact with the other main characters.

[elyss]

Sense 8 is a great example! The way they juggle eight MCs is reason enough alone to watch it. You can just see all the planning that went into weaving them together.

[kiplothedungeoneer]

Ok, I'll watch sense8! I have some of them isolated for some of there character arcs for simplicity's sake (i am a bad, bad writer) so they should all have there turn in the spotlight! Thank you both for the recommendation though. I'll defiantly watch it to see how they make 8 main characters work!

[rmdooley]

Consider letting it happen. Characters take on lives of their own and if you allow that happen it can make the story read more organic

[elyss]

They do and it's always so fun when they do. I wrote two characters and went in with one hating the other (for very good reasons), but now their relationship has taken on a more big and little brother dynamic and I'm really here for it. I swear characters can really surprise a writer.

[SleepingPoppy]

Oh, I'm into psychology, so everyone's interesting to me lolBut yeah, I see exactly what you mean, but I dislike the trope of introvert=bad. But, I do have other plans for him... mwAhHAAHAHA

Absolutely. Just because they're quiet doesn't mean their character arc has to be related to that quiet/introverted quality. I wasn't trying to imply that. I am a rather shy and quiet person in most instances of RL. I love stories that include quiet or shy leads, provided those characters are still given interesting things to do.

[kiplothedungeoneer]

Oh yeah! Sorry, I didn't think you were! Ik a lot of us are shy, so I just wanted it to show that. But yeah, he has plenty to do. Actually, he has a huge roll in the end! But thank you, I'll make sure he has enough to do

[Drewbie]

Kill off the character

[kiplothedungeoneer]

Good idea, but he’s a tad too important to the story to do that! Although it would be fun to try that with a story one day : )