What are some ways to show my protag's character without it looking like i'm trying to?

Question

He's kind of a bad guy, but got that way by circumstance. Deep down, he's got a good heart. How can I show this through situations. I've already shown him having a good relationship with his mother. Is this pretty much what I have to do - show him being sensitive and considerate from time to time.

I just don't want it to look forced. Some sporadic situation that's out of place.

Answer 1

Then you just have to do it through his actions in situations that evolve naturally during the course of the story.

Doug

Answer 2

Subtle action juxtaposed with some of the really rotten stuff he's done. Hard to give you specific examples without reading, but say for instance you build in a moment where he feels a moment of guilt or a nagging conscience through internal dialogue... for example he's about to shoot someone and thinks about the poor guys mother and then imagines what his mother would feel---since they have a good relationship (this would be a split second thought right before he kills the guy). That could literally be written up in about 4-5 sentences.

Answer 3

This is tough. If you give away too much, you risk your reader or audience feeling talked down to or treated like a dumb child. If you assume your audience is full of Rhodes Scholars, some of it may go over their heads. Write what you feel is best; THEN have a small group read or see it and judge from their reactions inf re-writes are necessary

Answer 4

It's difficult to answer this question without seeing your writing. Why not try posting your work on a writing website and get the other members to help you? I run http://www.abctales.com and we have 15,000 eager writers there who will help and assist you - so long as you, in turn, help and assist them. It's a real community and it's all free!