How To Write an Active Protagonist (and Avoid a Passive Protagonist)

What is an Active Protagonist?

An active protagonist is a main character who is not merely affected by the world around them, but affects that world too. Their actions, both internal and external, reveal their core character and give stories the momentum needed to unfold engagingly.  

Active protagonists have the potential to be leaders of the pack, whether that ends up being their situation or not. These include most protagonists throughout TV and cinema history.

However, writing this element is not as automatic as you might think. After all, plenty of effective minor characters are passive.

But if your protagonist is wandering through the universe, suffering its slings and arrows and wishing it’ll all work out fine; then the story will likely disengage the audience.

Indeed, many protagonists start off passive. Even the hero of a galaxy Luke Skywalker was once just an errand-running Tatooine farm boy. These protagonists unwittingly have greatness in their blood. And it’s the inciting incident that makes them switch, vitally, from passive to active. 

Without activation, such protagonists can make the most original and brilliant concepts seem half baked. So let’s take a look at some fundamentals, tips and examples when it comes to writing an active protagonist.