Character Agency 101

5 Notes About Character Agency:

1. Character agency is a vague concept for many writers.
2. To put it simply, agency means the MC makes the decisions that push the story forward.
3. They can get input, but they must make the decisions and take the actions.
4. Show their thought process. How do they weigh their options?
5. EVERY character can have agency.

Agency is essential in every story, and without it, your main character is going to feel flat. A lot of authors get confused about agency, especially when your MC is quieter or stuck in a situation where they don’t have much control.

A MC does NOT have to be a badass in order to have agency. All they have to do is make decisions for themselves, even if they don’t realize that’s what they’re doing.

You give your character agency by showing how they actively decide to participate in the story. If they don’t have a lot of options, how do they push against their constraints? How are they controlling themselves if they can’t control their circumstances?

QOTD: If you struggled with agency and figured it out, what’s your best tip for other writers?

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