1. Introduction
2. Defining Multidimensional Protagonists
3. Understanding the Power System
   1. Examples of Unique Power Systems
4. Core Characteristics of Multidimensional Protagonists
   1. Backstory and Motivation:
   2. Internal and External Conflicts:
   3. Flaws and Vulnerabilities:
5. The Layered Protagonist Exercise
6. Conclusion

Introduction

Now that you’ve made it through the introductory phase of Science Fiction and Fantasy, also called Speculative Fiction, you’re going to learn more about character and world-building essentials. Today’s post will be one of many that will cover character development. If you’re working within this genre, and hung in with us this long, then you know the important role characters play in fantasy and science fiction novels.

Introducing multidimensional protagonists with unique powers is more about who they are as a person rather than the Science Fiction and Fantasy aspects of the story. These characters have depth, with flaws, weaknesses, and specific traits that make them relatable. Creating complexity in your character is crucial, and adding a Speculative Fiction aspect to your story can enhance this complexity. Today, we will help you write a multidimensional protagonist with unique powers by tying all of these elements together.

Defining Multidimensional Protagonists

So what makes a character a multidimensional protagonist? A multidimensional protagonist is defined as a character who has a physical appearance, ways that they act, ways that they interact with others, and a WHY they do what they do. Your protagonist will also have the emotional depth to include strengths, inner conflicts, and flaws. That’s a nice complex definition, so let’s try to simplify it.

A multidimensional protagonist is a character that has close to as many layers as a real person.

Like ogres, your character should be an onion that your reader peel away each layer with tears. Some of those tears will be happy, and others will be sad. That being said, it may sound simple, but if you’ve ever met another person, you know how hard it is to understand every layer and how it makes them who they are. By keeping this concept in mind, you’ll find your characters have a depth and complexity that will set them apart for your readers.

Depth and complexity are essential in creating relatable protagonists. These traits allow the audience to connect with the character on a deeper level, fostering empathy and understanding. By infusing a character with depth, writers can explore various facets of their personality, adding layers and mirroring the complexity of real individuals. A complex protagonist leads to more engaging narratives, allowing for storytelling opportunities that delve into universal themes and dilemmas. Overall, depth, and complexity humanize the character and form the cornerstone of immersive storytelling experiences.

Once you add a unique power as another layer to your character, you’re well on the way to creating the multidimensional protagonist you’re looking for. I know at this point you’re probably wondering when I’m going to get to the breakdown of developing a multidimensional protagonist. This will come below, but if that itch is too great, you can check out this article on Round vs. Flat characters, and then come back to see how to develop from there. Because before you can create your multidimensional protagonist with unique powers, you’ll need to understand the world they come from, and where those powers originate.

Understanding the Power System

Writing Science Fiction and Fantasy involves considering character development and how it connects to the world you create.

Why?

Because just as much as your world influences you, your choices, and your beliefs, so does the world your character lives in. For this part of the world-building, we’ll focus on power systems, whether that’s tech or magic, and why those interactions with those systems are important.

The benefits to building a well-structured power system are that you can determine how the system affects the day-to-day life of characters, what types of conflicts it creates, and what taboos come from the system.

Day in the life short stories are a great way to work out your power system. Once you’ve established what your power system is, science, magic, or societal structure, then you can choose people at random to write a quick 1000 word story to help you understand what they would do. At first, go with the characters that come to mind first, and then try to choose a character from each walk of life to help you understand your entire power system. The things you’re looking for in your power system in day-to-day life are what part of the system makes your character’s life easier, what things they take for granted, and how they see themselves and others. As you’re answering these questions, you’ll find the things your protagonist may or may not notice as they progress through the story.

One of the things I forget sometimes is that the characters we write are still experiencing day-to-day thoughts as they progress through the story plot. Your power system will directly play into that.

A great example of this comes from the Harry Potter Series, especially when you focus on Arthur Weasley and his obsession with “muggle” items. This isn’t just a way to add characterization to the side character, but also shows the different things that the magical world takes for granted, like a clock that tells you where everyone in the family is, to the real world, where everyone is connected by phone and mail. The power system shown throughout the day in the life reveals more to readers and characters about the differences between their two worlds.

Differences are the key to conflict, external and internal. The use, effect, and requirements of your power systems should create conflict in your characters and the world they inhabit. People always joke about first-world problems and such, but it’s a true thing that people in different situations complain about different things. The power system you’ve created for your world will directly affect what your characters complain about. These can also lead to power dynamics and social standings. All of these tying into your character means that wherever they stand in their respective societal chain affects their disposition and outlook on life. A character who is a master of the power system will face different internal and external conflicts than someone who is just learning the basics.

Examples of Unique Power Systems

When it comes to unique power systems in science fiction and fantasy, there are several standout examples that have captured the imagination of readers and viewers alike. One of the most iconic power systems in science fiction is found in Frank Herbert’s “Dune” series, where characters harness the power of the spice melange to gain heightened awareness and mental abilities. This complex and intricate power system is central to the plot and world-building of the series, making it a truly unique and compelling element of the narrative.

Another notable example can be found in Brandon Sanderson’s “Mistborn” series, where characters known as Allomancers and Feruchemists possess distinct and fascinating abilities based on their interactions with different metals. Sanderson’s carefully constructed magic system adds a layer of depth and complexity to the story, weaving these powers into the fabric of the world in a way that feels both original and captivating.

