So I'm thinking of writing a post-apocalypse story, and I was wondering about who the man character would be. Is it to cliche to make the main character a soldier? If so, who should the man character be?
The main character should have enough power and freedom to act, and to see and be involved in the main action. For this reason, a warlord-king would be a poor choice, because such a leader is virtually a prisoner of his court. If he isn't there watching his little kingdom, he will lose it. Likewise, a soldier also has very little freedom to act, unless he becomes separated from his regiment. But the main character need not be the one who moves the great events. He or she may be a wanderer with the freedom to move throughout the story and observewhat is taking place. The choice of a good main character is one of the most important decision a writer must make in telling a story. No one can make that choice for you.
Agree with all of the above. Maybe he's just an average guy that becomes extraordinary through the story. People have more potential than they know. When you are thrust into a situation that really tests what you're made of then all the outer stuff is burned away and true character shows through. Which can be good or bad. It's up to you if your character allows this to shape him for better or for worse.
