Writer Unleashed
Writer Unleashed
#248: First Impressions Matter: Introducing Your Protagonist the Right Way
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Your protagonist’s first appearance can make or break your story. That opening impression tells your reader whether they should lean in, or move on.
Too often, writers get stuck in backstory, mundane routines, or quirky details that don’t really matter yet. The result? A flat introduction that fails to spark curiosity or connection.
In this episode, we’ll cover:
- Why your protagonist’s introduction carries so much weight.
- The 4 most common mistakes writers make in opening scenes.
- 3 strategies to ensure your main character’s first appearance is memorable, relatable, and compelling.
By the end, you’ll know how to craft an introduction that makes readers care, and keeps them turning pages.
Join the Emerging Writers Academy before the doors close Thursday, March 5. To learn more, head on over to nancipanuccio.com/writer
Want to join a community of like-minded writers? Need inspiration and support? Join us in our private Writer Unleashed Community Facebook Group. It's totally free to join.