All About Character Agency - Tips for Writing Active Characters
- Jenna Moreci
- 6 days ago
- 7 min read
HelloOoOo everybody!
Let's talk about character agency. Character agency is a term that gets thrown around a lot, especially when discussing how to create complex, layered, multi-dimensional characters. But not a lot of people truly understand what this term means. Which is where I come in!
This is a topic that was requested by one of my patrons over on Patreon, Laurine Bruder. Laurine is honestly one of my sweetest patrons, every time she shows up in our writing group I am so excited because she is smart, funny, and awesome, and I love her. Laurine wanted to know all about how to differentiate between an active and a passive character. This happens to be a topic that I get asked about a lot, so Laurine, you're not alone. I'm going to answer the ten questions I receive most often about character agency, just for you.
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Number 1: What Is Character Agency?
Character agency is the character's ability to make their own decisions, or take direct action that affects the plot of the story. When discussing character agency there are typically two types of characters that an author can create: an active character and a passive character.
Number 2: What Is an Active Character?
An active character is essentially a character with agency. They make decisions throughout the story. They take action and these decisions and actions affect the plot. For example, if your character sneaks out at night to enlist in the militia that's waging war against their corrupt government, then they're an active character. They decided on this course of action, and it's a decision that plays a role in the story.
Number 3: What Is a Passive Character?
A passive character is a character with no agency. They don't make their own decisions, and thus nothing they do directly affects the plot. Instead, a passive character is moved by other characters or the plot itself. For example, say your character's father enlists them in the militia waging war against the corrupt government. And the character just says, “Okay, I guess.” This would be indicative of a passive character. They didn't make this choice, another character made it for them, and they're just going along with it.
Number 4: What Are Some Misconceptions About Active Characters?
A lot of people are under the misconception that an active character makes all the decisions in the book. This is not true, nor is it feasible. One character can't make every single decision in the book, plus it would render the rest of the cast passive.
People also assume that an active character is in complete control of their life, which again is false. An active character is active because they make decisions for themselves when they can. They move the plot forward, as opposed to the plot exclusively moving them. An enslaved character can be active. A character forced into an unwanted marriage can be active. A character forced to do anything or live any kind of life that they didn't want can still be an active character, provided they make decisions when they can, and those decisions move the plot.
Number 5: What Are Some Misconceptions About Passive Characters?
People hear the word passive and take it literally. They assume a passive character is shy and submissive. A passive character can be shy and submissive, but that's not what we're talking about here. A passive character is just a character who doesn't make decisions that affect the story. Instead, other character’s decisions move them forward.
If you're ever confused, replace the character with an inanimate object, like a lamp. Lamps can't make their own decisions. They can't do shit unless a human being does it for them. A human can send a lamp off to a castle, a human can kiss a lamp without its consent. If you replace your character with a lamp and realize that everything that happens within the story is still feasible, though undoubtedly odd, congratulations! You’ve written a passive character.
Number 6: Can You Give an Example of How an Active Character Behaves?
I'm gonna use Tobias from The Savior's Champion as an example because I wrote him so I have a pretty good understanding of him. TSC follows Tobias as he navigates the Sovereign's Tournament, a competition that completely controls his life. There are specific trials and tests that he is required to participate in. It's non-negotiable. And I'm pointing this out because a lot of stories are like this. We writers like to put our characters in shitty situations they can't control.
Despite this, Tobias can still be an active character, and he does so by making the following choices. First off, he chooses to enter the tournament in the first place, because doing so would give his sister a better life. The plot literally wouldn't exist if you didn't make this choice, which makes it an active move.
Tobias defies the Sovereign. He throws challenges. He argues against the rules. He even chooses to protect some of his competition. This goes against the decorum of the tournament, which changes how people see him. He makes powerful friends, he makes powerful enemies, and all of this affects the plot.
And of course, Tobias chooses to pursue a relationship with Leila, a woman he's not supposed to notice. This decision alone sets the entire plot into motion. Simply put, even though Tobias is not in full control of his life, he's still an active character because his decisions directly affect the plot.
Number 7: What’s an Example of a Passive Character?
Instead of choosing to enter the tournament, let's say Tobias’s mom enters him into the tournament on his behalf because I guess she's an awful bitch. While in the tournament, Tobias follows all of the rules and regulations. He sees a test and trial, and he does as he’s told. When another man is in danger, Tobias watches on the sidelines. And when Cosima is introduced as the woman these men are fighting for, Tobias accepts this. When he wins a reward with Cosima and she asks to kiss him, he lets her, because why not? She’s hot.
This is how The Savior's Champion would have unfolded had Tobias been a passive character. It would have essentially been a story detailing how the Sovereign's Tournament works. The reader would follow Tobias as the tournament happens to him, and he goes through the motions. That's it.
Number 8: Why Are Active Characters a Better Choice?
Pretty much anyone you ask will tell you that active characters are the superior choice because they are far more engaging. Active characters are entertaining characters. No one wants to read about a goddamn lamp. Lamps are not relatable, lamps are not interesting, and lamps are not believable.
Even the most insecure, submissive people make decisions at least sometimes. I mean, hell, they wipe their own ass, don't they? I hope so. Remember, your character does not need to be Type A. They don't need to control everything. They just need to make some goddamn decisions. Active characters drive the story, they’re easy to sympathize with, and they read as multifaceted.
Number 9: Why Are Passive Characters Such an Issue?
Passive characters are an issue because lamps are boring as hell! No one wants to read that shit. Unfortunately, they pop up a hell of a lot more than readers care for. As writers we want certain things to happen to our protagonist, which is fine. But it becomes a problem when every single plot point is something happening to the protagonist, as opposed to the protagonist doing something for themselves. You don't want to write your characters as props, you want to write them as real, developed human beings with reactions and opinions.
Unfortunately, passive characters are far too common, especially when it comes to female characters. A lot of writers default to writing passive leading ladies, or female love interests that get tossed around by the story or worse, by the male characters.
“Women can't make decisions. Our little lady brains can't handle it.”
Please be aware of the message this sends to your readers. It lets them know that women aren't capable of being active participants in their own lives. And that's some bullshit.
Number 10: Is It Okay To Write Any Passive Characters?
If we're talking about your main cast, like the protagonist, antagonist, and supporting characters, then no. Is it okay for some decisions to be made for them? Absolutely. That's just a part of life, but they need to be able to make some decisions for themselves or else they're not going to come off as entertaining or believable to the reader.
However, if we look at background characters, people who rarely come up, or have very little bearing on the plot, then it's okay for them to be passive. And again, please be aware of the message you're sending to readers. If you don't have a single active female character in your plot, then readers are going to take notice and be pretty pissed, you big dick.
So that's all I've got for you today!
A huge thank you to Laurine for requesting this topic. If you'd like the chance to have a video dedicated to you, or if you want access to tons of other awards, check me out on Patreon. We've got an exclusive writing group. You get early access to videos. We've got a monthly livestream. There’s signed merch. It’s awesome!
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