How to Make Sure Your Y/N isn't a "OmG YoU'Re Sooo STrOnG LeVi!!!" Y/N
We all know her, her perfection, beauty, and ability to always be the chosen one. This variation of the reader has become so popular and so overused we both hate her and love her. Most fic writers wish to move beyond this trope to give their reader more depth. Here's a few tips of what to do and what to avoid in order for yours not to come across as such
#1 Don't maker the reader the center of everything!!! The reader should move the plot, but not be the center of it. When everything revolves around them like the sun, including making characters act out of character for them, it makes them seem unrealistic. Instead, make sure they move the plot along without giving character arcs to the other characters
Note: Also don't make the reader a "watcher" of the plot either, changing nothing. The reader's existence should create a butterfly effect to other key points in the plot
Drop the love triangles- Unless the love triangle actually goes well with the plot, just drop it. Sure, most x reader stories include a central romance plot, but having every single character fall in love the moment they meet Y/N's "Large, doe-eyed orbs" doesn't make any sense. Have the attraction and romance grow naturally over the plot just the same as you would any other ship. One tip I have is putting the reader and whichever character they are shipped with in a situation where they have to confront their feelings, or give them something in common which makes them understand each other on a deeper level.
Appearance- Long lashes, beautiful sparkling wide eyes, and a teeny-tiny frame are all common descriptors of Y/N. She's always the most beautiful girl in the room and everyone loves her for it. What's the issue with this? You're writing x reader, which means many people are reading this hoping to feel as if they're living this story. The moment you give descriptors that may not match up with how they look irl, it takes them out of the story and maybe makes them feel insecure. Instead, try these:
Eyes- mention how the light catches the color without directly saying the color
Size- Avoid reference to size altogether, including height. Unless the character is so inhumanly tall nobody would be taller than them, avoid phrases such as "looked up" unless one is sitting down, the other is standing, etc.
Hair- Try not to have one character run a hand through the others hair, or use words such as "soft" or "silky" since many people have curly hair
Plot -related appearance- If something such as an unnatural hair color, a mysterious scar, or a strange tattoo directly affect the plot, go ahead and add them. This can add layers without making anyone feel left out!
Note: There's plenty of ways to still have the romantic interests compliment the readers appearance without directly giving specific details. Maybe they like the color of their eyes? How they smile? Or think a color suits them?
(Remember! All bodies are beautiful and you don't have to write a standard for your reader. Everyone should be able to feel as if they're living out a story no matter how they look!)
Damsel - in - distress- Often, in these stories the reader is put in situations over and over again where the big strong male lead has to rescue them in his arms. This is very common in fem! reader tropes and only enforces misogynistic tropes. Sure, it's fine for the male lead to help them once or twice, especially if it shows they care, but avoid making the reader seem helpless. Give them a backbone!
Too OP- On the other side of this, the reader somehow is simultaneously the chosen one and overpowers everything, thus saving the day time and time again. While you should make your leads strong, make sure they are written with flaws. Give them an inner strength as well as an external one
Don't have everything go their way- Yes, I said it, don't make everything happy. Often every little problem is magically fixed for the reader in these kinds of stories, without any effort from themselves. Allow the reader to work through their problems, and find ways to fix them on their own. If anything, this is very empowering for the actual readers who are reading the fic to see themselves as the ones able to solve problems!
Enemies- Yes, give your reader enemies outside of the central villain instead of making everyone love them. Try to avoid cliches such as someone jealous over the reader, unless they have a valid reason to be jealous. Give their enemies a reason to dislike them, whether it's because they're on opposing sides or grudges a little more personal
Personality- Now, this gets a bit trickier since everyone has different personalities, but here's a few tips:
Motivation- Motivation is a key factor for other personality traits, so make sure to give them a plot-central motivation
How has their experiences shaped them? -
So, in this case, the best way to pick the readers main traits is to focus on their backstory and points in the plot. Life has a way of shaping all of us.
If they lost someone important to them, it may make them closed off from others or super clingy
Maybe they had a bad family experience, which makes them either harsh or extra kind to others
Trauma? Do they use sarcasm to cope or are they serious all the time?
Bullied? Now they either have rougher edges or have a softness towards others?
Outcast? Now they make a place for others who are deemed different from society
Finally- Nobody is perfect and that's what makes us amazing! If you make the reader a perfect, flawless character who is loved by everyone, nobody will relate to that. Writing readers who are strong, capable, and are able to overcome the things facing them in life will truly give your readers an experience where they feel empowered and part of the journey instead of some picture of perfection none of us will ever achieve.
People want to see themselves, as well as a better version of themselves they can become, instead of something unachievable!
