by Suzanne Lieurance
An essential component of any short story or novel is character agency.
Character agency refers to the ability of a fictional character within a story to make choices, take actions, and influence events in the narrative.
In other words, it’s about the degree to which a character has control over their own destiny and the plot’s progression.
Characters with strong agency are proactive and drive the story forward through their decisions and actions, while characters with limited agency are more reactive and might be primarily shaped by external forces.
Character agency makes characters feel more realistic and relatable.
Characters who actively participate in the events of the story and make meaningful choices are often more engaging for the audience.
On the other hand, characters with little agency can come across as passive or one-dimensional, which can lead to a less engaging and less dynamic narrative.
The level of agency a character possesses can vary throughout a story, though.
Characters might start with limited agency, then grow to take more control over their circumstances as the story progresses, or they might lose agency due to external constraints or internal conflicts.
Overall, character agency contributes to the development of complex and interesting characters, and it plays a significant role in shaping the overall quality of a story.
Here are some tips to help you develop strong character agency:
1. Create Clear Motivations and Goals for Your Characters.
Give your characters clear motivations and goals that drive their actions.
What do they want to achieve?
Why is it important to them?
Characters with well-defined goals are more likely to take proactive steps to achieve them, showcasing their agency.
2. Involve your Characters in Active Decision-Making.
Have your characters make active decisions that impact the plot.
Instead of simply reacting to events, let them take initiative and drive the story forward through their choices.
Each decision they make should have consequences that influence the direction of the narrative.
3. Give Your Characters both Internal and External Conflict(s).
Introduce both internal and external conflicts that challenge your characters.
Internal conflicts could be doubts, fears, or moral dilemmas.
External conflicts involve obstacles and opposition from the world around them.
Characters with agency actively confront these conflicts and work to overcome them.
4. Create Consequences for Your Characters’ Actions.
Make sure the choices your characters make lead to tangible consequences.
Positive or negative outcomes based on their decisions will demonstrate the impact of their agency on the story and the world around them.
5. Show Character Growth and Change Throughout the Story.
Characters should evolve over the course of the story.
Their experiences and choices should lead to growth, learning, and transformation.
Characters who adapt and change based on their agency are often more compelling and relatable.
6. Be Sure Your Characters Make Use of Their Skills and Resources.
Allow your characters to use their unique skills, knowledge, and resources to navigate challenges and achieve their goals.
Competence and resourcefulness contribute to their agency, as they actively leverage their strengths to overcome obstacles.
7. Show Relationships and Interactions with Other Characters.
Characters’ agency can also manifest through their interactions with others.
Show how they influence and impact the lives of other characters, creating a ripple effect within the story world.
8. Avoid Deus Ex Machina.
Characters should not rely on coincidences or external interventions to resolve major conflicts.
Instead, their agency should drive solutions and resolutions, making their victories earned and satisfying.
9. Give Your Characters Emotional Depth.
Explore the emotional aspects of character agency.
Allow readers to see the characters’ internal struggles, doubts, and triumphs as they take charge of their own destinies.
10. Be Consistent.
Character agency should be consistent with their personality, background, and growth arc.
Even if they start with limited agency, show their growth and development as they become more proactive throughout the story.
Remember that character agency doesn’t mean characters should always succeed or have complete control over their circumstances.
It’s about giving them the power to influence the story and face challenges head-on, ultimately making them more engaging and relatable to readers.
