What do you do when you realize your main character you based your entire story around just isn't that interesting?

[aqua03]

Ever since I restarted work on DRGN I realized kind of big problem that's probably been one of the reasons it's taken me so long to start work on DRGN (other than my crippling perfectionism....)

The main protagonist, Flare, isn't that interesting of a character....

Sure, he's still a decent character and the story based around him isn't bad, but he's not a very interesting main character to follow around. He's kind of got a bad case of "character that is pretty cool, but is actually kind of a boring main character personality wise" in the same way Jotaro Kujo (which, funnily enough, was his primary inspiration) has during his stint as the protagonist in Stardust Crusaders.

They aren't bad characters, but they worked far better in supporting roles to the other, more spicy protagonists like Jouske. Flare kind of has the same problem of being a bit of a generic angry, hard-nosed edgelord grump who's a genuinely good person on the inside with strong convictions, and while he is perfectly likable and cool, he's just kind of there when compared to his more interesting and varied companions. And even though he is amnesiac and his quest for identity does majorly drive the story, Flare has accepted his situation and has moved on with his life, so it's not as big of a motivation for him when compared to other protagonists with amnesia. It also doesn't help apart from his amnesia and desire to fight evil, he really doesn't have that much of a goal in mind other than to possibly become a diplomat and ambassador in the future. His story is interesting, but the character isn't. (Also doesn't help that the villains lurk in the shadows for the first arc and operate mostly behind the scenes.)

So do you guys have any ideas on what to do when you encounter this problem? Thanks!

[NickRowler]

You sort of have two choices in my opinion

You can take time to develop the character so that he comes across more interesting.

OR

You can leave him and instead work on fleshing out the world/plot and using your "boring" character as a person who helps the reader navigate through the story. Like in the book The Great Gatsby, who the MC is is not really that important.

[aqua03]

Thanks! I was actually thinking of swapping protagonist/perspective character roles with a character who I find much more interesting while still having him be the leader of the group and keep the story relatively the same.

[skicoak]

So do you guys have any ideas on what to do when you encounter this problem?

What you're describing though is an actual storytelling device, not necessarily a problem.

Leaving your main character somewhat generic allows for the potential of a broader range of readers identifying with your character. In a 101 creative writing class I took, the teacher described it by saying that for every strong opinion a character had... the greater chance some readers would disagree/not identify with the character.

[DasIstWunderblyat]

My actual plan for my character who is boring (in another way, such in being pushover) is to be a "Connector" character between other more interesting primary characters.

Switching viewpoint and giving character arcs to the supporting character which still has the main character as influence maybe also help. Like the main character can be a bystander, narrating, or be the cause of the arc of other character (to make him still relevant).

[aqua03]

Yeah, that's what I was thinking with the viewpoint swap. The new main character is also an amnesiac, and she uses that to bond with the main character, Flare, as teammates and build a platonic friendship with each other through that. (who is an amnesiac)

[dawgofdawgness]

It may actually be the case that your main character IS interesting, but the scenarios you're putting him in and the characters he's interacting in don't make him seem very interesting.
Your character's gotta have SOME personality, right? Let's say he's a laid-back guy. That doesn't mean he's BORING. Pair him up with a rowdy, hyper support and your audience will really go "hmm wow, that guy sure is laid back!" see? Not bland. Or maybe throw your character into a situation where he's forced to stop being so laid back. Or a situation where his personality gives him a specific advantage (or disadvantage).
you characterize a character not by giving them random traits, but by comparing and contrasting him with other characters who are a lot different than the MC, and putting them in situations where their personality is brought out by the plot.

[beta1042]

Dull main characters are super normal... The usual remedy is to make everyone around them colorful, that way even if they're "boring" they still have interesting interactions with everyone else. Perfect example is that TV show How I met your mother.

[iamkamandi]

The character is not actually need to be interesting, it's the situation where you put him/her in. And if you want to portray your protagonist very interesting then you can actually show his evolution during the process of your story

[skicoak]

Dull main characters are super normal... The usual remedy is to make everyone around them colorful, that way even if they're "boring" they still have interesting interactions with everyone else. Perfect example is that TV show How I met your mother.

What are you talking about? Barney was a great character.

[beta1042]

exactly my point. Ted is the boring one.

[ar-ninetysix]

I think he was trying to say that Barney was the main character as a joke lol

[skicoak]

Yes... yes, with the trying.

[racarter]

In my experience, it’s less that they’re boring main characters and more they’re boring because they’re main characters.

My main, Roxanne, she’s not terribly interesting or exciting. Cassandra is the aggressive giant dork, Annika is the temperamental caring one, Priscilla is an arrogant know-it-all, and Hazel is the ridiculously adorable kid who’s a little too desensitized to violence.

