What If? For Authors

What if I don't know my protagonist?


Listen Later

Episode Description:

In this special bonus episode, Claire shares practical, story-focused advice for one of the most common (and frustrating) issues writers face: not knowing their protagonist. Whether your main character feels flat, unmotivated, or like a stranger you just can’t crack, this episode offers a clear path forward—with help from the Enneagram, of course.

Claire explains how understanding your protagonist’s core fear and desire can unlock their behavior, clarify their voice, and get your story moving again. She also walks you through the process of choosing the right Enneagram type for your character, using concrete examples to show how motivation drives everything from plot to emotional depth.

Plus, she shares an exciting update about her new book, Write Iconic Characters, and its currently-running Kickstarter campaign!

In this episode, you'll learn:

  • Why some protagonists “refuse” to follow the plot—and how to fix it

  • How to use Enneagram types to shape character motivation

  • What to do when you’ve blended multiple Enneagram types by accident

  • The simplest way to start creating a protagonist who feels authentic

  • Why writing your own Enneagram type can actually be a storytelling superpower

  • How to reverse-engineer your protagonist based on your story world or theme

  • What to do if your usual character-building methods aren’t working

    Back the Write Iconic Characters Kickstarter (ends Aug 8): https://liberatedwriter.com/kickstarter

    Support the Show:

    If you found this episode thought-provoking and helpful, please leave a review on your favorite podcast platform and share it with fellow authors. Every review helps more writers discover this resource.

    Access the transcript here.

    Happy Writing!

     

    ...more
    View all episodesView all episodes
    Download on the App Store

    What If? For AuthorsBy Claire Taylor

    • 5
    • 5
    • 5
    • 5
    • 5

    5

    26 ratings


    More shows like What If? For Authors

    View all
    The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers by Joanna Penn

    The Creative Penn Podcast For Writers

    604 Listeners

    Helping Writers Become Authors by K.M. Weiland

    Helping Writers Become Authors

    995 Listeners

    The Sell More Books Show: Book Marketing, Digital Publishing and Kindle News, Tools and Advice by Bryan Cohen and H. Claire Taylor: Self Publishing Author Entrepreneurs

    The Sell More Books Show: Book Marketing, Digital Publishing and Kindle News, Tools and Advice

    313 Listeners

    Writing Excuses by Mary Robinette Kowal, DongWon Song, Erin Roberts, Dan Wells, and Howard Tayler

    Writing Excuses

    1,289 Listeners

    SPA Girls Podcast by SPA Girls podcast - self publishing for authors

    SPA Girls Podcast

    99 Listeners

    Ink in Your Veins by Rachael Herron

    Ink in Your Veins

    138 Listeners

    Writer's Routine by Dan Simpson

    Writer's Routine

    305 Listeners

    The Rebel Author Podcast by The Rebel Author Podcast

    The Rebel Author Podcast

    75 Listeners

    Wish I'd Known Then . . . For Writers by Sara Rosett and Jami Albright

    Wish I'd Known Then . . . For Writers

    132 Listeners

    Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips by Savannah Gilbo

    Fiction Writing Made Easy | Top Creative Writing Podcast for Fiction Writers & Writing Tips

    1,425 Listeners

    The Shit No One Tells You About Writing by Bianca Marais, Carly Watters and CeCe Lyra

    The Shit No One Tells You About Writing

    763 Listeners

    Essential Guide to Writing a Novel by James Thayer

    Essential Guide to Writing a Novel

    355 Listeners

    QuitCast for Writers with Becca Syme by Becca Syme

    QuitCast for Writers with Becca Syme

    34 Listeners

    The Six Figure Author Experiment Podcast by Six Figure Author Experiment

    The Six Figure Author Experiment Podcast

    5 Listeners

    You Make Sense by Sarah Baldwin

    You Make Sense

    219 Listeners