What if the protagonists just aren't that interesting

If protagonists aren’t interesting, the problem can be reframed rather than simply blamed on the characters. Possible responses: - Reassess stakes and goals: Make what the protagonist wants clearer, urgent, or morally ambiguous so readers care (Chekhov’s principle of desire and consequence). - Deepen interiority: Give distinctive beliefs, contradictions, history, or sensory detail that reveal depth (show vs. tell; James, Proust). - Increase conflict and change: Make obstacles force meaningful choices and growth—interest often comes from transformation (Aristotle’s plot unity; Campbell’s return). - Use perspective and voice: A compelling, unique narrative voice or viewpoint can render even modest characters engaging (Flaubert, Marquez). - Shift focus or structure: Secondary characters, ensemble casts, or thematic framing can compensate if the main figure is flat. - Embrace ordinariness intentionally: If the point is banality, make the mundanity philosophically or emotionally revealing (Munro, Carver). Reference: Aristotle, Poetics; examples from Chekhov and Flaubert illustrate depth through interiority and voice.