But Roxanne? She... she works in an arcade and got saddled with a leadership position amongst her group of witches, none of whom respect her. She’s a smart ass, but often keeps silent and likes to appear unfazed by things. Overall she’s bored and fairly boring, which is what I always pictured for her but it’s also hard to work with.

At one point during my planning process I considered making her the Decoy Protagonist to focus on another character later. But I decided against it.

I realized that since we more of less see things from Roxanne’s perspective, or focus on her, we just get used to her faster. Meanwhile the other cast seems a lot more interesting in comparison.

So then I figured, well, give Roxanne a core principle that borders on fixation. In her case, tho not immediately obvious, is Individualism. She firmly believes in it to the extent she believes capability trumps everything else - like age, so she doesn’t treat Hazel or Priscilla like children even tho she’s an adult. She sees weakness as a personal problem that must be overcome personally, she’s fine with helping others and getting help from them, but firmly believes people are at their best when they’re strong on their own - not relying upon others.

This sets up something important for her in the future as well. Roxanne’s self of self is what makes her less boring. She doesn’t feel the need to group herself with others and define herself by said group. She’s a leader with terrible charisma, but because she holds the individual in such high regard she’s actually more compassionate than you might think.

So anyway, that’s how I ended up going with Roxanne. The way she was before? Boring. Now? She seems boring on the surface but there’s a lot more going on.

Also I thought to myself “what’s one quality I wish I could see in more characters / people irl?” It was Individualism, but one that was more inspiring and not arrogant.

Characters are hard. But odds are your character isn’t as boring as you think.

[Croik]

To expand on what @iamkamandi said, put your character in a situation where it is impossible for them to be boring. Throw them up against impossible odds and difficult decisions. Confront them with characters that overlap their characteristics just enough to make them reflect, but with enough differences that they can push against. Have him encounter something from his past. Or maybe more interesting, have him THINK he's encountered something from his past that turns out not to be. Let him question the notion that he's "over" his amnesia.

Let him fixate on something, let him make the wrong choice, let him face consequences for his actions and others' actions. More and varied experiences will help give him layers that make him more rounded.

[SeraphicMayin]

The advice given so far is really good. Especially as it's mentioned about contrasting your Protagonist with other characters of different personality and putting him in situations that make him act contrary to his personality.

See the problem is, many mix Characterization with Character.

What makes a lower-case-c character interesting isn't their collection of traits, both physical and mental (basically everything you can describe about them). That's called Characterization. It's who they are in a void.

Capital-C Character is how they act under pressure. You see, Humans are fundamentally conservative with their energy. Unless motivated (internally or externally) we're more than happy to do as we always have done instead of changing.

Now how do you put your character under pressure? Give them a dilemma. A dilemma is a very specific type of conflict. It's making them choose between two good things (thus sacrificing the other) or between the lesser of two evils (thus allowing one of the two to happen).

What the "good" and "evil" is depends on your character's attitude and perception of good and evil. Cause characters never do the "wrong" thing from their own perspective. So a conflict that's just choosing between right and wrong as the character perceives it, not the audience, is no choice at all and is boring. It's these sorts of conflicts that make for a boring story.

Instead, put something the protagonist cares about at stake. Have him risk losing it. Have him lose it.

It's how a character acts that makes them interesting. Not who they are when described.

[LordLacroix]

A thing that always work is put that boring character in a bad situation that he has never been before. And i do mean trouble. The reader loves to see how a character reacts to the unexpected. And even if the character is boring his actions will definitely not be. Just a hint when you get stuck with a character and it seems he is not evolving with the story.

[DiegoPalacios]

Sometimes a character can become more interesting when you take into account how he functions in different situations.

There are internal and external conflicts. Internal conflicts help to give more meaning to the conflict the characters are dealing with.

some examples of an external conflict: "If they don`t stop the villain the world is doomed.", "I gotta go in a journey around the world in 80 days", "I gotta pass the test to become a magician", etc....

Those can be motivated by internal conflicts or desires.

Some examples of internal conflicts: His grumpyness and temper may get in the way of his role as a leader, or making it hard to get along with the team and the people he rescues.....

(and his future role as an ambassador or diplomat too. He may be good at fighting, but does he knows how to keep peace?)

How does your main character functions outside of his comfot zone?, these kind of challenges can make the character more interesting. Is his cool and badass demeanor a facade to look like a strong leader?, does he has trouble connecting with people?.

Of course there are more examples thatn the ones i showed, so is up to you to see what fits better.

Another question, how does his life before the amnesia affects the plot or him as a character?. If he will have amnesia make sure is relevant in some way.

[unknown_user]

I'd suggest to reveal the hobbies of the character, or something from his past which will show him from new sides.

[aqua03]

Thanks for the advice! That'll definitely give me something to chew on while writing.

As for his amnesia, I was planning on having it relate to a possible connection he has with the villain's faction and the fact that the main villain (who doesn't quite come into play until a little bit later) having a special interest in him.