Creating a character who feels alive isn’t easy, especially when that character is navigating one of the most pivotal weeks of their life. In Nathan Cartwright: Week to Remember, Nathan is thrown into a whirlwind of events that test his values, his relationships, and ultimately, his sense of self.
As a debut author, it’s easy to fall into the trap of wanting to create a perfect protagonist—someone everyone can admire and root for. But the truth is, perfection doesn’t make for a compelling story. Real people, including the characters I write, are complex and flawed, and that’s exactly what I wanted Nathan to be.
Nathan isn’t the “perfect” hero. He’s got doubts, insecurities, and makes mistakes along the way. He’s someone trying to find his place in the world, even when he’s unsure of what direction to take. It’s those internal struggles that make him human and relatable. After all, aren’t we all trying to figure things out, even when we feel like we’re in over our heads?
The key to creating a well-rounded protagonist is to make sure they evolve throughout the story. At the start of Nathan Cartwright: Week to Remember, Nathan is unsure of himself—he doesn’t have all the answers. But by the end, through his actions and the consequences of his choices, he starts to understand who he really is, even if it’s not the person he thought he would become.
One of the hardest parts of writing complex characters is finding that balance between making them flawed and ensuring they’re still likable enough for readers to care about. Nathan’s journey isn’t about being perfect or even having all the answers; it’s about growth, redemption, and learning that who we are today doesn’t define who we have to be tomorrow. It’s a reminder that even in our imperfections, we can still be heroes of our own story.