Tony Tips Tuesdays™: Make Your Protagonist Struggle

Tyrone Tony Reed Jr.
Jul 1, 2025
4 min read

"Make your protagonist struggle. Victory is sweeter when it's earned through adversity."

That single sentence carries the weight of every great story ever told.

As writers, it’s tempting to shield our protagonists from the full brunt of adversity. After all, we’ve created them. We know their dreams, their heartbreaks, and their deepest insecurities. But our job is not to protect them. Our job is to test them—because the heart of every compelling narrative lies in how the protagonist overcomes what feels impossible.

This week’s Tony Tips Tuesdays™ dives into why struggle matters and how it transforms both the story and the reader.

The Purpose of Pain in Fiction

In real life, we grow through challenges. The same is true for characters. Struggle builds character, reveals flaws, deepens empathy, and gives readers a reason to root for someone. Without it, the story falls flat. Without a mountain to climb, there’s no summit to celebrate.

Think of some of your favorite characters. What do they all have in common? At some point, they were broken, tested, humbled, or challenged. Yet they kept going.

"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." —Dumbledore, Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets

Struggle is not just a tool. It is the crucible that reveals a character’s true identity.

Real Stakes. Real Growth.

When you let your protagonist struggle:

They become relatable. Readers see themselves in the fear, loss, and determination.
They become memorable. Pain anchors emotion. Victory etched with sacrifice leaves a lasting impression.
They become inspiring. Watching someone rise from the ashes sparks courage in others.

A character who gets everything easily never earns the reader’s respect. But the one who stumbles, cries, doubts, and still presses forward? That’s the hero we remember.

Writing Struggles that Matter

Not all struggles are created equal. Some feel forced or superficial. Others resonate deeply. The difference? Personal stakes and emotional honesty.

Here’s how to write meaningful adversity:

Tie Struggles to Character Arcs: The challenge must threaten what the protagonist values most—their core beliefs, relationships, or identity. This isn’t just about obstacles. It’s about internal transformation.
Build the Tension Slowly: Don’t rush your character through hardship. Let them dwell in discomfort. Let consequences linger. Let readers feel the weight of each decision.
Make It Personal: External conflict is important, but the internal response is what moves us. What fear does the struggle awaken? What lie does it expose?
Allow Setbacks: Don’t be afraid to let your protagonist fail. The recovery often makes the climax more powerful than a steady rise.
Anchor It in Emotion: Don’t just show what happens. Show how it feels. The emotional cost is what makes the victory worthwhile.

Examples of Earned Victory

Rudy (from Rudy): Lacks the talent for Notre Dame football, but trains relentlessly and never quits. His struggle makes the final moment on the field unforgettable.
Celie (from The Color Purple): Endures abuse, neglect, and heartbreak, yet finds her voice and identity. Her struggle is spiritual and emotional—making her victory a resurrection.
Rocky Balboa (from Rocky): A boxer with no shot becomes a symbol of endurance. He doesn’t even win the fight—but he finishes strong, and that’s the true victory.
Moana (from Moana): Battles doubt, rejection, and nature itself to restore the heart of Te Fiti. Her growth from unsure girl to confident voyager makes her journey triumphant.
Job (from the Bible): Loses everything yet remains faithful. His restoration is more than material—it’s about trusting through silence.

Writing Exercise

Think of your protagonist. Write down their deepest fear or insecurity.
Now create a scenario where they must face it head-on.
What’s the cost if they fail?
What will they learn about themselves if they succeed?

Use this to fuel a chapter where the struggle is personal, painful, and purposeful.

A Word of Encouragement for Writers

As a writer, you are the orchestrator of struggle. That may feel like a heavy burden, but it’s also an incredible opportunity. Through fiction, we get to help others navigate real-life pain, disappointments, and victories. We offer blueprints for hope.

"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning." —Psalm 30:5

Remember, the same way you must let your characters struggle, you too may have faced or be facing challenges in your creative journey. Rejection, doubt, dry spells. These are not the end. They’re your setup for breakthrough.

"And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience; and patience, experience; and experience, hope." —Romans 5:3-4

Keep writing. Keep trusting. Make the struggle count.

Final Thoughts

Victory is never sweet if it’s served on a silver platter. The best stories show us that struggle doesn’t diminish the hero—it defines them. As you craft your next scene, your next arc, your next book, ask yourself:

What adversity will shape this character?
How will the struggle sharpen their purpose?
What will the reader learn from how they endure?

Don’t be afraid to let your protagonist bleed, break, and crawl. Because when they rise—when they earn that victory—your readers will rise with them.

About the Author:

Tyrone Tony Reed Jr. is the author of the inspirational superhero novel series S.O.L.A.D.: Soldiers of Light Against Darkness™. This faith-driven, action-packed series follows teen heroes Kevin Edwards (Angelo) and Juanita Grayson (Angeline) as they battle demons, face impossible odds, and discover their true purpose as defenders of light in a dark world.

If you're looking for stories filled with hope, purpose, action, and supernatural battles between good and evil—S.O.L.A.D.™ is for you.

Order your autographed copies today at: www.tyronetonyreedjr.com/shop

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