What are some personality traits I can give to my main character?

When you're building a character, there are two things you can never let yourself do. The first thing is fear the Mary Sue syndrome. Yes, avoid it, but if that's all you're thinking about "is she a Mary Sue or not?" she won't be the main character she had the potential to be. Let me put it this way: when building a character, you can't think about what your character will 'not' be - you have to think about what she 'will' be. You can have a whole list of things she isn't, "she isn't whiny, she isn't popular, she isn't beautiful, she isn't selfish", but we still won't know who she is. So don't worry about her turning into a Mary Sue. Instead, build this character like you're getting to know her. If you do that, she will turn out to be a very likeable MC. The second thing you shouldn't do is see personality traits as accessories or clothing items you can just slap on your character to make her more or less likeable. Rather, traits are the inner core of your character. They explain everything about her and will determine every word she says, every choice she makes, and her entire future. Don't just look at a list of personality traits, pick a few, and give them to your character. Get to know her and find out who she really, really is. Do this, and the personality traits will come from the inside-out, not the outside-in. That last paragraph probably sounded a bit vague - getting to know your character means filling out sheets with information about her. You don't have to do it in one sitting, or even in order - however you want. Here is the link to a couple I've used frequently: http://www.writersvillage.com/character/, http://www.eclectics.com/articles/character.html, http://www.epiguide.com/ep101/writing/charchart.html Lastly, for likeable traits, why don't you make your own list of traits you find admirable? Do you look up to someone who is quiet and reserved, or do you admire a socialite who talks to everybody? Do you like boldness, or cautiousness? and so on and so forth. The traits you're asking for could be 'likeable' to a lot of people, but if they aren't to you, it'll be meaningless. well, i've said too much already. good luck on your character!!! :))))

When you're building a character, there are two things you can never let yourself do. The first thing is fear the Mary Sue syndrome. Yes, avoid it, but if that's all you're thinking about "is she a Mary Sue or not?" she won't be the main character she had the potential to be. Let me put it this way: when building a character, you can't think about what your character will 'not' be - you have to think about what she 'will' be. You can have a whole list of things she isn't, "she isn't whiny, she isn't popular, she isn't beautiful, she isn't selfish", but we still won't know who she is. So don't worry about her turning into a Mary Sue. Instead, build this character like you're getting to know her. If you do that, she will turn out to be a very likeable MC. The second thing you shouldn't do is see personality traits as accessories or clothing items you can just slap on your character to make her more or less likeable. Rather, traits are the inner core of your character. They explain everything about her and will determine every word she says, every choice she makes, and her entire future. Don't just look at a list of personality traits, pick a few, and give them to your character. Get to know her and find out who she really, really is. Do this, and the personality traits will come from the inside-out, not the outside-in. That last paragraph probably sounded a bit vague - getting to know your character means filling out sheets with information about her. You don't have to do it in one sitting, or even in order - however you want. Here is the link to a couple I've used frequently: http://www.writersvillage.com/character/, http://www.eclectics.com/articles/character.html, http://www.epiguide.com/ep101/writing/charchart.html Lastly, for likeable traits, why don't you make your own list of traits you find admirable? Do you look up to someone who is quiet and reserved, or do you admire a socialite who talks to everybody? Do you like boldness, or cautiousness? and so on and so forth. The traits you're asking for could be 'likeable' to a lot of people, but if they aren't to you, it'll be meaningless. well, i've said too much already. good luck on your character!!! :))))

It's hard to say without knowing what the story is about and what kind of adventure she is going on. The best thing to ask yourself is: who will she be once the story comes to an end? Think about your character's arc. By the end she will be a different person because of everything she has learned and what she has went through, so use that to determine who she is to begin with. If she ends up a broken mess and unable to trust people, she would probably start off as somebody who sees the good in everybody no matter who they are or what they have done. If she ends up as somebody who is willing to kill people to save the people she loves, make her start out as somebody who wouldn't even kill a spider because she thinks it's cruel. I know those are bad examples but what I am trying to say is she needs to change so that the reader understands what she went through. Try not to just use suggestions other people give you. Creating your main character should be a task for you! I know it's really difficult, though. So far every character but my main one is fleshed out and seem more real than he does. Another thing you could do is think about every single person you love in your life. Write down three things about them you admire, something you wouldn't ever change about them. That should help get some ideas going. I want to know more about your story, do you need a beta? [email protected]