When it comes to my characters, I like to make them average in their abilities (if I'm writing pure fiction) but I focus on the thoughts and emotions of the characters themselves which is what makes them, to me, interesting. Because I write in first person, you see upfront how the character perceives the world around them, and every character/person perceives the world in a different light. That is what makes characters fascinating to me- the view they have of the world that surrounds them, rather than how normal or extraordinary their physical abilities are. ~Lynn
Now that I remember, the MC of one of my favorite novels of all time is an ordinary character, and a very lucky one at that. Yep, I'm talking about good ole Bilbo Baggins, who in the first place never wanted to abandon the simplicity of Bag End for the quest of the dwarves. I find these characters more likeable, for they are more like us, more real. I agree with everyone else (However, there are times I just can't resist the urge of writing an extraordinary character ).
I find normal to be boring. If I want normal, I'll introspect, or talk to my siblings. Why read about another person's problems when I have, basically, the same ones? Saving the earth, in general, is more entertaining than crying about your loser boyfriend. That's just me, though.
All my characters are normal people, I just hate it when characters are extraordinary or special. Fact, a lot of my own main characters are just really pathetic human beings. I just find it much more interesting when normal people are mixed up in extraordinary events.
I'd say you should go read it. The main character is actually a "part of the faceless masses." He's very un-extraordinary. It's very well written. Perfect example--I applaud Cogito for referencing it. ~Lynn
I dont think having a "regular" MC is rare at all. A lot of books are centered around everyday people and their "extraordinary" friends. There's nothing rare about it, so don't be afraid of it, OP
I have noticed one more thing. Perhaps a bit less in literature... but certainly in movies. Main characters are bland... Blander than many of the side characters. The thing is... they dare give the side characters some very unique kinks that would make them memorable, whereas the main character is the center of the focus anyway. I understand that a human being is an endlessly complicated entity with many controversies and different aspects, but still... usually you can underline some certain qualities that a person has. I say: don't be afraid to give your main characters some unique kinks.
I wouldn't call my characters extraordinary. Just a minority. Alternative. They are the sorts of people I would find interesting, but not necessarily everyone would, hence why they are the minority. But i love psychological and emotional explorations rather than the perfectly strong characters who do al they can through a sequence of action packed events and climaxes lol. Hence id rather watch One Hour Photo or Clerks than Die Hard or one of those all-so-dull-and-simple-horror films. Give me a character over plot anyday. Usually its the ordinary ones, who just have some little thing that make you love them, that are more likeable than the extraordinary ones. But it depends on the story and the writer and the reader really.
It's interesting to see how much this question divides opinions. I personally prefer to read and write about characters who are "ordinary", I just feel I relate much more to a character without extraordinary powers. Thats not to say that a well written fantasy story doesn't pull me in, but mainly I am drawn in more by realistic fiction. Thats just my opinion though.
It could seem the most popular opinion would be in favour of ordinary characters who go through extraordinary things.
Thank you. Realistic fiction is what I write. I notice a lot of people here seem to write fantasy, I always feel sort of like an odd person out because my characters are not vampires from the year 3000 lol. Not that there is anything wrong with that, it's just sort of funny reading the character development workshops and seeing how "normal" my lil characters are compared to most. I don't personally care for fantasy at all. *shrugs*
The wierd thing is, "extraordinary" can also mean "intriguing." Watch Slingblade (french-fried pataters mm-hmm) for what I mean. If the character is enchanting and interesting, they don't need to do much or be much to get our attention and get us trying to figure them out. Example, stolen and paraphrased from "How Not To Write A Novel:" The main character is a wealthy gold-digger, always on the hunt for the leatest high-profile sugar daddy to sponge money from. She's dynamic and active, and funny, but her mind is always running sums in the background and trying to figure out her next move. She passes a bum in a subway, whose sign says "need food. gOD bless." She pauses for a moment, her eyes check the rest of the crowd as though nervous they might be watching. She pulls out fifteen dollars and stuffs them in the bum's outstretched hand, then spins on a high heel and leaves before he can say thank you. She isn't smiling, and when she steps out of the subway and into the open air, she puts on her sunglasses so other people can't see the tears. By the time she gets home, though, she's all smiles. See what I mean? Extraordinary characters can be normal people. They just have to be so idiosyncratic and interesting that the reader wants to learn more.
The whole point of my main character being the main character is that he's a complete amateur general with almost no military experience, and finds himself as the leader of an army with squabbling commanders. I'm not limiting him to anything but what a novice would be in that situation.