Moving on to the realm of fantasy, J.K. Rowling’s “Harry Potter” series introduces readers to the wizarding world, where magic is not just a fantastical element, but a fully developed system with its own rules and limitations. From spells and potions to magical creatures, the power system in the “Harry Potter” universe is richly detailed and plays a pivotal role in the adventures of the beloved characters.

These are just a few examples of popular works in science fiction and fantasy that feature unique and compelling power systems, each contributing to the overall richness and appeal of their respective narratives. Whether it’s the enigmatic spice melange in “Dune,” the intricate metal-based powers in “Mistborn,” or the magical realm of wizards in “Harry Potter,” these power systems all contribute to the immersive and captivating nature of their respective fictional worlds. Do you have any that come to mind not listed here? If so, add them to the comment section!

Core Characteristics of Multidimensional Protagonists

As we’ve started to address multidimensional characters there have been three core characteristics expected: compelling backstory and motivation, internal and external conflicts, and flaws and vulnerabilities. There’s an art to combining these that takes practice and application, but let’s look at each of these individually.

Backstory and Motivation:

A multidimensional protagonist is shaped by their backstory and motivation, which are core characteristics that enhance their depth and relatability to the audience. The backstory provides essential context about the character’s experiences, traumas, or influential events that have shaped their personality and decisions. On the other hand, the motivation drives the protagonist’s actions, goals, and desires, serving as a compelling force that propels the character through the story. Together, these elements enrich the multidimensionality of the protagonist, making them more complex, realistic, and engaging to the audience.

Internal and External Conflicts:

A multidimensional protagonist is enriched by both internal and external conflicts, which contribute to their depth and relatability. Internal conflicts, such as personal struggles or moral dilemmas, highlight the character’s emotional journey and inner turmoil. In contrast, external conflicts, such as societal pressures or antagonistic forces, test the character’s resilience and determination. By embracing these core characteristics, the protagonist becomes more dynamic, evolving in response to the challenges they face. Integrating internal and external conflicts allows the audience to connect with the protagonist on a profound level, fostering a compelling narrative that resonates with readers or viewers.

Flaws and Vulnerabilities:

Flaws and vulnerabilities are crucial characteristics of multidimensional protagonists. These imperfections humanize the character, making them relatable and engaging to the audience. By showcasing their struggles and shortcomings, the protagonist becomes more realistic and provides the opportunity for growth and development throughout the narrative. Additionally, these flaws often drive the plot forward, creating conflict and adding depth to the storytelling. Embracing these imperfections is essential for crafting a compelling and authentic multidimensional protagonist.

The Layered Protagonist Exercise

For this exercise, you’ll be peeling back the layers of a potential protagonist character to develop their multidimensionality and unique power.

1. Core Identity: Start by establishing the core identity of your character. What is their name, age, gender, physical description? Jot down a few key personality traits as well.
2. Backstory: Now it’s time to give your character a rich backstory. Where did they grow up? What was their family situation like? Any defining moments, traumas or pivotal events that shaped who they are?
3. Motivations & Goals: What drives your character? What are their innermost motivations, ambitions and goals? How might their backstory link to these driving forces?
4. Power/Ability: Determine your character’s unique power, ability or connection to the speculative fiction elements of your story world. Is it genetic? Learned? How did they acquire or manifest this power?
5. Internal Conflicts: What internal conflicts, doubts, fears or flaws does your character grapple with? How might their power/ability exacerbate these issues? Dig into their psyche.
6. External Conflicts: What are the external antagonists, societal pressures or other opposing forces your character faces? How do these external forces compound the internal conflicts?
7. Vulnerabilities & Growth: Finally, identify key vulnerabilities and areas for potential growth. How might the internal/external conflicts force your character to evolve and change?

Spend 20-30 minutes fleshing out each of these layers for a prospective protagonist. By the end, you’ll have a solid foundation for a multidimensional character whose unique power is intricately woven into their identity, conflicts and potential story arc.

Feel free to explore these layers across multiple characters as well! The more you practice this exercise, the more your protagonists will leap off the page as vibrantly realized, complex individuals.

Conclusion

In the end, creating a multidimensional protagonist with unique powers is no easy feat, but it’s crucial for crafting compelling science fiction and fantasy tales. You’ll want to peel back the layers and give your character a rich backstory and driving motivations that make them feel like a real, complex person. Don’t forget the internal and external conflicts that test them to the core – those struggles are what reveal their true selves and vulnerabilities. And speaking of vulnerabilities, embrace those flaws and imperfections. They’re what make your protagonist relatable and human.

Tying it all together is integrating that unique power or ability into the very fabric of who they are. Whether it’s something extraordinary like harnessing the spice or more subtle like an affinity for a certain type of magic, that power system needs to shape their identity and experiences. It’s an intricate dance of characterization, one that takes practice to get right. But when you nail that multidimensional protagonist with a power that’s utterly them? That’s when the real magic happens on the page. Your readers will be captivated by a hero who feels amazingly real. So keep layering on those dimensions, developing those unique powers, and pouring your heart into protagonists your audience will never forget.

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